STANOZOLOL, OXYMETHOLONE, AND TESTOSTERONE CYPIONATE EFFECTS ON THE RAT ESTROUS-CYCLE

Anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) effects on the estrous cycle of adul t Long-Evans rats were examined in four different experiments. Sexual receptivity, vaginal cytology, and body weight were monitored througho ut two-week baseline, AAS treatment, and recovery periods. In Experime nts 1-3, rats were administered stanozolol, oxymetholone, or testoster one cypionate within dose ranges selected to mimic the human abuse lev els of each compound. In these studies, the highest doses of stanozoio l (5 mg/kg), oxymetholone (12 mg/kg), or testosterone cypionate (7.5 m g/kg) disrupted the cyclical display of sexual receptivity and vaginal estrus. To compare effects on estrous cyclicity across AAS compounds, rats in Experiment 4 received a single dose (7.5 mg/kg) of each compo und for 2 weeks. At the 7.5 mg/kg dose, all AAS compounds interfered w ith the cyclical display of vaginal estrus, although effects on sexual receptivity were not uniform. No striking AAS effects on body weight were seen in any experiment. The short-term administration of AAS comp ounds at high doses disrupts female neuroendocrine function in rats. ( C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.