Seminiferous Tubules Histoarchitecture Changes in Nandrolone Decanoate-Treated Male Rats

Background: Nandrolone Decanoate as an anabolic steroid is used for physique- and muscle mass-enhancing purposes by athletes. The misuse of this drug has irreparable consequences such as male infertility.Materials and Methods: Eighteen rats were randomly catego-rized into 3 groups; group 1 was served as a control and groups 2 and 3 received 3 and 6 mg/kg of Nandrolone Decanoate weekly through intra-muscular injections, respectively. After 8 weeks, the testicles were harvested and the seminiferous tu-bules histoarchitecture was analyzed.Results: The seminiferous tubules epithelium thickness in the Nandrolone Decanoate -receiving groups showed a significant decrease compared to the control group, while seminiferous tu-bules luminal diameter in the Nandrolone Decanoate -treated rats exhibited a significant increase compared to the control group. Conclusion: High doses of Nandrolone Decanoate can have negative effects on male reproductive system.

Keywords:

Nandrolone Decanoate , Reproductive System , Semi-niferous Tubulest , Rat