The effects of dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate on the reproductive and vital organs of male rats.

Recent studies have documented that conventional administration (orally or injections) of DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) or DHEAS (Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate) have induced alteration in tissues of the reproductive track of male rats. However, the exact mechanism of this physiological response has not been extensively studied. In addition, the route of DHEA or DHEAS administration has not been fully investigated. The specific objectives of this study were: (1) to deliver DHEA and DHEAS at a sustained level by means of TCPL delivery system, and (2) to evaluate the ultrastructural changes associated with sustained delivery of DHEA and DHEAS at the reproductive and vital organs level. A total of 12 adult male rats (BW 250-270 gm) were randomly divided into four equal groups. Groups 1-3 were implanted with TCPL ceramic capsules loaded with 200 mg DHEA (low dose), 600 mg DHEA (high dose) and 200 mg DHEAS, respectively. Aseptic surgical techniques were performed throughout the experiment. Blood (2 mls) was collected every other day for biochemical analysis. The weights were recorded bi-weekly. At the end of 21 days post-implantation, all control and experimental animals were sacrificed following standard lab procedure (overdose of Halothane). The reproductive and vital organs were collected, weighed, fixed, embedded, sectioned, and stained (H&E) for histological evaluations. Data obtained from this investigation suggest the following: (1) body weights between the experimental (DHEA and DHEAS) and control were unchanged, (2) weights of the reproductive were significantly different than controls, (3) kidney weights wee the only vital organ that was statistically different than controls, (4) prostatic tissue of the experimental group showed signs of atrophy, and (5) focal atrophy was also evident in the seminferous tubules and testes of DHEA and DHEAS treated rats. Overall conclusion of this study suggest that in male rats, the use of DHEA and DHEAS in a sustained delivery system seems to show some physiological changes in the vital and reproductive organs.