Open Access
Research (Published online: 22-03-2022)
11. Effects of testosterone and exercise training on bone microstructure of rats
Catarina Jota-Baptista, Ana I. Faustino-Rocha, Margarida Fardilha, Rita Ferreira, Paula A. Oliveira, Marta Regueiro-Purriños, José A. Rodriguez-Altonaga, José M. Gonzalo-Orden and Mário Ginja
Veterinary World, 15(3): 627-633

Catarina Jota-Baptista: Department of Veterinary Medicine, Surgery and Anatomy, Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, Léon, Spain; Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), Inov4Agro, Vila Real, Portugal.
Ana I. Faustino-Rocha: Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), Inov4Agro, Vila Real, Portugal; Department of Zootechnics, School of Sciences and Technology, Évora, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), Évora, Portugal.
Margarida Fardilha: iBIMED, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro (UA), Aveiro, Portugal.
Rita Ferreira: LAQV-Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry (REQUIMTE), Department of Chemistry, UA, Aveiro, Portugal.
Paula A. Oliveira: Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), Inov4Agro, Vila Real, Portugal; Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.
Marta Regueiro-Purriños: Department of Veterinary Medicine, Surgery and Anatomy, Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, Léon, Spain.
José A. Rodriguez-Altonaga: Department of Veterinary Medicine, Surgery and Anatomy, Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, Léon, Spain.
José M. Gonzalo-Orden: Department of Veterinary Medicine, Surgery and Anatomy, Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, Léon, Spain.
Mário Ginja: Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal; Animal and Veterinary Research Center (CECAV), Vila Real, Portugal.

doi: www.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2022.627-633

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Article history: Received: 07-10-2021, Accepted: 08-02-2022, Published online: 22-03-2022

Corresponding author: Ana I. Faustino-Rocha

E-mail: anafaustino.faustino@sapo.pt

Citation: Jota-Baptista C, Faustino-Rocha AI, Fardilha M, Ferreira R, Oliveira PA, Regueiro-Purriños M, Rodriguez-Altonaga JA, Gonzalo-Orden JM, Ginja M (2022) Effects of testosterone and exercise training on bone microstructure of rats, Veterinary World, 15(3): 627-633.
Abstract

Background and Aim: Male hypogonadism results from failure to produce physiological levels of testosterone. Testosterone in men is essential in masculine development, sperm production, and adult man's health. Osteoporosis is one of the consequences of hypogonadism. Regular physical exercise and exogenous testosterone administration are frequently used to prevent or treat this condition. This study aimed to understand the effects of lifelong exercise training and testosterone levels (isolated and together) in the main bone structure parameters.

Materials and Methods: A total of 24 rats were used and randomly divided into four groups: Control group (CG; n=6), exercised group (EG, n=6), testosterone group (TG, n=6), and testosterone EG (TEG, n=6). A micro-computed tomography equipment was used to evaluate 15 bone parameters.

Results: Both factors (exercise training and testosterone) seem to improve the bone resistance and microstructure, although in different bone characteristics. Testosterone influenced trabecular structure parameters, namely, connectivity density, trabecular number, and trabecular space. The exercise promoted alterations in bone structure as well, although, in most cases, in different bone structure parameters as bone mineral density and medullar mineral density.

Conclusion: Overall, exercise and testosterone therapy seems to have a synergistic contribution to the general bone structure and resistance. Further studies are warranted, comparing different individual factors, as gender, lifestyle, or testosterone protocols, to constantly improve the medical management of hypogonadism (and osteoporosis).

Keywords: bone, exercise training, hypogonadism, micro-computed tomography, osteoporosis, testosterone.