EFFECTS OF BILATERAL ORCHIDECTOMY ON HORMONE PROFILE OF MALE WISTAR RATS

Bilateral orchidectomy is a surgical procedure usually carried out for males with prostate cancer and other diseases affecting both testes. This study was carried out to observe the effect of bilateral orchidectomy on the gonadotropin hormones, (LH, FSH), PRL and the steroid hormones, (Progesterone, Testosterone and Oestrogen). Ten (10) male Wistar rats were used for the experiment. The rats were divided into two experimental groups: 1- control (Co) (n=5), 2 - Treatment group (Tr) (n=5). The rats in the treatment group were bilaterally orchidectomized under chloroform anaesthesia. The rats were sacrificed after 4 weeks. Blood samples were collected from the IVC and assayed for LH, FSH, Prolactin, Progesterone, Testosterone and Oestrogen hormones. The study showed that bilateral orchidectomy increased serum levels of LH and FSH concentrations (3.247±0.152 and
1.177±0.039) which were statistically significant (p<0.05). There was no change in the serum level of Prolactin (p>0.05). However there was statistically significant decrease (p<0.05) in the serum concentrations of Progesterone, Testosterone and Oestrogen. This study showed that bilateral orchidectomy increased serum level of LH and FSH, the two hormones principally required for stimulating Testosterone production and spermatogenesis respectively. The sex steroids, Progesterone, Testosterone and Oestrogen were decreased. Testosterone is needed for spermatogenesis and in conjunction, FSH results in spermiation. The decrease in testosterone therefore may lead to infertility in the castrated rats.