Effects of methyltestosterone on reproduction in the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Impact of anabolic androgenic steroids on male sexual and reproductive function: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) are a complex cluster of synthetic derivatives of testosterone. AAS abuse is considered a major public health issue since it has increased among young/adolescent males. The use of steroids has a prevalence rate of 14% in young athletes and 30-75% in professional athletes or bodybuilders. AASs simulate the testosterone mechanism, binding the intracellular androgen receptor, and dysregulating the normal hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in the same way as exogenous testosterone. Abuse can produce several side effects on organs, such as the genital system. The physio-pathological mechanisms that cause AAS abuse-related, genital system disorders in humans are still not completely known.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

This study focuses on the effect of AASs on the male reproductive organs in humans and animals.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

A systematic review was performed using SCOPUS, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Sciences database up to 31 December 2021 using the keywords: "anabolic-androgenic steroids," "erectile dysfunction," "spermatogenesis" and "infertility;" (anabolic agents) "erectile dysfunction," "spermatogenesis" and "infertility." The review of the literature identified 66 articles published until 2021. Sixty-two articles were included. The use of AASs induces testicular atrophy and azoospermia known as "anabolic steroid-induced hypogonadism." Anabolic steroid induced infertility is characterized by oligo or azoospermia and abnormalities in sperm motility and morphology. Although sperm quality recovers in most cases within 4 months of stopping anabolic steroid abuse, the negative consequences on spermatogenesis can take up to 3 years to disappear. Human studies reported a positive correlation between AAS abuse in athletes and an increase in morphologically abnormal spermatozoa. Animal studies showed the destruction of Leydig cells and testicular atrophy in animals treated with cycles of AASs.

CONCLUSIONS

The present review of the literature highlights how little is known about the action of AASs on the male genital system. However, although their use is prohibited in many countries, the black market for these substances is still very frequent. The scientific landscape still has a lot to invest in the research of AAS on the male genital system to make young people even more aware of the negative aspects of these substances, contributing to the reduction of these products in an inappropriate way.

Photodegradation of 17 α-methyltestosterone using TiO2 -Gd3+ and TiO2-Sm3+ photocatalysts and simulated solar radiation as an activation source

According to the search in the state of the art, no antecedents were found in which photocatalytic degradation of 17α-methyltestosterone (MT) hormone has been carried out using doped-TiO₂. Nor have the transformation products formed during the heterogeneous photocatalysis (FH) been identified. Therefore, in this study we analyzed the photocatalytic degradation of the MT in aqueous solution, using doped TiO₂ with Sm³⁺ or Gd³⁺ at 0.3 and 0.5 %wt. Thermal treatment temperature (500 °C and 800 °C) and MT (20 mgL^-1) mineralization were also studied. All photocatalysts were synthesized using the sol-gel method and characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Specific Surface Area (BET), Ultraviolet-visible Spectroscopy (UV-vis), High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope/Energy-Dispersive X-ray analysis (HRTEM/EDS) and, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and photoluminescence (PL). MT mineralization was followed by a total organic carbon analyzer (TOC). The route of the photocatalytic mineralization of the hormone was obtained from the analysis of intermediate compounds determined by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-TOF-MS). The results showed that TM and its transformation products were not degraded by photolysis. However, the degree of mineralization of the hormone was greater when the photocatalytic process was used. The photocatalytic efficiency was related to the dopant concentration, dopant type and thermal treatment. Therefore, Sm (0.3%)/TiO₂ calcined at 500 °C showed the best performance for photocatalytic mineralization of MT.

Exposure to the androgenic brominated flame retardant 1,2-dibromo-4-(1,2-dibromoethyl)-cyclohexane alters reproductive and aggressive behaviors in birds

