Effects of resistance training and testosterone enanthate injections in low and high doses on hematological parameters in male Wistar rats

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 8-week testosterone enanthate (TE) injections in high and low doses and resistance training (RT) on hematological parameters in male rats. 42 male adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups (n = 7): control (C): olive oil, RT: resistance training + olive oil, LD (low dose): TE (25 mg kg−1); HD (high dose): TE (50 mg kg−1); RT + LD: RT + TE (25 mg kg−1); and RT + HD: RT + TE (50 mg kg−1). The resistance training consisted of climbing (5 reps/3 sets) a ladder carrying a load suspended from the tail. At the end of 8 weeks, whole blood samples were obtained from the orbital sinus and hematological factors were determined. The data showed that the amounts of packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin (HGB), and red blood cells (RBC) significantly increased in HD and RT + HD groups compared with C group (p < 0.05). Differential cell count showed that neutrophil count significantly increased in HD group compared with C group and eosinophil count significantly decreased in RT + HD group compared with C and LD groups (p < 0.05). The results of the present study showed that in spite of resistance training, use of TE in high doses can cause significantly alterations in some of hematologic factors in male rats.