Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
Effects of anabolic steroid (19-nortestosterone) on the secretion of testicular hormones in the stallion.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to clarify the effect of anabolic steroids on the testicular endocrine function of mature stallions. Mature thoroughbred stallions were treated with 800 mg nandrolone decanoate every 3 weeks for 3 months. After the first treatment, plasma concentrations of LH, immunoreactive inhibin and testosterone decreased rapidly to the nadir. These hormones were maintained at significantly lower concentrations compared with concentrations in intact stallions. Histology of the testicular tissue indicated the arrest of advanced spermatogenesis in the seminiferous tubules and a severe depletion of the number of Leydig cells in the interstitial compartment as a result of treatment. Most of the immunopositive cells for the inhibin alpha-subunit and steroidogenesis enzymes in the interstitial compartment decreased below detectable amounts, whereas immunopositive reactions of inhibin alpha-subunit in the seminiferous tubules were clearly observed. In conclusion, the treatment of mature stallions with nandrolone decanoate caused a decrease in the secretion of ir-inhibin and testosterone from the testis, the depletion of the number of Leydig cells and a decrease below detectable amounts of inhibin alpha-subunit and steroidogenesis enzymes. The concentration of ir-inhibin in the peripheral blood may be a useful marker for the examination of testicular activity in stallions being treated with anabolic steroids.
Publication Date: 1999-08-06 PubMed ID: 10434944DOI: 10.1530/jrf.0.1150373Google 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.
- 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 study explores how anabolic steroids impact the hormone secretion of mature male horses’ testes. It reveals that the use of these steroids decreases the production of crucial hormones and adversely affects the cells responsible for spermatogenesis.
Objectives and Methodology of the Study
- The study was designed to understand the effects that anabolic steroids have on the testicular endocrine function of mature stallions. This was accomplished by treating mature thoroughbred stallions with an anabolic steroid known as nandrolone decanoate.
- A dose of 800 mg of nandrolone decanoate was administered to the horses every 3 weeks for a duration of 3 months. The effects of the treatment on various hormone concentrations in the horses’ bodies were examined, with particular reference to luteinizing hormone (LH), immunoreactive inhibin (part of a class of hormones affecting the development of male and female gametes), and testosterone.
- A histology of the stallions’ testicular tissues was conducted to understand the impact of the anabolic steroid on advanced spermatogenesis (the process of sperm cell development) in the seminiferous tubules and the number of Leydig cells (cells in the testicles that produce testosterone) in the interstitial compartment.
Findings of the Study
- After the first treatment, there was a rapid decline in the plasma concentrations of LH, immunoreactive inhibin and testosterone to their lowest point. These hormones remained at significantly lower concentrations compared to those in non-treated, intact stallions.
- The inflammation of the testicular tissues indicated that the steroid treatment led to a halt in spermatogenesis and a severe loss of Leydig cells.
- Several cells that typically test positive for inhibin alpha-subunit (a component of the inhibin hormone) and steroidogenesis enzymes were found to decrease below detectable amounts. Surprisingly, this was not the case within the seminiferous tubules where notable reactions were observed.
Conclusions and Implications
- Results from this study indicate that the treatment of mature stallions with nandrolone decanoate caused significant changes including a decrease in the secretion of ir-inhibin and testosterone from the testes, depletion of the number of Leydig cells, and a decrease below detectable amounts of inhibin alpha-subunit and steroidogenesis enzymes.
- The research suggests that the concentration of ir-inhibin in the peripheral blood may serve as a useful indicator of the testicular activity in stallions being treated with anabolic steroids. This can offer valuable insights for veterinarians, animal breeders and others who must consider the hormonal health of stallions.
Cite This Article
APA
Nagata S, Kurosawa M, Mima K, Nambo Y, Fujii Y, Watanabe G, Taya K.
(1999).
Effects of anabolic steroid (19-nortestosterone) on the secretion of testicular hormones in the stallion.
J Reprod Fertil, 115(2), 373-379.
https://doi.org/10.1530/jrf.0.1150373 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Laboratory of Racing Chemistry, Tochigi, Japan.
