Sex steroid receptors profiling is influenced by nandrolone decanoate in the ampulla of the fallopian tube: Post-treatment and post-recovery analyses

Abstract

Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are recommended for therapeutic clinic, but their use has increased in recent decades for aesthetic reasons. No study has evaluated the impact of AAS in the fallopian tube, after treatment and recovery periods. Herein, the aim of study was to investigate the effects of Nandrolone Decanoate (ND), administered in different doses (1.87; 3.75; 7.5 and 15 mg/kg) on the ampulla of the fallopian tube in rats, following post-treatment (PT; 15 consecutive days) and post-recovery (PR; 30 consecutive days) periods. The control group received mineral oil. Estrous cycle was monitored daily during both periods and in sequence the rats (n = 8/group/period) were killed. All ND-treated animals showed estral acyclicity during the PT and PR periods, but the histomorphometric changes in the fallopian tube varied according to the ND dose level. The expression of AR, ERα and ERβ varied in the nucleus and cytoplasm of epithelial cells. No AR expression was observed in the stroma. The muscle cells exhibited variation in immunostaining. In conclusion, ND promoted histomorphometric and immunohistochemical changes in the ampullary portion of the fallopian tube after treatment and recovery periods in a dose-independent manner.

Nandrolone Decanoate: Use, Abuse and Side Effects

“…AASs represent a large group of synthetic derivatives of testosterone designed to maximize anabolic effects (such as increasing muscle mass and strength and reducing fat) and to minimize androgenic ones (such as virilization) [ 30 , 31 , 32 ]. There are numerous clinically proven effects: AASs promote stimulation of growth and maturation of non-reproductive tissues and maintenance of secondary sexual characteristics and reproductive function [ 33 ]. They also promote bone growth in both young and adult populations; and have long been used as a treatment for growth delay and osteoporosis [ 30 , 34 ].…”

“…ND decreased the serum level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone and estrogen [ 52 ]. ND also promoted histological alterations in female genital organs in a dose-independent manner, despite recovery from treatment [ 33 , 53 ].…”

“…They also cause biochemical modifications of prostatic secretion and seminal liquid. Most of these degenerative changes are partially reversible after treatment suspension [ 33 , 55 , 56 ].…”

Assessment of testicular steroidogenic enzymes expression in experimental animal model following withdrawal of nandrolone decanoate

“…For example, treatment with the same dose and duration of ND results in differential expression patterns in testicular steroidogenic enzymes at mRNA and/or protein levels [ 12 ]. Additionally, a differential expression of androgen and estrogen receptors has been detected in the ampulla of the female reproductive tract at a certain recovery period after the withdrawal of ND treatment [ 19 ]. Thus, it is reasonable to consider that different expression patterns of testicular steroidogenic enzymes to the withdrawal of ND treatment could be due to the divergence of expressional regulation, partly depending on the molecule.…”

“…However, others have demonstrated that the deleterious effects of ND usage on the histological structure of the heart, kidney, and testis are not completely reversible [ 15 ]. Additionally, the harmful impacts of ND on the female reproductive system, including estral acyclicity [ 18 ], histopathological changes in ovary, uterus, and fallopian tube [ 18 – 20 ], and aberrant expression of androgen receptor and estrogen receptors α and β [ 19 ] in the fallopian tube, are not completely restored within certain recovery periods. Despite contradictions regarding the reversibility of ND-induced harmful outcomes followed by the withdrawal of ND administration, it has not been examined whether the cease of ND usage could reverse aberrant expression of testicular steroidogenic enzymes caused by the exposure to ND.…”