ABSTRACT
Prostatic development occurs as a result of an epithelial-mesenchymal interaction, which is the basic developmental mechanism employed by all organs and organ systems composed of an epithelial parenchyma, e.g. male and female urogenital tracts, the gastrointestinal system and the integument. For hormone target organs of the reproductive tract, an additional layer of developmental regulation occurs via the hormonal milieu. Thus, development of the prostate is dependent upon fetal testicular androgens, whose effects are mediated via androgen receptors expressed in fetal urogenital sinus mesenchyme.
