Abstract: In this paper the change law of Cyp17a1 gene expression in the process was studied, in which the rats’ adrenal secretes androgen after orchiectomy. The Cyp17a1 gene expression in adrenal and prostate tissues was detected via real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR on different time points, which were before orchiectomy and 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks after orchiectomy, respectively. The results indicate that Cyp17a1 gene expression in adrenal would increase after orchiectomy, and reach the maximum when 3 weeks after. That Cyp17a1 gene exists in rat’s prostate tissue was discovered for the first time. The conclusion is that adrenal have the function of compensation, increasing the secretion of androgen after orchiectomy. It is presumed that prostatecan synthesizes DHEA as well.

Key words: Cyp17a1, Adrenal, Prostate, Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR