Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of low dose testosterone undecanonate (TU) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on serum androgen levels in male adult rabbits postinfarction congestive heart failure (CHF) model.Methods48 male 4～5 months old New Zealand rabbits were randomly assigned to ligation of first branch of left coronary artery (n=40) or sham operation (n=8). 3 weeks later, 30 survived model rabbits were randomly treated with TU 3 mg/kg per 2 weeks intramuscular injection (TU group, n=10), DHEA 3 mg/kg/d oral (DHEA group, n=10) or placebo (placebo group, n=10) for 3 months. Serum androgen changes were recorded at 0th, 3rd and 15th week.ResultsAt 3rd week after peration, left ventricular ejection fraction of model animals was 47.6±4.5% lower than that of the sham group (66.7±5.8%) (P<0.05). Serum free testosterone level of model animals returned to normal ranges after low dose TU or DHEA treatment, otherwise DHEAS level was higher than the sham group (P<0.05).ConclusionThe doses used in this research reached physiological dosage to male adult rabbits in postinfarction CHF model.

Key words: rabbit, androgen, congestive heart failure (CHF)