Effect of anabolic steroids on reproductive function of young stallions.
Abstract: Thirty-two stallions were used to determine the effect of anabolic steroids on reproductive function. Stallions were assigned to one of the four treatments: 1) .23 ml sesame oil/kg of body weight (BW; control, C); 2) 4.4 mg boldenone undecylenate/kg BW (4E); 3) 1.1 mg boldenone undecylenate/kg BW (1E) and 4) 1.1 mg nandrolone decanoate/kg BW (D). Injections were given at 3-wk intervals for 15 wk. Semen was collected every other day for 3 wk before the first injection and at the same frequency during d 85 through 105 (d 0 = day of first injection). Libido was assessed on the basis of reaction time. Total scrotal width was determined every 2 wk. Serum was obtained at various intervals and analyzed for concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH). Portions of testicular parenchyma were used to determine spermatid reserves and to permit quantitative histological evaluation of spermatogenesis. Gel, gel-free and total seminal volumes and pH were not affected (P greater than .05) by steroid treatment. However, spermatozoal motility, spermatozoal concentration and total sperm/ejaculate were severely lowered (P less than .05) by all anabolic steroid treatments. Total scrotal width for stallions in the D, 4E and 1E groups was less (P less than .05) than that of C stallions by wk 5. The weight of the testes of the D, 4E and 1E stallions averaged only 40.1, 44.9 and 61.6%, respectively, of that for the controls. Spermatozoal production was altered, as evidenced by smaller (P less than .05) numbers of spermatids/testis and primary spermatocytes for all treated groups than for the controls. Anabolic steroid treatment had no effect (P greater than .05) on erection time, time to first mount, ejaculation time or number of mounts/ejaculation. treatment with anabolic steroids resulted in a depression in concentration of LH in all treatment groups.
Publication Date: 1982-03-01 PubMed ID: 7085517DOI: 10.2527/jas1982.543576xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This research explores the impact of anabolic steroids on the reproductive function of young stallions, finding that while they don’t influence libido, they do significantly affect sperm count and motility.
Research Methodology
- Thirty-two stallions were involved in the study to determine the effect of anabolic steroids on their reproductive function.
- The horses were divided into four groups, each assigned with a different treatment. The treatments consisted of various dosages of savage oil, boldenone undecylenate and nandrolone decanoate.
- The treatments were administered at 3-week intervals spanning 15 weeks.
- Semen samples were collected every other day for 3 weeks before the first injection and at the same frequency from day 85 through 105, with day 0 as the day of the first injection.
- The sexual drive of the stallions was assessed based on reaction time, and total scrotal width was determined every 2 weeks.
- Portions of the testicular parenchyma were used for quantitative histological evaluation of spermatogenesis and to determine spermatid reserves.
Research Findings
- The treatments did not affect (P>.05) the pH levels and volumes of semen, both gel-free and total.
- Conversely, all anabolic steroid treatments significantly lowered (P<.05) spermatozoal concentration, spermatozoal motility, and total sperm/ejaculate.
- Total scrotal width for stallions in the groups that received anabolic treatments was less (P<.05) than that of control stallions by week 5.
- The testes of the groups receiving anabolic treatments weighed less, averaging only 40.1, 44.9 and 61.6%, respectively, of the control group.
- Sperm production was altered, shown by smaller (P<.05) numbers of spermatids/testis and primary spermatocytes for all treated groups than for the controls.
- No significant effect (P>.05) was found on erection time, time to first mount, ejaculation time or number of mounts/ejaculation.
- All treatment groups experienced a decrease in concentration of Luteinizing Hormone (LH).
Conclusion
- The study concludes that anabolic steroids have a substantial negative impact on the reproductive system of young stallions, particularly regarding the count and motility of spermatozoa.
- However, these substances did not influence aspects related to libido, such as erection time and ejaculation time.
Cite This Article
APA
Squires EL, Todter GE, Berndtson WE, Pickett BW.
(1982).
Effect of anabolic steroids on reproductive function of young stallions.
J Anim Sci, 54(3), 576-582.
https://doi.org/10.2527/jas1982.543576x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Anabolic Agents / pharmacology
- Animals
- Horses / physiology
- Luteinizing Hormone / blood
- Male
- Nandrolone / analogs & derivatives
- Nandrolone / pharmacology
- Nandrolone Decanoate
- Organ Size / drug effects
- Reproduction / drug effects
- Semen / analysis
- Semen / drug effects
- Sperm Motility / drug effects
- Spermatogenesis / drug effects
- Testis / drug effects
- Testis / physiology
- Testosterone / analogs & derivatives
- Testosterone / pharmacology
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Min T, Lee KH. Effects of nandrolone decanoate on expression of steroidogenic enzymes in the rat testis. Asian-Australas J Anim Sci 2018 May;31(5):658-671.
- Mohd Mutalip SS, Surindar Singh GK, Mohd Shah A, Mohamad M, Mani V, Hussin SN. Histological changes in testes of rats treated with testosterone, nandrolone, and stanozolol. Iran J Reprod Med 2013 Aug;11(8):653-8.
- Oda SS, El-Ashmawy IM. Adverse effects of the anabolic steroid, boldenone undecylenate, on reproductive functions of male rabbits. Int J Exp Pathol 2012 Jun;93(3):172-8.
- Koskinen E, Katila T. Effect of 19-norandrostenololylaurate on serum testosterone concentration, libido, and closure of distal radial growth plate in colts. Acta Vet Scand 1997;38(1):59-67.
- Koskinen E, Andersson M, Katila T. Effect of 19-norandrostenololylaurate on testicular growth in colts. Acta Vet Scand 1997;38(1):51-7.
- Koskinen E, Marttila P, Katila T. Effect of 19-norandrostenololylaurate on semen characteristics of colts. Acta Vet Scand 1997;38(1):41-50.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
