Histopathological and Morphometric Evaluation in the Testis and Epididymis of Adult Rats Submitted To A Recovery Period after Treatment with Anabolic Steroid, Alcohol and/or Nicotine

Abstract

AAS are recommended for treatment of sarcopenia and cachexia associated with AIDS, hepatic or renal failure, cancer and severe burns [4,5], but their nonmedical use is increasing during the latest decades. These substances are synthetic derivatives of testosterone that act on androgenic receptors, which are present in several different types of tissues, conferring inseparable anabolic and androgenic effects [6]. Because of its anabolic effect in promoting increased muscle mass, many people use AAS for esthetic reasons [7,8] and this nonclinic use may cause reversible and irreversible side effects [9]. In men and rodents, testicular changes and reduction in the quality of semen are widely reported in the literature as result of AAS use [10-13].