Comparison of the Effect of Eight Weeks of Propolis, Chicory, and Resistance Training on Histopathological and Morphometric Changes of Uterine Tissue in Rats Consuming Testosterone Enanthate

Background: The illegal use of anabolic and androgenic steroids is a public health problem, so that their side effects in women are completely different from those shown in men. Objectives: This study aimed comparison of the effect of eight weeks of Propolis, Chicory, and Resistance training on histopathological and morphometric changes of uterine tissue in rats consuming Testosterone enanthate. Methods: In the experimental study, 40 female Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=8): Control (Placebo), Sham (Resistance training), Resistance training + Testosterone enanthate (20 mg/kg B.W.), Resistance training + Testosterone enanthate + Chicory (6 g/kg B.W.), and Resistance training+ Testosterone enanthate+ Propolis (400 mg/kg B.W.).The resistance training protocol was performed for eight weeks and five sessions per week in four rounds with an intensity of 40 to 160% of the body weight of mice. After weighing and dissection, uterine tissue was examined histologically. Results: The thickness of the endometrial layer in the sham, Testosterone, and Propolis groups showed a significant decrease compared to the control group (p<0.05). Functional layer thickness in the sham, Testosterone, Chicory, and Propolis groups showed a significant decrease compared to the control group (p<0.05). Basal layer thickness showed a significant decrease in Testosterone and Propolis groups compared to the control group (p<0.05). Glands in the Testosterone, Chicory, and Propolis groups showed a significant decrease compared to the control group (p<0.05). The thickness of the myometrial layer showed a significant decrease in the Testosterone group compared to the control, sham, Chicory, and Propolis groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: The results showed that high-intensity resistance training combined with the use of testosterone enanthate causes histopathological changes in the uterus of female rats, and the use of Propolis and Chicory can improve the effects of testosterone enanthate as a treatment.