Biochemical evaluation of testosterone propionate-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in Wistar rat

Abstract

The biochemical assessment of testosterone propionate (TP)-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in male Wistar rats was studied. Thirty-five mature male Wistar rats, with an average weight of 210 g, were randomly distributed into seven groups comprising five rats each. Male Wistar rats were induced by subcutaneous injection of various concentrations of TP. Group 1 received only food and water and was designated the control group, while Groups 2, 3 and 4 were respectively given 4, 6 and 9 mg kg^-1b.w of TP subcutaneously for 11 days. Groups 5, 6 and 7 received 4, 6 and 9 mgkg^-1 body weight respective doses for 21 days. The animals were fed with standard rat chow and clean water ad libitum. The animals in Groups 2, 3 and 4 were sacrificed at the end of 11 while Groups 2, 3 and 4 were sacrificed at the end of 21 days. Sperm morphology and characteristics were observed and measured. A variety of biochemical indices including oxidative stress markers were assessed. The volume (0.10 ± 0.00 ml) viability (86.5±11.5%), activity (47.5±12.5%), and sperm count (56.0±12.3×10⁶) were significantly decreased (p<0.05) in group 2 when compared with the respective values obtained in group 1. Inducement with different concentrations of TP significantly (p<0.05) increased abnormal sperm features observed in group 2. Superoxide dismutase (0.60 ± 0.01 U/L) was significantly increased (p<0.05) in group 2, but the values were increased beyond normal after inducement with varying concentrations of TP for 21days especially in the tissue homogenate compared with the values of the antioxidants parameters in the blood. The biochemical and morphological changes observed in the serum and testis of rats in the study may have been caused by the administration of testosterone propionate.