Histopathological changes in vocal folds of female rabbits after injection of anabolic steroids

ABSTRACT

In this experimental research, a study group of ten unmarried female rabbits was injected with anabolic steroids and their vocal folds were examined histopathologically and compared with those of a control group of five rabbits. There were no differences in the epithelial, elastic or muscular tissues between both groups. However, there was some increase in the density of subepithelial collagen fibers of the vocal fold ligament in three rabbits of the study group, which may be attributed to the individual sensitivity of the rabbits. This increase may explain the irreversible virilization of voice in human females