The Effect of Erythropoietin on Testosterone Levels During Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in Rats

Objective: This experimental study examined the effect of erythropoietin (Epo) in a rat model and particularly in an adrenal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) protocol. The effect of that molecule was studied biochemically using blood mean testosterone levels (T).

Materials and methods: 40 rats of mean weight 247.7 g were used in the study. T levels were measured at 60 min (groups A and C) and at 120 min (groups B and D) of reperfusion. Erythropoietin was administered only in groups C and D.

Results: Erythropoietin administration non significantly increased the testosterone levels by 71.21%+44.19% (p=0.1080). Reperfusion time non-significantly decreased the testosterone levels by 65.17%+44.45% (p=0.0792). However, erythropoietin administration and reperfusion time together produced a non-significant combined effect in increasing the testosterone levels by 27.65%+27.21% (p= 0.3006).

Conclusions: Erythropoietin administration whether it interacted or not with reperfusion time has increasing non significant short-term effects on testosterone levels. Perhaps, a longer study time or a higher Epo dose, may reveal clearer and more significant effects.