Mesterolone (Proviron) induces low sperm quality with reduction in sex hormone profile in adult male Sprague Dawley rats testis

Anabolic-androgenic steroid compounds are one of the most widely abused drugs by athletes and muscle builders with the goal of improving performance/muscle mass. However, increasing concern has been expressed because these compounds not only offer unappreciable benefits to infertile and subfertile males, but also might have deleterious effects on both human and animal physiology including sperm quality. In addition, there is the conflicting outcome of AAS usage in the clinical settings with its attendant reduced spermatogenesis and hypopituitarism in patient management. Hence, we aim to evaluate the effects of mestorolone, an anabolic-androgenic steroid, on the histomorphometry of seminiferous tubules with serum hormonal and seminal analyses in adult male Sprague-Dawley rat. Twenty adult male Sprague dawley rats divided into two groups of 10 each. The treated group received 0.06 mg/g body weight/ day of mesterolone (proviron) by oral gavage for six weeks while the control group received equal volume of 0.9% normal saline per day. SPSS analysis of data generated with P< 0.05 considered statistically significant. The result showed significant (P< 0.05) body weight gain in all the animals. However, both the raw testicular weight and relative testicular weight per 100 g bwt was significantly (P< 0.05) higher in control than treated. The mean sperm count significantly decreased by 28% (P< 0.05) and the motility reduced significantly by 56% (P< 0.05) in the treated compared to control. In addition, both FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and T (testosterone) of the treated were significantly lowered by 73% (P< 0.05) and 63% (P< 0.05) respectively compared to the control. The use of mesterolone is with caution and short intermittent therapy is desirous for better semen quality and improved overall fertility.