The effects of 17 alpha-methyltestosterone, methandrostenolone, and nandrolone decanoate on the rat estrous cycle.
In a series of four separate experiments, the effects of anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) compounds on the estrous cycle of adult Long-Evans rats were examined. Sexual receptivity, vaginal cytology, and body weight were monitored throughout a 2-week baseline, AAS treatment, and recovery periods. In Experiments 1-3, subjects were administered 17 alpha-methyltestosterone, methandrostenolone, or nandrolone decanoate at doses selected to mimic the human abuse levels of each compound. In these studies, the highest doses of 17 alpha-methyltestosterone (7.5 mg/kg) and nandrolone decanoate (5.6 mg/kg) disrupted behavioral and vaginal cyclicity, whereas the highest dose of methandrostenolone (3.75 mg/kg) appeared to have slightly less robust effects. To compare effects on estrous cyclicity across AAS compounds, subjects in Experiment 4 received a single high dose (7.5 mg/kg) of each compound for 2 weeks. At this dose, all AAS compounds interfered with vaginal cyclicity, although effects on behavioral cyclicity and uterine weight were not uniform. Across all 4 experiments, AAS effects on body weight were minimal. The short-term administration of AAS compounds at levels commonly used by humans disrupts female neuroendocrine function in a dose-dependent manner.
Blasberg
M E
ME
Department of Psychology, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA.
Langan
C J
CJ
Clark
A S
AS
D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004971:Estrus / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D008696:Methandrostenolone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008777:Methyltestosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009277:Nandrolone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000077603:Nandrolone Decanoate; D051381:Rats; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D045165:Testosterone Congeners / Q000494:pharmacology*
D045930:Anabolic Agents; D045165:Testosterone Congeners; D009277:Nandrolone; D008696:Methandrostenolone; D000077603:Nandrolone Decanoate; D008777:Methyltestosterone