The ovarian volume and number of primordial follicles were estimated by stereological methods. Results: The results showed a decrease in the ovarian volume, number of primordial follicles, and level of gonadotropins in the ND-treated animals compared with the vehicle groups. In the rats treated with 3 mg/kg of ND with hMG, an increase in the ovarian volume and number of primordial follicles was shown as compared to the rats treated with the same dose of ND without hMG.

Conclusion: ND exerted detrimental effects on the dimensions of the ovary, number of follicles, and level of sex hormones. However, hMG, prevented the harmful effects of ND (at least in a low dose) on the ovarian follicles. Keywords: Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical Nandrolone decanoate, Gonadotropin, Ovary Introduction Pharmaceutical usage of anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs) has Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical led to an increase in the incidence of infertility among young couples. These steroids impose some reproductive disorders

through counteracting gonadotropins. Although athletes are the main consumers of AASs to increase their muscle mass, non-athletes undergoing incorrect fitness or bodybuilding courses also take these drugs to reduce their body fat. Moreover, AASs are taken to improve self-esteem, Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical cross-gender competition, and self-protection in women.1,2 Numerous studies have been performed on the effects of AASs on ovarian follicles. It has been shown that AASs induce apoptosis in the follicular cells of rats’ antral follicles.3,4 They also influence the morphology of the uterus and ovaries, causing histopathological changes, including epithelial vacuolization and endometrial stromal fibrosis, Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical and reducing the reproductive capacity in rats.3,5 AASs can also disrupt the hypothalamic-hypophyseal-gonadal axis and decrease the serum level of gonadotropins.6 Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical A stereological study showed that follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) increases the number of the ovarian follicles

in rats due to a synergy it creates with gonadotropins.7 Nandrolone decanoate (ND) is an AAS which is widely used nowadays. These drugs make it act as potential male sex hormones. ND reduces FSH and luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion through a negative feedback mechanism and subsequently leads to menstrual and Brefeldin_A follicular disorders.2,8 Almost all the studies conducted on the effects of ND on the histomorphology of the ovary and Y-27632 clinical trial uterine tissues, have unanimously reported a significant decrease in the antral follicle count and changes in the uterine tissue morphology.9,10 Recent studies have shown reduced number of antral follicles on rat ovarian tissue and increased epithelial as well as the endometrial stromal thickness and estral acyclicity.5,8 Therefore, as was shown in the above mentioned studies, structural and functional modifications in the ovarian follicles might increase the infertility rate.