Testosterone function

Testosterone is a male sexual hormone that acts before the birth of a male infant to form the male sex organs. Testosterone functions at puberty and beyond to promote the growth and maturation of the male reproduction system, to develop the sexual drive, and to determine secondary sexual characteristics such as facial hair and voice deepening. 

Some scientific studies indicate that the gam in performance obtained through the use of anabolic steroids is small This may be a case though in which the anecdotal evidence of the athletes may be closer to the mark than the scientific studies The scientific studies are done under ethical conditions in which patients are treated with prescription level doses of steroids A 240 pound offensive tackle ( too small by todays standards) may take several ana bolic steroids at a time at 10-20 times their pre scribed doses in order to weigh the 280 pounds he (or his coach) feels is necessary The price athletes pay for gams in size and strength can be enormous This price includes emotional costs (friendships lost because of heightened aggressiveness) sterility testicular atro phy (the testes cease to function once the body starts to obtain a sufficient supply of testosterone like steroids from outside) and increased risk of prema ture death from liver cancer or heart disease... 

Photoketone (118) has served as the key intermediate in a relatively simple transformation of 3-keto-10/ -steroids to 3-keto-lOa-isomers without the assistance of other functional groups suitably situated next to the ring junction—a task that appears difficult to attempt by other methods. Optimal yields of (118) are achieved by catalytic hydrogenation of the unsaturated ketone (175), the photoisomer of 1-dehydrotestosterone acetate (see section III-C). In this way, a 6-step conversion of 1-dehydrotestosterone acetate (174) to IOa-testosterone acetate (127 acetate) is achieved in good yield. ° ... 

Testosterone, conformation of, 129 molecular model of, 129 structure and function of, 1082 Tetracaine, structure of, 967 Tetrahedral geometry, conventions for drawing. 8... 

Monti-Bloch L., Diaz-Sanchez V. and Jennings-White C. (1998). Modulation of serum testosterone and autonomic function through stimulation of the male human vomeronasal organ with pregna-4, 20-diene-3,6-dione. J Steroid Biochem Molec Biol 65, 237-242. 

Electrolytes, renal and thyroid function, FSH, LH, and testosterone are within normal limits. Elevated prolactin at 115 ng/mL (115 mcg/L). Pregnancy test is negative. 

Androgens are important for general sexual function and libido, but testosterone supplementation is only effective in patients with documented low serum testosterone levels. 

Testosterone also plays a significant albeit complex role in erectile function. Testosterone is responsible for much of a man s libido. With low serum concentrations, libido declines. Additionally, testosterone helps with stabilization of intracavernosal levels of nitric oxide synthase, the enzyme responsible for triggering the nitric oxide cascade. Interestingly, some patients with low or borderline low serum concentrations of testosterone will have normal erectile function, while some with normal levels will have dysfunction. 

Androgens are important for general sexual function and libido, but testosterone supplementation is only effective in patients with documented low serum testosterone levels. In patients with hypogonadism, testosterone replacement is the initial treatment of choice, as it corrects decreased libido, fatigue, muscle loss, sleep disturbances, and depressed mood. Improvements in ED may occur, but they should not be expected to occur in all patients.23 The initial trial should be for 3 months. At that time, re-evaluation and the addition of another ED therapy is warranted. Routes of administration include oral, intramuscular, topical patches or gel, and a buccal tablet. 

Hypogonadism A condition resulting from or characterized by abnormally decreased functional activity of the gonads, with retardation of growth and sexual development or reduced or absent secretion of hormones from the sex glands resulting in low testosterone levels in men. 

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