Prostatic and testicular hemodynamic changes in dogs with untreated benign prostatic hyperplasia and treated with finasteride

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of finasteride treatment on prostatic and testicular hemodynamic and vascular variables in dogs with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Ten dogs aged between 5 and 13 years were selected and assigned to two experimental groups: dogs with BPH (BPH, n=5), and dogs with BPH treated with finasteride (BPH+F, n=5). Three monthly evaluations were performed (day 0 – onset of finasteride treatment, day 30 and day 60). Testicular and prostatic volumes were measured through mode-B ultrasound; prostatic vascularization score (1-3) was measured with the color Doppler ultrasound; and the hemodynamic profile of the prostatic and testicular arteries was measured with spectral Doppler. A reduction of 35.2% in the prostate volume occured in the HPB+F group after 60 days of treatment, while in the HPB group, it increased 15.4%.Vascularization score on day 60 was higher in the BPH group (2.4±0.2) in comparison to the BPH+F group (1.6±0.2), suggesting that finasteride therapy reduces the angiogenesis caused by BPH. Regarding the spectral Doppler analysis, it was possible to observe higher pulsatility index of the testicular artery in the BPH group (2.1±0.2) compared to BPH+F (1.9±0.1), which is capable of reducing the efficiency of spermatogenesis. The remaining hemodynamic indexes presented no statistical difference. In conclusion, finasteride therapy reduces prostatic volume and vascularization. Moreover, the pulsatility index can be employed as an prognostic marker of BPH in dogs.