Adverse effects of the anabolic steroid, boldenone undecylenate, on reproductive functions of male rabbits

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the adverse effects of the anabolic steroid, boldenone undecylenate (BOL) on reproductive functions of male rabbits. Thirty white New Zealand mature male rabbits were divided into three groups (10 rabbits each). Group A rabbits served as a control group. Group B rabbits received 4.4 mg/kg body weight (bwt) BOL 5% oily solution. Group C rabbits received 8.8 mg/kg bwt BOL. Rabbits were injected intramuscularly twice weekly for two months. BOL had no significant effect on the bwt and bwt gain. Testes and epididymis weights were decreased significantly in the BOL-treated groups. BOL caused significant reduction in serum testosterone level, seminal volume, sperm motility, and sperm count. No abnormalities were detected in the sperm morphology of the BOL-treated groups. Histopathological alterations in the testes and epididymis were marked in the group C rabbits. These results indicate that administration of BOL exerts a significant harmful effect on the reproductive functions of male rabbits.

Star anise extracts modulation of reproductive parameters, fertility potential and DNA fragmentation induced by growth promoter Equigan in rat testes

“…Our results were similar to those reported by Ciocca (2005) in athletes and Cannizzo et al (2007) in veal calves. Also, our results agree with Oda and El-Ashmawy (2012) and Thabet et al (2010) who reported that there was a significant reduction in the sperm motility and count after boldenone injections while no abnormalities were detected in the sperm morphology after boldenone injections. According to results from the CASA analysis, different motility patterns were identified after Equigan injection.…”

“…In agreement with our findings, Purkayastha and Mahanta (2012) reported a significant decrease in the FSH, LH and testosterone levels after nandrolone decanoate injections in mice. These results agree also with Mohammed et al (2016), Oda and El-Ashmawy (2012) and Thabet et al (2010) who reported a significant reduction in the total testosterone after boldenone injections. In contrast, administration of testosterone alone to bull calves did not induce any variation in testosterone (Simontacchi et al, 2004).…”

P53 Expression in Response to Equigan Induced Testicular Injury and Oxidative Stress in Male Rat and the Possible Prophylactic Effect of Star Anise Extracts

“…Our results agreed with Tousson et al [4] who reported that intramuscular injection with boldenone in rabbit has negative effect spermatogenesis and many of histopathological alternations in testes. The testicular lesions were similar to those described by Thabet et al [23] and Oda and El-Ashmawy [22]. Cannizzo et al [27] suggested that most of the histopathological changes seen in testis can be explained by estradiol, this was confirmed by the increase in estradiol level recorded in the present study.…”

“…Oda and. El-Ashmawy [22] and Thabet et al [23] who reported that; a significant reduction in the sperm motility and count after boldenone injections while no abnormalities were detected in the sperm morphology after boldenone injections. Cell damage occurs when there is an excess of reactive species derived from oxygen and nitrogen, or a defect of antioxidant molecules [24].…”

Effects of boldenone undecylenate on growth performance, maintenance behaviour, reproductive hormones and carcass traits of growing rabbits

“…Application of anabolic steroids leads to testicular derivatives (Hall and Hall 2005). This testicular atrophy (reduction in testes size in relation to carcass weight) could result from suppressed testosterone production (Cannizzo et al 2007, Oda andEl-Ashmawy 2012). On the other hand, Tawfeek et al (1994) reported that the difference in the testicular weight between the control and injected groups of rabbits was not affected by testosterone injection.…”