Effects of Nandrolone Decanoate on Expression of Steroidogenic Enzymes in the Rat Testis

摘要: OBJECTIVE Nandrolone decanoate (ND) is an anabolic-androgenic steroid frequently used for clinical treatment. However, the inappropriate use of ND results in reduction serum testosterone level and sperm production. The suppressive effect on production has not been investigated detail. present study was designed to examine expression steroidogenic enzymes rat testis. METHODS Male Sprague Dawley rats at 50 days age were subcutaneously administrated with either 2 or 10 mg ND/kg body weight/week 12 weeks. changes transcript protein levels testis determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction western blotting analyses, respectively. Moreover, immunohistochemical analysis employed determine immunostaining intensity these enzymes. acute regulatory protein, cytochrome P450 side cleavage enzyme, 17α-hydroxylase, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, aromatase. RESULTS treatment resulted depletion Leydig cells sloughing germ caused significant expressional decreases levels, destructive effects more apparent a higher dose longer period Evident clearly detected CONCLUSION exposure young male only histological but also aberrant gene testicular enzymes, consequently leading into thus likely disruption spermatogenesis.