In Vivo Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Alters Thyroid Gland Functions in Female Rats

Abstract

Introduction: Because androgen receptors are expressed in this tissue, sex hormones may affect thyroid function by, in addition to TSH, promoting thyrocyte proliferation in culture.

Aim: The study's goal is to see how androgenic steroid hormone influences the thyroid.Materials and methods: Adult female wistar rat (no. 12) and weight (180-200 g) were housed and divided into two groups (no.6 with each group). Control group was injected with propylene glycol which used as a vehicle, while the treated group injected with testosterone
propionate subcutaneous with 100mg/kg dose dissolve in propylene glycol for 30 days.

Results: there is no significant differences in T3, T4 and TSH between control and treated groups. Possible toxic goiter seen and there was scalloping of the follicular epithelial cells, also thyroid tissue showed in colloid goiter with cold follicular in which follicles lined by cuboidal follicular epithelial cells and thus may decrease secretion of thyroid hormone.

Conclusion: it is suggested that hyperthyroidism occurred in the young man because administration of androgenic steroid does not only affect T3, T4 and TSH levels as animal studies showed that androgenic steroid in rats exert a proliferative effect on thyroid cells and affect peripheral metabolism.