A Systematic Review of Medical Treatments for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Dogs: Evaluating Strategies for Reproductive Function Preservation

Abstract

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition in intact male dogs and a leading cause of subfertility. While surgical and chemical castration are effective treatments for BPH, managing this condition in breeding dogs is challenging due to the desire to preserve reproductive function. This study systematically reviews medical treatments for BPH that maintain breeding potential. Thus, a comprehensive literature search was conducted across four databases (CAB Direct, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science) to identify peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2024, following PRISMA guidelines. Specific inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, and a risk of bias assessment was performed using a modified Cochrane tool. A total of 35 studies were included, evaluating therapies such as finasteride, osaterone acetate, tamoxifen, and others, with outcomes including prostate size, sperm quality, hormonal levels, and tissue morphology. Evidence suggests that osaterone acetate and finasteride are acceptable treatments for BPH in breeding dogs, in spite of a still debatable effect on some sperm characteristics. Therapies like tamoxifen and acyline should be excluded due to their detrimental effects on reproductive function. Further research is required for apparently promising approaches concerning tadalafil, anastrazole, mepartricin, and U. fissa.