Immediate and late effects of supraphysiological doses of nandrolone decanoate on the testis of rats.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of supraphysiologic doses of nandrolone decanoate on the testicular morphology of rats and if these effects could be transitory or permanent.

METHODS

Twenty-five male rats were divided in four groups. C28 and C40 were control rats killed with 28 and 40 weeks old, respectively; and T28 and T40 were treated with nandrolone decanoate (10 mg/kg) and killed immediately after the treatment (T28) or 12 weeks after the end of treatment (T40). The testis weight and volume were measured, and the seminiferous tubule area and epithelium height were assessed by histomorphometric methods.

RESULTS

The seminiferous tubules area and epithelium height of group T28 were reduced in comparison to C28. Group T40 showed reduced testicular weight and volume, as well as seminiferous tubule area and epithelium height in comparison to C40.

CONCLUSION

The use of nandrolone decanoate promotes major structural modifications on the testes of rats. These modifications are even worse 12 weeks after ending the use of the anabolic androgenic steroid.