[Animal models of chronic prostatitis: an update].

Chronic prostatitis is a disease caused by a number of factors characterized by perineal discomfort, pelvic pain, irritative urination symptoms and even sexual dysfunction, and histologically with infiltration of poly-and mononuclear cells in the interstitial connective tissue. Research on this disease has somewhat been hindered, for its pathogenesis and diagnostic criteria are not yet clear. Animal models can help to explain the pathogenesis of chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome. This article presents an overview on the advantages and limitations of rodent models in the studies of this disease.