Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Androgens and muscles

  • Chapter
Testosterone

Abstract

Four thousand years ago, Sushruta described the use of testicular extracts for the treatment of impotence in the Indian scriptures, Ayurveda. In modern times, Charles Eduard Brown-Sequard resurrected interest in the use of testicular extracts for the treatment of aging-related illnesses and symptoms. Brown-Sequard claims to have rejuvenated himself by injecting the extracts of guinea pig testes. It is debatable whether the testicular extracts did him any good; however, for his insight that the secretions of one organ might affect other organs of the body, he is known as the father of modern Endocrinology. Ever since the chemical synthesis of testosterone in the 1930’s, there has been great interest in exploring the anabolic applications of androgens for augmenting muscle size and strength. The widespread abuse of androgenic steroids by athletes and recreational body builders is based on the premise that testosterone produces muscle hypertrophy and improves performance (Cowart 1987; Strauss and Yesalis 1991); this premise remained unsubstantiated for over 50 years, fueling one of the longest running, and highly polarizing debates in Endocrinology (American College of Sports Medicine 1984; Elashoff et al. 1991; Haupt and Rovere 1984; Mooradian et al. 1987; Strauss and Yesalis 1991; Wilson 1988). It is only in the last two to three years that well-controlled studies have unequivocally demonstrated that testosterone induces muscle hypertrophy under specific experimental conditions. We still do not know whether replacement or supraphysiologic doses of androgens improve muscle performance, or produce clinically meaningful changes in body composition in sarcopenic states such as HIV-infection, cancer cachexia, and aging. Furthermore, the anabolic effects of androgens on muscles vary with the age of the individual, the prevalent testosterone levels, the exercise stimulus, and the modulating influence of nutritional factors, growth hormone and other muscle-specific growth factors.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Alen M, Hakkinen K, Komi PV (1984) Changes in neuromuscular performance and muscle fiber characteristics of elite power athletes self-administering androgenic and anabolic steroids. Acta Physiol Scand 122: 535–544

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • American College of Sports Medicine (1984) Position Stand on the use of anabolic-andro-genic steroids in sports. Sports Med Bull 19: 13–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Ariel G (1972) The effect of anabolic steroid (methandrostenolone) upon selected physiologic parameters. Ath Training 7: 190–196

    Google Scholar 

  • Arslanian S, Suprasongsin C (1997) Testosterone treatment in adolescents with delayed puberty: changes in body composition, protein, fat and glucose Metabolism. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 82: 2313–3220

    Google Scholar 

  • Bardin CW (1996) The anabolic action of testosterone. N Engl J Med 335: 52–53

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barrett-Connors E, Khaw K-T (1988) Endogenous sex-hormones and cardiovascular disease in men. A prospective population-based study. Circulation 78: 539–545

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartsch W, Krieg M, Voigt KD (1980) Quantitation of endogenous testosterone, 5-alpha-di- hydrotestosterone and 5-alpha-androstane-3-alpha, 17-beta-diol in subcellular fractions of the prostate, bulbocavernosus/levator ani muscle, skeletal muscle, and heart muscle of the rat. J Steroid Biochem 13: 259–267

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bhasin S, Storer TW, Berman N, Callegari C, Clevenger BA, Phillips J, Bunnell T, Tricker R, Shirazi A, Casaburi R (1996) The effects of supraphysiologic doses of testosterone on muscle size and strength in men. N Engl J Med 335: 1–7

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bhasin S, Bremner WJ (1997 a) Emerging issues in androgen replacement therapy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 82: 3–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhasin S, Storer TW, Berman N, Yarasheski K, Phillips J, Clevenger B, Lee WP, Casaburi R (1997 b) A replacement dose of testosterone increases fat-free mass and muscle size in hypogonadal men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 82: 407–413

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhasin S, Tenover JS ( 1997 c) Sarcopenia: Issues in testosterone replacement of older men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 82: 1659–1660

    Google Scholar 

  • Blanco CE, Popper P, Micevych P (1997) Anabolic-androgenic steroid induced alterations in choline acetyltransferase messenger RNA levels of spinal cord motoneurons in the male rat. Neuroscience 78: 973–882

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bowers RW, Reardon JP (1972) Effect of dianabol on strength development and aerobic capacity. Med Sci Sports Exer 4L: 54

    Google Scholar 

  • Brodsky IG, Balagopal P, Nair KS (1996) Effects of testosterone replacement on muscle mass and muscle protein synthesis in hypogonadal men - a Clinical Research Center Study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 81: 3469–3475

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Byerley LO, Lee WNP, Swerdloff RS, Buena F, Nair KS, Buchanan T, Goldberg R, Bhasin S (1993) Effect of modulating serum testosterone levels in normal male range on protein, glucose, and lipid Metabolism in men: implications for testosterone replacement therapy. Endoer J 1: 253–262

