Measurement of androgen and estrogen receptors in breast tissue from subjects with anabolic steroid-dependent gynecomastia.

In order to assess the relationship between anabolic steroid administration and gynecomastia, we studied the effects produced by administering nandrolone decanoate and a mixture of propionate, phenilpropionate, isocaproate and testosterone decanoate to bodybuilders during a six month period. The following significant changes occurred: a 53% reduction in serum testosterone; LH and FSH levels were suppressed to 77% and 87%, respectively, in comparison to control values; and although 45% of the subjects showed an increase in serum estradiol levels, no statistically significant differences were found compared with control estradiol levels. With regard to estradiol and androgen receptors, 85% of gynecomastia tissue contained estradiol or androgen receptors, while 40% contained both. The mean values of estradiol and androgen receptors in the cytosol were 65 +/- 10 and 52 +/- 5 fmol/mg protein, respectively. Nuclear androgen and estradiol receptor levels were 33 +/- 7 and 67.5 +/- 9 fmol/mg protein, respectively. The presence of hormone receptors in gynecomastia receptive cells provides support for the hypothesis that gynecomastia is steroid-dependent.

Effect of androgenic anabolic steroids on sperm quality and serum hormone levels in adult male bodybuilders.

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of the administration of high doses of androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS) on endocrine and semen parameters. Thirty volunteering bodybuilders were studied (ages ranging between 26.6 +/- 4.1 years). A history of anabolic steroid administration was recorded for fifteen subjects, and results of semen analysis and endocrine parameters were compared with data from fifteen bodybuilders not using steroids. In those subjects using AAS, eight had sperm counts under the lower normal limit (20 x 10(6) sperm/ml), three had azoospermia, two polyzoospermia, and two had normal sperm counts. The percentage of morphologically normal sperm was significantly reduced, only 17.7% had normal spermatozoa. In the control group, only one subject had oligozoospermia. The hormonal parameters revealed reduced FSH (1.5 +/- 3.2 vs 5.0 +/- 1.6, p < 0.001) and PRL (5.1 +/- 4.9 vs 9.2 +/- 4.4, p < 0.01) levels. LH, T, E2 and DHEA levels did not vary.

Semen quality of workers occupationally exposed to hydrocarbons.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether occupational exposure of men to hydrocarbons has adverse effects on the quality of their semen. DESIGN: Comparative study. SETTING: The rubber industry in Mexico City. PATIENT(S): Forty-eight workers who were exposed to hydrocarbons for 2-24 years and 42 unexposed workers. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Environmental hydrocarbon concentrations were determined by continuous air monitoring in all areas of the factory. Analyses of semen samples were performed in accordance with World Health Organization criteria. RESULT(S): Hydrocarbon concentrations were as follows: ethylbenzene, 220.7-234 mg/m3; benzene, 31.9-47.8 mg/m3; toluene, 189.7-212.5 mg/m3; and xylene, 47-56.4 mg/m3. The number of subjects with ejaculates that had normal characteristics was greater in the unexposed group (76%) than in the exposed group (17%). More abnormal characteristics were found in the semen of exposed workers than unexposed workers, including alterations in viscosity, liquefaction capacity, sperm count, sperm motility, and the proportion of sperm with normal morphology. Some abnormal characteristics correlated with the number of years of exposure to the hydrocarbons. CONCLUSION(S): Damage to the spermatogenic process resulting from hydrocarbon exposure was demonstrated by an increased rate of abnormalities in the semen of exposed workers compared with unexposed workers. This information may be useful for conducting future analyses of reproductive risks related to exposure to high concentrations of hydrocarbons.