The effect of levothyroxine on the changes of sex steroid hormones’ and the ultrastructure of ovarian tissue in Three Spot Gourami (Trichogaster trichopterus)

Abstract

Today, the high consumption of levothyroxine in society has made this drug used as one of the bestselling and well-known drugs for hypothyroid patients. The long-term use of this drug can cause side effects. In this study, the effects of levothyroxine on ovarian tissue were examined. The purpose of this study was to investigate sex steroid hormones and the ultrastructure of ovarian tissue in Three
Spot Gourami.The number of 75 mature female Three Spot Gourami(3to6 month age) were released in 5 separate groups (3 treatment groups, intact group, and solvent group) each group including 5 pieces of fish and 3 repetitions totaling 15 pieces in the aquariums; Intramuscular injection was done every other day and at last dissection was done. The results showed that there was a significant difference between the levels of sex hormones among the control and treatment groups (P<0.05). It should be noted that the stimulating effect of levothyroxine drug on maturation and sex steroid levels was shown as a significant increase in testosterone and 17-beta-estradiol and 17-hydroxyprogesterone in mature female Three Spot Gourami. And finally, the results of this study showed that levothyroxine had a dose-dependent effect in increasing maturation.Also levothyroxine increased membrane thickness and gap junctions; therefore intercellular exchanges were increased.