The Effects of Chemical Castration with Degarelix on Bone Turnover: Densitometric and Biomechanics Bone Properties of Male Rats

BACKGROUND: Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists may cause chemical castration in males by suppressing the pituitary-gonadal axis, hence reducing testosterone level. There are limited data on the effects of degarelix, a newer series of potent and long acting GnRH antagonist on bone. OBJECTIVES: The current study aimed at determining the effects of degarelix on bone turnover, bone densitometry, and bone mechanical strength in male rats. METHODS: Eighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham (SHAM), orchidectomized (ORX), and degarelix-induced (DGX) groups. Chemical castration was performed by subcutaneous degarelix injection (2 mg/kg) at the scapular region. The rats were scanned for baseline bone mineral area (BMA), bone mineral content (BMC), and bone mineral density (BMD) using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Following six weeks of experimental period, BMA, BMC, and BMD were measured again with DXA and blood was collected for testosterone and bone biomarkers (osteocalcin and C-terminal of type I collagen crosslink (CTX-1)) measurements. The rats were euthanized and femora were dissected for bone biomechanical strength analysis. RESULTS: Bilateral orchidectomy and degarelix administration significantly lowered serum testosterone level, decreased whole body BMC, femoral BMA, femoral BMC, and femoral BMD (P < 0.05) compared with the SHAM group. However, no significant changes were observed in bone biochemical markers and bone mechanical strength in all experimental groups. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, degarelix administration had comparable effects on bone as bilateral orchidectomy. Administration of degarelix provides an alternative method of inducing testosterone deficient-osteopenia in male rats without need for removing the testes.