Exercise and Supraphysiological Dose of Nandrolone Deconoate Increase Apoptosis in Spermatogenic Cells

Abstract

Anabolic-androgenic steroids are used at high doses by athletes for improving athletic ability, physical appearance and muscle mass. Unfortunately, the abuse of these agents has significantly increased. It has been established that exercise and high doses of anabolic-androgenic steroids may influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, which can in turn affect testicular apoptosis. However, the effect of the combination of exercise and high dose of anabolic-androgenic steroids on testicular apoptosis is not known. We investigated the combined effects of exercise and high doses of nandrolone decanoate on apoptosis in the spermatogenic cell lineage. Five groups of male Wistar strain albino rats were treated as follows for 8 weeks: solvent of nandrolone decanoate (peanut oil) as a vehicle (Sham); nandrolone decanoate (10 mg ⁄ kg ⁄ weekly) (nandrolone decanoate); exercise (1 hr ⁄ day, 5 days a week) (exercise); nandrolone decanoate (10 mg ⁄ kg ⁄ weekly) and exercise (1 hr ⁄ day, 5 days a week) (nandrolone decanoate exercise); and sedentary control without any injection or exercise (Control). Apoptosis in the male germ line was characterized by TUNEL, caspase-3 assay and transmission electron microscopy. The weights of the testis and accessory sex organs, as well as sperm parameters significantly decreased in the experimental groups relative to the sham and control groups (p £ 0.05). Germ cell apoptosis and a significant decrease in the number of germ cell layers in nandrolone decanoate exercise-treated testes were observed (p £ 0.05). Exercise training seems to increase the extent of apoptotic changes caused by supraphysiological dose of nandrolone decanoate in rats, which in turn affects fertility.

Transmission Electron Microscopy for the Quantitative Analysis of Testis Ultra Structure

“…The testis is surrounded by a thick capsule, the tunica albuginea, from which a conical mass of connective tissue, the mediastinum testis, projects into the testis [1]. The tunica albuginea is covered externally by a serosa.…”

“…Each seminiferous tubule continues near the mediastinum into a straight tubule, a tubules rectus. The straight tubules continue into the rete testis, a labyrinthine system of cavities in the mediastinum [1,2]. …”

The prostate after administration of anabolic androgenic steroids: a morphometrical study in rats

“…High doses of nandrolone decanoate reduce the volume of the testis and length of seminiferous tubules in rats (4). But studies of the structural changes in the prostate after AAS are scarce in the literature (5).…”

Hormonal stimulation of testicular function in patient with hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism due to androgenic anabolic steroids abuse (a case report)

“…Более того, согласно данным S. Shokri и соавт. [8], полученным в экспериментах на мышах, экзогенные производные тестостерона вкупе с физическими нагрузками индуцируют апо-птоз в клетках сперматогенеза и разрушают гермино-генный эпителий в яичках. Некоторые исследовате-ли полагают, что и сами по себе чрезмерные физиче-ские нагрузки могут приводить к нарушению спер-матогенеза [9].…”