Co-localization of androgen receptor with estrogen receptor beta in the lower urinary tract of the male rat

Purpose: Androgens and estrogens influence voiding. In this study their tar get sites in the lower urinary tract of the male rat were identified. Materials and Methods: Cryosections of the bladder body, bladder neck, pros tatic urethra, mid proximal urethra and prostatic autonomic ganglia of adul t male rats were immunostained with specific estrogen receptor tr, estrogen receptor beta (ER beta) or androgen receptor (AR) antibodies. The sections were then examined under conventional, fluorescence or confocal fluorescen ce microscopy. Results: Go-expression of AR and ER beta in the urothelium, bladder smooth muscle cells, proximal urethra striated muscle cells and neurons in the aut onomic ganglia of the prostatic plexus suggests that estrogen and androgen have direct effects in the lower urinary tract. Conclusions: The local interaction of AR and ER beta in the hormonal contro l of voiding is an intriguing possibility.