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
1.Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy Department
2.Physiology Department
3.Medical Informatics and Biostatistics
3.Advanced Medical and Pharmaceutical Research Centre (CCMAF)
4.Biochemistry Department
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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.
