Pubertal anabolic androgenic steroid exposure in male rats affects levels of gonadal steroids, mating frequency, and pregnancy outcome

Abstract

Background Testosterone, nandrolone, and stanozolol are among the highly consumed anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs). Although the desired effects of AAS are being achieved by the abusers, unfortunately, this leads to numerous physical and physiological side effects. The present study was designed to investigate and determine whether early pubertal exposure to AAS treatment had detrimental effects on blood testosterone and estradiol concentrations, mating behavior, and pregnancy outcome during the pubertal period in male rats. Materials Early pubertal rats (PND41) were given two doses (2.5 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg) each of testosterone, nandrolone, and stanozolol subcutaneously for 6 weeks. Upon completion, three rats with the highest weight were chosen from each group for mating with the females, in a ratio of one male to two females for 10 days. After 10 days, all male rats were sacrificed to obtain the testes for weight recording, and blood samples were collected for testosterone and estradiol quantitation. Pregnant females were housed separately until birth, and the number of offsprings produced was counted. Results The results clearly show a reduction in reproductive hormonal and behavioral parameters between testosterone and nandrolone, and testosterone and stanozolol. Stanozolol administration exhibited suppressing effects in all parameters including testicular weight deterioration, serum testosterone and estradiol reduction, low mating preferences, and declined pregnancy outcome. Conclusions AAS exposure during the onset of puberty results in reproductive detrimental effects, which are postulated to affect the pregnancy rate.