Effects of Castration and Sex Hormones on Hepatic Oxidative Stress in Male Rabbits Exposed to Hydrogen Peroxide

The present study aimed to investigate the antioxidant role of estrogen and its potential protective effect against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative stress, as well as to evaluate the effects of testosterone on the antioxidant status of liver tissue in male rabbits. Seventy-two adult male rabbits were randomly divided into twelve groups (six animals per group): intact, Intact-H₂O₂, castrated, Castrated-H₂O₂, Intact-H₂O₂-testosterone, Castrated-H₂O₂-testosterone, Intact-H₂O₂-estrogen, Castrated-H₂O₂-estrogen, intact-testosterone, castrated-testosterone, intact-estrogen, and castrated-estrogen. Treatment lasted four weeks. Oxidative stress was induced by adding 0.5% of H2O2 to drinking water. Testosterone (10mg/kg) and estrogen (0.5mg/kg) were injected intramuscularly every other day (3 times/ week). Histopathological examination showed that H₂O₂ exposure caused marked vacuolar degeneration of hepatocytes, congestion of the portal vein, and infiltration of inflammatory cells. Castration partially reduced these alterations by decreasing inflammatory responses. Testosterone administration in H₂O₂-treated rabbits resulted in severe hepatocyte necrosis, degeneration, fibrosis, and increased inflammatory infiltration. In contrast, estrogen treatment significantly reduced hepatocyte necrosis, fibrosis, and inflammatory cell infiltration.