MeSH Terms
- 3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / analysis
- Anabolic Agents / pharmacology
- Analysis of Variance
- Animals
- Aromatase / analysis
- Biomarkers / blood
- Cell Count
- Depression, Chemical
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone / blood
- Horses / metabolism
- Inhibins / blood
- Leydig Cells / chemistry
- Leydig Cells / drug effects
- Luteinizing Hormone / blood
- Male
- Nandrolone / analogs & derivatives
- Nandrolone / pharmacology
- Nandrolone Decanoate
- Peptides / blood
- Radioimmunoassay
- Sertoli Cells / chemistry
- Sertoli Cells / drug effects
- Spermatogenesis / drug effects
- Statistics, Nonparametric
- Testis / drug effects
- Testis / enzymology
- Testis / metabolism
- Testosterone / blood
Citations
This article has been cited 11 times.- Ishimaru M, Matsui A, Seki K, Korosue K, Akiyama K, Mizukami H, Yoshida T, Taya K. Effects of different winter climates in Japan on body composition of young Thoroughbreds in training. J Vet Med Sci 2022 Nov 18;84(12):1585-1594.
- Min T, Karthikeyan A, Lee KH. Assessment of testicular steroidogenic enzymes expression in experimental animal model following withdrawal of nandrolone decanoate. J Anim Sci Technol 2021 Nov;63(6):1247-1264.
- Alibegović A. Testicular morphology in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism after the abuse of anabolic steroids. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2018 Dec;14(4):564-567.
- Salerno M, Cascio O, Bertozzi G, Sessa F, Messina A, Monda V, Cipolloni L, Biondi A, Daniele A, Pomara C. Anabolic androgenic steroids and carcinogenicity focusing on Leydig cell: a literature review. Oncotarget 2018 Apr 10;9(27):19415-19426.
- 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.
- Barone R, Pitruzzella A, Marino Gammazza A, Rappa F, Salerno M, Barone F, Sangiorgi C, D'Amico D, Locorotondo N, Di Gaudio F, Cipolloni L, Di Felice V, Schiavone S, Rapisarda V, Sani G, Tambo A, Cappello F, Turillazzi E, Pomara C. Nandrolone decanoate interferes with testosterone biosynthesis altering blood-testis barrier components. J Cell Mol Med 2017 Aug;21(8):1636-1647.
- El Osta R, Almont T, Diligent C, Hubert N, Eschwège P, Hubert J. Anabolic steroids abuse and male infertility. Basic Clin Androl 2016;26:2.
- Pomara C, Barone R, Marino Gammazza A, Sangiorgi C, Barone F, Pitruzzella A, Locorotondo N, Di Gaudio F, Salerno M, Maglietta F, Sarni AL, Di Felice V, Cappello F, Turillazzi E. Effects of Nandrolone Stimulation on Testosterone Biosynthesis in Leydig Cells. J Cell Physiol 2016 Jun;231(6):1385-91.
- Skrzypiec-Spring M, Rozmus J, Abu Faraj G, Brawańska-Maśluch K, Kujawa K, Szeląg A. Abuse of Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids as a Social Phenomenon and Medical Problem-Its Potential Negative Impact on Reproductive Health Based on 50 Years of Case Report Analysis. J Clin Med 2024 Oct 2;13(19).
- Skrzypiec-Spring M, Pokrywka A, Bombała W, Berezovska D, Rozmus J, Brawańska K, Nowicki K, Abu Faraj G, Rynkowski M, Szeląg A. Illegal Use of Testosterone and Other Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids in the Population of Amateur Athletes in Wrocław, Poland-An Unfavorable Lifestyle Trend in the Population of Men of Reproductive Age. J Clin Med 2024 Jun 26;13(13).
- Ishimaru M, Okano A, Matsui A, Murase H, Korosue K, Akiyama K, Taya K. Effects of an extended photoperiod on body composition of young Thoroughbreds in training. J Vet Med Sci 2024 Jan 10;86(1):58-65.
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
