Seminiferous Tubules Histological Alterations in Ox-ymetholone-Administered Male Rats

Background: Oxymetholone, an anabolic steroid, is used ex-tensively among athletes and can affect male fertility. Materials and Methods: Twenty-one adult male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups; group 1 was served as a control and groups 2 and 3 received 5 and 10 mg/kg/PO of Oxymetholone daily, respectively. After 60 days, the testicles were harvested and the seminiferous tubules histology was examined.Results: The seminiferous tubules epithelium thickness in the Oxymetholone-administered groups showed a significant decline compared to the control group, whereas seminiferous tubules luminal diameter in the Oxymetholone-received rats ex-hibited a significant increase in comparison with control group. Conclusion: High doses of Oxymetholone may have negative impacts on male reproductive system.

Keywords:

Oxymetholone , Male Reproductive System , Semi-niferous Tubule , Rat , Histology