Effects of Nandrolone Decanoate on Ultrastructure of Testis in Male Adult Rats

background: to improve the athletic ability and musclemass, anabolic androgenic steroids are abused by athletes. littleis known about how these compounds affect the fine structuresof the testis. this study aimed to identify the changes inthe fine structure of testis following administration of nandrolonedecanoate.methods: twenty five sprague-dawley rats were randomlydivided into two experimental, two vehicle, and one controlgroups. experimental groups were treated by 3 or 10mg/kg/wk intramuscular injection of nandrolone decanoate.the vehicle groups were treated by the same amount of peanutoil, for 14 weeks. one week after the last injection, the ratswere sacrificed and their testes were prepared for transmissionelectron microscopy study.results: the cells in the interstitial space of the experimentalrats were considerably degenerated. the basement membranewas thick and the diameter of seminiferous tubule was reduced.several degenerated sertoli cells and apoptotic germcells were considerably observed in the experimental rats.conclusion: the results of this study show that fine structureof the testis is affected by nandrolone decanoate.iran j med sci 2008; 33(2): 94-100.