Effects of an extract of Serenoa repens on dogs with hyperplasia of the prostate gland

Objective - To determine effects of an extract of Serenoa repens on dogs wi th prostatic hyperplasia. Animals - 20 mature male dogs with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Procedure - Dogs were assigned to 3 comparable groups on the basis of prost atic volume per kg of body weight and degree of prostatic hyperplasia deter mined histologically. Dogs in 2 groups were treated for 91 days (8 received 500 mg, PO, q 8 h [1,500 mg/d], and 6 received 100 mg, PO, q 8 h [300 mg/d ]). The control group of 6 dogs did not receive medication. Effects of trea tment on prostatic volume, prostatic weight, prostatic histologic character istics, radiographic and ultrasonographic assessment of prostatic size, res ults of CBC, serum biochemical analyses, and urinalysis, serum testosterone concentration, and semen characteristics were determined. At the terminati on of the study, all dogs were euthanatized, and necropsies were performed. Investigators conducting tests and interpreting results were not aware of treatment group of each dog. Results - Treatment did not affect prostatic weight, prostatic volume, or p rostatic histologic scores, libido, semen characteristics, radiographs of t he caudal portion of the abdomen, prostatic ultrasonographs, or serum testo sterone concentrations. Results of CBC, serum biochemical analyses or urina lysis, and body weights did not change during treatment. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance - Treatment with an extract of S repens for 91 days did not significantly affect the prostate gland of dogs. Advers e effects were not evident. Although products containing extracts of S repe ns are widely advertised for men with prostatic hyperplasia, beneficial or harmful effects of this plant extract were not found in dogs with prostatic hyperplasia.