Royal Jelly helps maintain testosterone levels while using anabolic steroids in moderate amounts, Iranian researchers discovered when they were experimenting with rats.
Study
The researchers gave male mice 5 mg oxymetholone [structural formula shown on the right] per kg bodyweight orally every day for four weeks. The human equivalent of this dose, for a bodybuilder weighing 100 kg, would be 50 mg oxymetholone per day. And that would be an extreeeeemly modest steroids cycle.
Half of the mice in the group were also given 100 mg Royal Jelly per kg bodyweight every day. The human equivalent of this dose, again for a bodybuilder weighing 100 kg, would be 1 gram Royal Jelly daily.
Another group of mice was given no oxymetholone. In this group half of the mice were also given Royal Jelly.
Results
Oxymetholone reduced the concentration of testosterone in the mice’s blood [OXM] the researchers observed at the end of the four weeks. Royal Jelly supplementation prevented the oxymetholone-induced fall in testosterone level almost completely.
Oxymetholone reduces the activity of the protective enzyme catalase [CAT] in the testes. As a result of this aggressive molecules are able to peroxidize more fatty acids in the cells and the concentration of malondialdehyde [MDA] rose. Royal Jelly prevented this from happening.
The number of mononuclear immune cells in the testes of the mice that had only been given oxymetholone increased. That’s an indication of demolition carried out by the immune system in the no longer active tissue in the testes. Royal Jelly supplementation reduced the increase in the number of mononuclear immune cells.
Conclusion
According to data from the same researchers, Royal Jelly also protects the sperm production in mice that are given oxymetholone. [Avicenna J Phytomed. 2014 Jan;4(1):43-52.]
Protective Role of Royal Jelly in Oxymetholone-induced Oxidative Injury in Mouse Testis
Abstract
ABSTRACT Background: An adverse effect of oxymetholone (OXM), an anabolic-androgenic steroid used as energetic medicine, is reproductive toxicity. Royal jelly (RJ) is an efficient antioxidant that has been used to treat reproductive problems. In this study, we investigated the effects of RJ on OXM-induced oxidative injuries in mouse testes. Methods: Male mice were divided into four groups. Two groups of mice were administered OXM (5 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 28 days. One of these groups received RJ (100 mg/kg/day, p.o.) concurrently. A vehicle-treated control group and a RJ control group were also included. Results: The OXM-treated group showed a significant decrease in the serum testosterone concentration and spermatogenic activities, along with many histological alterations. OXM treatment also caused a significant decrease in catalase activity with an increase in lipid peroxidation in the mouse testes. The above-noted parameters were restored to near normal levels by RJ co-administration. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that RJ protects against OXM-induced reproductive toxicities. Keywords: Mouse, Oxymetholone, Royal Jelly, Testis.