Detected in environmental samples, 1,2-dibromo-4-(1,2-dibromoethyl) cyclohexane (DBE-DBCH) is a bioaccumulative isomer of a current-use brominated flame retardant. All 4 structural isomers are androgen agonists; however, little toxicological information exists for this compound. The objective of the present study was to determine if β-DBE-DBCH, the isomer found most prominently in animal tissue, affects androgen-dependent behavior of breeding American kestrels (Falco sparverius). The authors hypothesized that if β-DBE-DBCH acts as an androgen agonist in kestrels, androgen-dependent behaviors (i.e., copulation, courtship, aggression) would increase and behaviors inhibited by androgens (i.e., parental care behaviors) would decrease. Sixteen captive experimental kestrel pairs were exposed to 0.239 ng β-DBE-DBCH/g kestrel/d by diet from 4 wk prior to pairing until their nestlings hatched (mean 82 d) and compared with vehicle only-exposed control pairs (n = 15). Androgen-dependent behaviors were significantly increased in β-DBE-DBCH-exposed birds, consistent with the authors' hypothesis. These behavioral changes included copulation and other sexual behaviors in males and females and aggression in males, suggesting that β-DBE-DBCH may have acted like an androgen agonist in these birds. Parental behaviors were not reduced in exposed birds as predicted, although dietary exposure had ceased before chicks hatched. Further assessment of β-DBE-DBCH is recommended given these behavioral changes and the previously reported reproductive changes in the same birds.

The flame retardant β-1,2-dibromo-4-(1,2-dibromoethyl)cyclohexane: fate, fertility, and reproductive success in American kestrels (Falco sparverius)

Captive American kestrels (Falco sparverius) were exposed via diet during reproduction to an environmentally relevant concentration of β-1,2-dibromo-4-(1,2-dibromoethyl)cyclohexane (β-TBECH). The β-TBECH isomer was injected into the food source at a daily dosing concentration of 0.239 ng/g kestrel/day (22 pairs); control birds were exposed via diet to the safflower oil vehicle only (24 pairs). Eight pairs in each group were exposed for four weeks and sacrificed for tissue analysis; the remaining pairs completed their breeding cycle, with exposure ceasing at the end of incubation (82 days). α- and β-TBECH appeared to be rapidly metabolized and/or eliminated from fat, liver, and plasma; both isomers and potential hydroxylated metabolites of β-TBECH (plasma) were undetected. Notwithstanding, compared to controls, pairs exposed to β-TBECH laid fewer eggs (p = 0.019) and laid lighter eggs (successful eggs: p = 0.009). Exposed pairs also demonstrated poorer egg fertility (p = 0.035) although testis mass and histology were similar among males. Reductions in egg production and fertility resulted in decreased hatchling success (p = 0.023). The β-TBECH-exposed pairs also produced fewer males overall (p = 0.009), which occurred concurrently with increased estradiols maternally deposited in eggs (p = 0.039). These findings demonstrate that β-TBECH may be detrimental for breeding in wild birds receiving similar exposure levels.

Degradation of 17α-methyltestosterone by Rhodococcus sp. and Nocardioides sp. isolated from a masculinizing pond of Nile tilapia fry

17α-Methyltestosterone (MT), a synthetic anabolic androgenic steroid, is widely used in aquafarming for the production of an all male fish population such as Nile tilapia. This study isolated, identified and characterized MT-degrading bacteria in the sediment and water from a masculinizing pond of Nile tilapia fry. Based on the phylogeny, physiological properties and cell morphology, the three isolated MT-degrading bacteria were related closely to Rhodococcus equi, Nocardioides aromaticivorans, and Nocardioides nitrophenolicus. Growth of the three isolated strains was found to be inhibited for MT concentrations in the range of 1.0-10mg/L. The inhibition of cell growth was found to be modeled using the Haldane's substrate inhibition model. The kinetic constants ranged from 0.13 to 0.19h(-1) for μ(max), 0.7-24.8mg/L for K(s) and 19.6-76.2mg/L for K(i). Androgenic activity using β-galactosidase assay showed that all strains degraded MT to the products with no androgenic potency.

Biotransformation of 17α-methyltestosterone in sediment under different electron acceptor conditions

17α-Methyltestosterone (MT), an anabolic androgenic steroid, is used widely in inducing an all male population in aquaculture farming of fish, such as Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Current understanding of the occurrence and fate of MT in the sediments and the surrounding areas of the aquaculture ponds are very limited. Bioassay tests showed that MT was biotransformed under aerobic and sulfate-reducing conditions with a half-life of 3.8d and 5.3d, respectively, with complete disappearance of androgenic activity. However, under methanogenic condition, MT was found to biotransform but the androgenic activity continued to persist even after 45 d of incubation. In contrast, MT was found to transform slowly under iron(III)-reducing condition and was hardly transformed under nitrate-reducing condition. A possible reason for the lack of transformation of MT under nitrate-reducing condition is the presence of the methyl group at the C-17 position. The results of this study suggest that MT and its degradation products with androgenic activity may potentially accumulate in the sediments of fish farming ponds under iron(III)-reducing, nitrate-reducing and methanogenic conditions.