Effects of testosterone on the liver of castrated rats: morphologic study

Exp Pathol. 1991;43(1-2):21-4. doi: 10.1016/s0232-1513(11)80135-0.

Abstract

It is well known that castration in rats causes atrophy of the sexual organs and, to a lesser extent, of other organs. We have observed that castration causes a reduction of the liver weight due to a reduction (-10%) of the numerical density of the hepatocytes after castration (p less than 0.01). Testosterone administration at high concentration (2.5 mg/100 g b. wt.) as well as at low concentration (0.025 mg/100 g) in the castrated rats causes an increase of the liver weight due to an increase (+30%) in the cellular area (p less than 0.001) as well as in the nuclear area (+20%) (p less than 0.01) of the hepatocytes, revealing a powerful hypertrophic effect of the hormone in the liver.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Count
  • Liver / cytology
  • Liver / drug effects*
  • Male
  • Orchiectomy*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Testosterone / pharmacology*
  • Weight Gain / drug effects
  • Weight Loss

Substances

  • Testosterone