The Effect of an Angiotensin II Antagonist on Hormones of Pituitary-Gonad Axis in Adult Male Rats

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of valsartan, an angiotensin II antagonist, on the function of the pituitary- gonad axis.

Materials and Methods: Adult male Wistar rats (200 to 220 g) were used as experimental and control groups. The 3 experimental groups received either 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg/day valsartan in 1 ml water orally for 28 days, while a set of control group received 1 ml distilled water for the same period of time and another set received no treatment. At the end of the experimental period, blood was collected and serum was analyzed for FSH, LH, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone levels by RIA methods.

Results: There were no significant differences among FSH levels at all doses of valsartan used, while the serum LH level was decreased significantly at the maximum dose of the drug used. Serum testosterone level decreased at both the 200 and 400 mg/kg dose compared to the control, while the dihydrotestosterone level was reduced significantly at all the three dosages used.

Conclusions: According to our founding, suggested that the effects of valsartan on serum LH, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone may be mediated through angiotensin II receptor.