DO AROMATASE INHIBITORS REDUCE FERTILITY AND IMPAIR
SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR IN AN ANDROGEN DOPING MODEL IN RATS?
CAMIL-EUGEN VARI1, BIANCA-EUGENIA ŐSZ1*, MARCEL PERIAN 2, MARIUS ȘTEFAN MĂRUȘTERI3, AMALIA MIKLOS3, PAUL BOSA1, AMELIA TERO-VESCAN4
University of Medicine and Pharmacy Târgu Mureș, Romania
1Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy Department
2Physiology Department
3Medical Informatics and Biostatistics
3Advanced Medical and Pharmaceutical Research Centre (CCMAF)
4Biochemistry Department
*corresponding author: bianca.osz@umftgm.ro
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Abstract:
The use of androgens and anabolic steroids as doping substances decreases fertility and influences social behaviour
(addiction, aggression, changes in libido). Effects on fertility can be reduced with corrective medication ("post cycle
therapy") that interferes with the hypothalamic-pituitary regulation of androgen synthesis (aromatase inhibitors,
antiestrogens, gonadotropins). The purpose of this study was to evaluate fertility and sexual behavior in an androgen doping
model in male rats under conditions of progressive effort (swimming) over a period of 8 weeks. Rats were divided into 4
groups (Group I control – C; Group II – testosterone undecanoate 1 g/ kg b.w. every 2 weeks, 3 doses i.m. - T; Group III –
letrozole orally 2.5 mg/ kg b.w. daily - L; Group IV – combined therapy, letrozole and testosterone in the doses described
above - T+L). Fertility was assessed by spermogram (number, viability, and spermatozoids morphology) and the capacity to
fertilize the receptive female rat. Social behaviour was evaluated in the presence of female rats (interest, copulation), and in
the presence of foreign males (aggression, dominance). Experimental findings: monotherapy (testosterone or letrozole)
reduces fertility and produces oligo- or asthenospermia; aromatase inhibitors decrease aggression, but also diminish the
sexual desire of the treated males; combined therapy effect on spermatogenesis is reduced compared to separate use, but with
decreased libido produced by letrozole, and antagonizing aggressive behaviour caused by androgen doping.






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