Athletes, androgens

Sex Hormones Testosterone and androsterone are the two most important male sex hormones, or androgens. Androgens are responsible for the development of male secondary sex characteristics during puberty and for promoting tissue and muscle growth. Both are synthesized in the testes from cholesterol. Androstenedione is another minor hormone that has received particular attention because of its use by prominent athletes. 

The answer is c. (Hardman, pp 1451-J 452.) The use of anabolic steroids by athletes has become quite alarming in recent years. These steroids, which have androgenic and anabolic effects, are used to improve... 

Anabolics are testosterone derivatives (e.g., clostebol, metenolone, nan-drolone, stanozolol) that are used in debilitated patients, and misused by athletes, because of their protein anabolic effect. They act via stimulation of androgen receptors and, thus, also display androgenic actions (e.g., virilization in females, suppression of spermatogenesis). 

A number of studies were conducted in order to try and create a drug with high-androgenic and low-anabolic potential however, most attempts were unsuccessful. Because they are structurally similar to testosterone, they exhibit both androgenic and anabolic activity, and are frequently used by athletes for building up muscle mass. At the same time, all of the anabolics currently used have androgenic activity. 

Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), which are analogs of the male hormone testosterone, are used among athletes and bodybuilders. AAS alter the hormonal systems of males and females, and induce many adverse effects. In addition to the sex-related changes, violent behavior and psychological dependence can also occur. The use of AAS in professional sports as well as in high school sports has aroused considerable attention. 

Stanozolol is an androgenic anabolic steroid used in cases of deficiency in protein synthesis and osteoporosis. In spite of its prohibition by the International Olympic Committee since 1974, this compound has been often abused by athletes and in horse-races to enhance performance (25). In recent times, the discovery of stanozolol at injection sites revealed its illegal use as a growth promoter in breeding, despite the ban in the European Union in effect since 1988 (26). 

Many synthetic steroids have been made in an attempt to find "anabolic hormones" with little or no androgenic activity. The effort has been at least partially successful, and the use of anabolic hormones by athletes has become both widespread and controversial. 

Acne is common in patients taking androgens (58). When the effect of testosterone and anabolic steroids on the size of sebaceous glands was studied in a series of male athletes, high doses of all the products tested were found to enlarge the glands (59). 

Hartgens F, Kuipers H. Effects of androgenic-anabolic steroids in athletes. Sports Med 2004 34 513-54. 

Acne Low except if used by androgen sensitive athletes Water Retention Yes, higher in dosages of 280-400mg daily High Blood Pressure Rare (Dosage related)... 

All in all Andriol was reported as a mildly Androgenic / Anabolic steroid that was best used in stacks for its excellent compatibility at dosages of 240-320 mg daily. For novice steroid users, older athletes, and safety conscience individuals, a stack of 200-240... 

Methyltestosterone was reported used commonly by strength oriented athletes and usually with co-committent administration of a high anabolic/low or moderate androgenic drug such as a nandrolone. 

Many athletes who have used high aromatizing AAS have reported a delayed period of HPTA regeneration. As such post-cycle lean mass tissue retention suffers as a negative reaction to suppressed endogenous androgen production. If the boy s are shrunken so is the athlete they are attached to. 

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