Expression of Androgen, Oestrogen α and β, and Progesterone Receptors in the Canine Prostate: Differences between Normal, Inflamed, Hyperplastic and Neoplastic Glands

The expression of receptor for androgen (AR), oestrogen α and β (ERα and ERβ) and progesterone (PR) was examined immunohistochemically in canine prostate specimens (normal, hyperplastic, inflamed [prostatitis] or neoplastic). AR immunolabelling was seen in 100% of epithelial cells of normal and hyperplastic tissue, the corresponding figures for inflamed and carcinomatous tissue being 74% and 65%, respectively. ERα labelling was seen in 85% of epithelial cells in normal prostate glands, the corresponding figures for hyperplastic, inflamed and neoplastic glands being 35%, 22% and 12%, respectively. ERβ labelling was seen in 85% of epithelial cells of normal glands and in about 70% of such cells in glands showing pathological changes. On the other hand, PR expression (weak) in normal glands was observed in fewer epithelial cells (44%) than in hyperplastic (70%), inflamed (62%) or neoplastic (64%) glands.