Histopathology and immunolocalization of androgen receptor (AR) in the uterus of female rats treated with synthetic steroid associated to melatonin

Abstract

Over recent years, non-clinical use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) has become a major concern of public health agencies and the scientific community. Literature reports damage promoted by these drugs in female reproduction, even at therapeutic doses. Furthermore, it is known that the hormone melatonin has excellent antioxidant and prophylactic properties, including in the reproductive tissue.The aim of this study is to investigate if treatment with melatonin has a protective effect on the uterine tissue of rats treated with the steroid nandrolone decanoate, as well as the immunolocalization of the androgen receptor.So far, there are no reports in the literature with this association. Wistar female rats (n=32) will be separated into four groups: a) Diestrus Control - CD (daily subcutaneous injection of mineral oil for 15 days); b) Treated with Nandrolone Decanoate - DN (7.5 mg/kg body weight, daily subcutaneous injection for 15 days); c) Treated with melatonin - MT (daily subcutaneous injection of mineral oil for 8 days and intraperitoneal injection of melatonin in a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight, over the last 7 days of treatment); d) Treated with DN and MT (daily subcutaneous injection of the steroid for 15 days and administration of melatonin over the past 7 days of the steroidal treatment).The estrous cycle will be monitored daily. At the end of the experiment, the rats will be sacrificed, the reproductive organs (ovaries and uterus) will be collected and weighed, and the uterine horns will be processed by histological and immunohistochemical technique for pathological analysis of the tissue and immunolocalization of androgen receptor (AR), respectively.