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. 2023 Apr 5:44:160.
doi: 10.11604/pamj.2023.44.160.36748. eCollection 2023.

Effect of dexamethasone administration on gonadal-fertility functions in female albino rats

Fatima Yousif Mohammed  1 , AbdElkarim Abobaker Abdrabo  1 , Samia Mahdi Ahmed  2 , Ahmed Abdulbadie  2 , Zakaria Eltahir  2 , Amar Mohamed Ismail  3
Affiliations

Effect of dexamethasone administration on gonadal-fertility functions in female albino rats

Fatima Yousif Mohammed et al. Pan Afr Med J. .

Abstract

Introduction: dexamethasone is misused for skin whitening with broad effects on steroidogenesis and ovarian functions. Here in we investigated the impact of dexamethasone administration on gonadotropin Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), prolactin, and ovarian tissues in albino rats.

Methods: in the experimental study, 36 female albino rats weighting (140-162 g) were divided into three groups: control, normal dose received dexamethasone (8.3 μg/kg/day) and high dose (24.9 μg/kg/day), for 30 and 60 days. follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and prolactin (PRL) were measured. Histological ovarian sections were examined.

Results: luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone and prolactin significantly increased (p-value < 0.05) following dexamethasone treatment compared to control. The ovary sections showed degenerative tissue with necrosis of the Graafian follicles, stromal fibrosis, and vacuolation of the interstitial cells.

Conclusion: the study concludes that dexamethasone administration has a potentially adverse effect on gonadotropin, prolactin, and ovarian follicle cells in female albino rats.

Keywords: Dexamethasone; cosmetics; gonadotropins; infertility; lightener; prolactin.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
comparison of the mean follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and prolactin levels of study groups, following treatment with dexamethasone for 30 days
Figure 2
Figure 2
comparison of the mean follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and prolactin levels of study groups, following treatment with dexamethasone for 60 days
Figure 3
Figure 3
histological section of ovary sections stained with (H and E): A) control group; B) treated with the low dose dexamethasone for 60 days; C) treated with a high dose for 30 days; D) treated with high dose for 60 days
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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