Endocrine Abstracts

Background: The study of the state of the pituitary-gonadal axis (PGA) in users of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) is important. The severity of inhibition of luteinizing (LH), follicle-stimulating (FSH) hormones, total testosterone (Tt), inhibin B may depend on the type of AAS used, its doses, the simultaneous use of several types of AAS and the duration of their administration.

Aim: To evaluate the levels of LH, FSH, Tt and Inhibin B depending on the type, dose, pattern and duration of the use of AAS.

Methods: An observational prospective study was conducted among male AAS users. During the use of AAS, LH, FSH, and Tt levels were determined by the immunochemiluminescent method, and the inhibin B level was determined by an enzyme immunoassay. Data are presented as median and interquartile range. We used the Fisher’s exact test, Spearman’s Rank correlation coefficient. The differences were considered statistically significant at P < 0.05.

Results: 44 male volunteers were examined, median age 29 [27.75;34] years, the duration of the use of AAS were 6 [3.52; 7] months. AAS: testosterone propionate 97.7% (n = 43), dihydrotestoserone derivatives 65.9% (n = 29) and 19-nortestosterone 47.7% (n = 21). One drug were used 18% (n = 8), 2 drugs 50% (n = 22), 3 drugs 32% (n = 14) participants. Doses of injectable preparations varied: from 750 mg per week 25% (n = 11), to 1000 mg 36% (n = 16), above 1000 mg 39% (n = 17) men. Laboratory tests while using AAS: LH-0.2 mIU/ml [0.04; 0.47], Tt-4.34 ng/ml [1.05; 8.81]. The discrepancy between low levels of LH(0.2 mIU/ml) and normal testosterone levels is explained by exogenous testosterone. In our study, men with high levels of Tt were 29.5% (n = 13), and the maximum value of Tt was 45.56 ng/ml (157.96 nmol/l). In the study, the number of men with a LH level <1.24 mIU/ml were 84% (n = 37) and Tt < 3.4 ng/ml was 47.7% (n = 21) participants. Inhibin B levels during AAS use: 131.7 [72.3;166.4] pg/ml. LH was lower when large doses of AAS were used (P = 0.003), when more AAS was used together (P <0.001), and in cases of dihydrotestosterone (P = 0.018) or 19-nortestosterone (P <0.001). Similar data were obtained for FSH, Tt, Inhibin B. A significant correlation was established between the duration of AAS use (–0.794; P < 0.001), the amount of AAS (–0.411; P = 0.003), the dose of AAS (–0.726; P < 0.001), the type of AAS (–0.602; P < 0.001) and LH levels.

Conclusion: A significant negative effect of the type, dose, duration of use and amount of simultaneously administered AAS on the levels of LH, FSH, Tt and Inhibin B were revealed.