European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

THE RELATION BETWEEN ANABOLIC ANDROGENIC STEROIDS (AASs) USE AND THE DECREASE IN SPERM COUNT AMONG MALE ATHLETES IN DAMASCUS SYRIA

Mazen Ismail Allouche and Lama Ayad Al Adal*

ABSTRACT

The objective of this cross sectional study is to know the relation between anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs) use and the decrease in sperm count among male athletes in Damascus – Syria. Eighty athletes were included in the study. The athletes were divided into two groups, group I included 40 subjects with a history of AAS use, while group II also included 40 subjects with no history of AAS use. The study showed that 37.5% of AAS users had sperm count below the normal values (62.5% normal - 12.5% mild oligospermia - 17.5% moderate oligospermia - 7.5% severe oligospermia). This findings indicated that use of AAS can lead to a decrease in sperm count, moreover smoking cigarette, cannabis use and alcohol intake had a negative impact on sperm count.

Keywords: AASs Use. Anabolic Androgenic Steroids. Sperm Count. Semen Analysis. Oligospermia. Spermatogenesis.