Effects of an anabolic steroid (Durateston) on testicular angiogenesis in peripubertal stallions.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the anabolic steroid testosterone on the testicular vascularization, angiogenesis and expression of angiogenic factors, and their receptors in testes of peripubertal stallions. Seven peripubertal stallions were treated with Durateston and castrated either 4 (treatment group 1 [TG1]) or 12 weeks (TG2) after the last injection. The castration of seven untreated control stallions (control group [CG]) took place within the same time. In the testicular specimens, volume density (VD), numerical density (ND), and area of vessels were determined morphometrically. Immunohistochemically, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor VEGF-R2; angiopoietin 2 (Ang2) and its receptor Tie2 as well as of transforming growth factor α (TGF-α) was investigated. Morphometrically, the VD of TG1 (P = 0.000) and TG2 (P = 0.001) vessels and the ND of arterioles and venules and capillaries were higher (TG1, TG2: P < 0.05), and the area of capillary cross sections was smaller (TG1, TG2: P < 0.05) than that in the CG. Compared to TG2 horses, TG1 animals showed a higher (P < 0.05) VD and ND of vascular structures and a smaller (P < 0.05) area of capillary cross sections. In numerous vascular structures, especially of TG1, the TGF-α and, to a less extent, the Ang2 and VEGF-R2 expression was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that in the CG. Sertoli cells in TG2 were characterized by a significantly higher expression (P < 0.05) of VEGF-R2 than in the CG. In summary, the most and smallest vessels could be detected in the testes of TG1. Most likely this is explainable by the highest expression of some angiogenic factors (TGF-α, Ang2) and receptors (VEGF-R2) investigated. This expression behavior may be stimulated by testosterone. As a significant decrease of morphometric parameters could be detected in TG2 compared to TG1, the stimulatory effect of testosterone seems to be temporary.
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2015-04-08 PubMed ID: 25981757DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.03.022Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study investigates the impact of a testosterone-based anabolic steroid, Durateston, on the process of blood vessel formation and related factors in the testes of young horses. The results indicate that testosterone seems to temporarily stimulate the growth of blood vessels and increase the expression of certain related proteins.
Research Objective
- The goal of the study was to examine the effects of the anabolic steroid testosterone (Durateston) on the formation of blood vessels, a process known as angiogenesis, in the testes of peripubertal stallions. The researchers analyzed the expression of specific proteins associated with angiogenesis and their receptors.
Methodology
- Seven peripubertal stallions were treated with Durateston and were castrated 4 weeks (Group 1) or 12 weeks (Group 2) post the last injection. A control group of seven untreated stallions was also castrated within the same timeframe.
- Testicular specimens were examined for volume density (VD), numerical density (ND), and area of blood vessels. The research team also used immunohistochemical techniques to analyze the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor VEGF-R2; angiopoietin 2 (Ang2) and its receptor Tie2, and transforming growth factor α (TGF-α).
Findings
- The researchers found that both treated groups 1 and 2 had higher volume and numerical density of vessels, and a smaller cross-sectional area of capillaries, compared to the control group.
- Group 1, the group treated with testosterone and castrated earlier, had the highest density of vascular structures and the smallest area of capillary cross-sections when compared with Group 2.
- TGF-α expression was notably higher in the blood vessels, especially in Group 1, compared to the control group. Similarly, Ang2 and VEGF-R2 expression were higher, albeit to a lesser extent. Group 2 stallions also demonstrated a significantly higher expression of VEGF-R2 among the cells that nourish sperm (Sertoli cells).
- These results suggest that the testosterone may stimulate the expression of some angiogenic factors and their receptors. However, because the parameters measured in Group 2 were lower than in Group 1, it appears that this stimulatory effect of testosterone is temporary.
Cite This Article
APA
Teubner A, Müller K, Bartmann CP, Sieme H, Klug E, Zingrebe B, Schoon HA.
(2015).
Effects of an anabolic steroid (Durateston) on testicular angiogenesis in peripubertal stallions.
Theriogenology, 84(3), 323-332.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.03.022 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. Electronic address: anja.teubner@gmx.de.
- Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.
- Clinic for Horses, Unit for Reproductive Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.
- Clinic for Horses, Unit for Reproductive Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.
- Clinic for Horses, Unit for Reproductive Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.
- Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
MeSH Terms
- Anabolic Agents / pharmacology
- Animals
- Horses / physiology
- Immunohistochemistry
- Male
- Neovascularization, Physiologic / drug effects
- Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / metabolism
- Sexual Maturation
- Testis / blood supply
- Testis / pathology
- Testosterone / metabolism
- Testosterone / pharmacology
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors / metabolism
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Shakeel M, Yoon M. Functions of somatic cells for spermatogenesis in stallions. J Anim Sci Technol 2022 Jul;64(4):654-670.
- Chu C, Chen X, Hasan AA, Szakallova A, Krämer BK, Tepel M, Hocher B. Angiopoietin-2 predicts all-cause mortality in male but not female end-stage kidney disease patients on hemodialysis. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2022 Jun 23;37(7):1348-1356.
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