Renal Alterations Induced by Chronic Testosterone Therapy in Adult Female Rats

Abstract

Testosterone esters are used in clinical conditions such as male hypogonadism. Additionally, it has been used to improve sports performance, increasing muscle mass in both genders, and to affirm gender identity by transgender men. However, few experimental studies have been carried out to evaluate the repercussion of testosterone on female rodents on renal function and blood pressure. Thus, the present study aims to evaluate the blood pressure and renal function in female rats subjected chronically to testosterone therapy. Adult female Wistar rats weighing 200 ± 20 g were randomly assigned to receive testosterone (T) or vehicle (control group ‐ C). Group T received testosterone cypionate (3.0 mg/kg, i.m.) and C received vehicle oil every 10 days for 4 months. Renal function and blood pressure were evaluated at 6 months of age. Urine was collected in metabolic cages for 24 h. Plasma and urine concentrations of urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, osmolality, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were measured. The kidneys were weighed, paraffin‐embedded, and histological sections were prepared to evaluate the glomerular area. When compared to C, the group T had higher values of BP [C: 119±1.0; T: 131±1.4; mmHg], lower GFR [C: 0.78±0.02; T: 0.67±0.03; ml/min/g kidney weight], increased proteinuria [C: 2.9±0.2; T: 6.2±0.9 mg/24 h], increased kidney weight [C: 1.8±0.04; T: 2.2±0.06; g] and glomerular hypertrophy [C: 7884±112.8; T: 8917±152.4; µm2]. Urinary osmolality and sodium and potassium excretion were similar in both groups. Testosterone therapy in female rats increased blood pressure and induced renal changes that may be related to adaptations caused by the hormonal treatment that carried female rats close to male physiological conditions.