Influence of Androstenedione on Sedentary Female Rats

The pUfPose of this study was to examine the influence of androstenedione supplementation on plasma testosterone, cortisol, and cholesterol, mean arterial pressure (MAP), body weight, organ weights, and bone mineral density (BMD) in female rats. At age 10 weeks, an initial BMD measure was made. Rats in the andro group (n = 13) received implants designed to deliver 1 J.lg androstenedione per gram body wt per day. Rats in the control group (n = 13) received similar implants containing dextrose. After 8 weeks an arterial catheter was surgically implanted. MAP was measured for 30 minutes during home cage rest and a blood sample was taken for measurement of plasma cholesterol and testosterone. The next day animals were exposed to a novel stress (immersion in shoulder-deep, 37 ·C water) for 15 minutes. MAP was measured before, during, and after the stress, and blood samples were taken for measurement of plasma cortisol. Animals were then euthanized and a final BMD measurement was made. The heart, liver, kidneys, adrenal glands, and ovaries were excised and weighed. Plasma cholesterol was significantly lower in the andro group, but there were no differences in MAP, plasma testosterone, plasma cortisol, body weights, organ weights, or BMD between groups.