Prostatic tissue testosterone and dihydrotestosterone in African-American and white men

Prostatic tissue levels of testosterone and DHT were similar in African-American and white men; thus, the present data do not support a hypothesis of increased androgenic activity in African-American men. Because the ratio of DHT/testosterone in prostatic tissue was similar in the two groups, the possibility of increased 5-alpha-reductase activity in African-American men did not seem likely. Using needle biopsy specimens, both absolute values and the ratio of the androgens in prostatic tissue were similar to those found in previous studies using surgically excised glands. Thus, quick-frozen biopsy cores appear to be a valuable tissue source for evaluating the androgen status within the prostate.