ABSTRACT
Anabolic androgenic steroid [AAS] abuse by man represents a significant health risk due to the potential long-term negative physical sequelae. The present work aims detect the effects of chronic [AAS] use in adult males and their consequences on cardiovascular and gonadal status. This study was divided into two parts: The human part was carried on eighteen strength athletes self administered several steroids [oral and intramuscular] simultaneously for about 14 weeks. Serum lipids and lipoproteins were assessed during use and 6 week after drug cessation, as indicators of the risk for cardiovascular disease. Plasma sex hormones as testosterone [T], luteinizing hormone [LH] and follicle stimulating hormone [FSH] were also determined to clarify the effect of AAS on the testicular endocrine function. The experimental part was carried on 40 rats. They were divided into two groups: Control and an AAS-treated group. Each rat in AAS group administered 5 mg/kg body wt testosterone propionate [TP] intramuscularly twice weekly for 8 workd. At the end, plasma sex hormones, intra-testicular T levels were assessed and testes of the sacrificed animals were examined histologically as well. The results of the human part showed significant increase in LDL level and significant fall in HDL. These changes were paralleled by significant increasse in Apo lipoproteins-B concentration and decreasse in both Apo-A1 and Lp [a] concentration. One the other hand, sex hormones were significantly suppressed. Six week after AAS withdrawal, lipoprotein variables had not returned to baseline concentrations. As regard the experimental part; tests weight and testicular sperm numbers were markedly decreased compared with the control. Testicular tissue examination revealed arrest of advanced spermatogenesis in the seminiferous tubules and a severe depletion of the number of Leydig cells. Plasma levels of FSH and LH were decreased. Plasma T levels remained at the normal range throughout the entire treatment duration. Intra-testicular T levels were significantly reduced. It was concluded that administration of AAS produces comparable profound unfavorable effects on lipids and lipoproteins, leading to an increased atherogenic lipid profile and to great extent may be responsible for developing male subfertility during use