Ovarian activity in fillies treated with anabolic steroids prior to the onset of puberty.

The research highlights the impact of anabolic steroids, specifically boldenone undecylenate, on the reproductive physiology of young female horses before puberty, detailing on its impact concerning their ovarian activities.

Research Methodology

• The researchers used sixteen fillies aged between 7 to 11 months for the study and carried forward the experiment until 2 years.
• They were treated with varying dosage amounts of boldenone undecylenate, an anabolic steroid. These doses ranged from zero to high levels (2.2 mg/kg LW).

Findings and Conclusions

• The study found significant changes in the reproductive physiology of the fillies, particularly in ovarian activity, affecting tasks such as ovulation and development of follicles.
• As per the measured cross-sectional area, the total number of ovulations, the total number of follicles, and the count of large follicles (more than 30 mm in diameter), it was observed that these were notably reduced due to the steroid treatments.
• The treated fillies who managed to ovulate during the first breeding season had a significant delay in the age of first ovulation and the second breeding season, specifically in the high dose group.
• Moreover, the final clitoral diameters and the increase in clitoral diameter over the study period were significantly larger in the treated groups.

Implications of the Study

• This research suggests that the usage of anabolic steroids like boldenone undecylenate can significantly impact the reproductive behavior of young female horses.
• These findings thus bear notable implications for veterinary professionals, breeders, and horse owners – making them aware of the effects of such steroids on the reproductive health of fillies in the long run.