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

Purpose: Androgens and estrogens influence voiding. In this study their target sites in the lower urinary tract of the male rat were identified. Materials and Methods: Cryosections of the bladder body, bladder neck, prostatic urethra, mid proximal urethra and prostatic autonomic ganglia of adult male rats were immunostained with specific estrogen receptor α, estrogen receptor β (ERβ) or androgen receptor (AR) antibodies. The sections were then examined under conventional, fluorescence or confocal fluorescence microscopy. Results: Co-expression of AR and ERβ in the urothelium, bladder smooth muscle cells, proximal urethra striated muscle cells and neurons in the autonomic 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 ERβ in the hormonal control of voiding is an intriguing possibility.