    Google Scholar 

  • Casaburi R, Storer T, Bhasin S (1996) Androgen effects on body composition and muscle performance. In: Bhasin S, Gabelnick H, Spieler JM, Swerdloff RS, Wang C (eds) Pharmacology, Biology, and Clinical Applications of Androgens: Current Status and Future Prospects. Wiley-Liss, New York, NY, pp 283–288

    Google Scholar 

  • Cowart V (1987) Steroids in sports: after four decades, time to return these genies to the bottle. JAMA 257: 421–423

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dahlberg E, Snochowski M, Gustaffsson JA (1981) Regulation of the androgen and glucocorticoid receptors in the rat and mouse muscle cytosol. Endocrinology 108: 1431–1436

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Elashoff JD, Jacknow AD, Shain SG, Braunstein GD (1991) Effects of anabolic/androgenic steroids on muscle strength. Ann Intern Med 115: 387–393

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fahey TD, Brown CH (1973) The effects of an anabolic steroid on the strength, body composition, and endurance of college males when accompanied by a weight training program. Med Sci Sports Exer 5: 272–277

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Forbes GB (1985) The effect of anabolic steroids on lean body mass: the dose response curve. Metabolism 34: 571–573

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Forbes GB, Porta CR, Herr B, Griggs RC (1992) Sequence of changes in body composition induced by testosterone and reversal of changes after the drug is stopped. JAMA 267: 397–399

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Freed DLJ, Banks AJ, Longson D, Burley DM (1975) Anabolic steroids in athletics: crossover double-blind trial on weight lifters. Br Med J 2: 471–474

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fowler WM, Gardner GW, Egstron GH (1965) Effect of an anabolic steroid on physical performance of young men. J Appl Physiol 20: 2038–2044

    Google Scholar 

  • Fryburg DA, Weltman A, Jahn LA, Weltman J, Samojlik E, Hintz RL, Veldhuis JD (1997) Short-term modulation of the androgen milieu alters pulsatile, but not exercise- or growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone-stimulated GH secretion in healthy men: impact of gonadal steroid and GH secretory changes on metabolic outcomes. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 82: 3710–3719

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Golding LA, Freydinger JE, Fishel SS (1974) The effect of an androgenic-anabolic steroid and a protein supplement on size, strength, weight, and body composition in athletes. In: Craig TT (ed). The medical aspects of sports: 15. Chicago, American Medical Association, pp 25–28

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenstein BD (1979) Androgen receptors in the rat brain, anterior pituitary glans and ventral prostate gland: effects of orchiectomy and aging. J Endocrinol 81: 75–81

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gregory JW, Greene SA, Thompson J, Scrimgeour CM, Rennie MJ (1992) Effects of oral testosterone undecanoate on growth, body composition, strength, and energy expenditure of adolescent boys. Clin Endocrinol (Oxford) 37: 207–213

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Griggs RC, Kingston W, Josefowicz RF, Herr BE, Forbes G, Halliday D (1989 a) Effect of testosterone on muscle mass and muscle protein synthesis. J Appl Physiol 66: 498–503

    Google Scholar 

  • Griggs RC, Pandya S, Florence JM, Brooke MH, Kingston W, Miller JP, Chutkow J, Herr BE, Moxley RT (1989 b) Randomized controlled trial of testosterone in myotonic dystrophy. Neurology 39: 219–222

    Google Scholar 

  • Haupt HA, Rovere GD (1984) Anabolic steroids: a review of the literature. Am J Sports Med 12: 469–475

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hervey GR, Hutchison I, Knibbs AV, Burkinshaw L, Jones PR, Norgan NG, Levell MJ (1976) Anabolic effects of mathandienone in men undergoing athletic training. Lancet 2:699– 702

    Google Scholar 

  • Hervey GR, Knibbs AV, Burkinshaw L, Burkinsahw L, Morgan DB, Jones PRM, Chette DR, Vartsky D (1981) Effects of methandienone on the performance and body composition of men undergoing athletic training. Clin Sci Lond. 60: 457–461

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Janowsky JS, Oviatt SK, Orwoll ES (1994) Testosterone influences spatial cognition in older men. Behav Neurosci 108: 625–632

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson LC, Roundy ED, Allsen PE, Fisher AG, Slivester LF (1975) Effect of anabolic steroid treatment on endurance. Med Sci Sports 7: 287–289

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson LC, Fisher G, Silvester LJ, Hofheins CC (1972) Anabolic steroid: effects on strength, body weight, oxygen uptake and spermatogenesis upon mature males. Med Sci Sports 4: 43–45

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Katznelson L, Finkelstein JS, Schoenfeld DA, Rosenthal DI, Anderson EJ, Klibanski A (1996) Increase in bone density and lean body mass during testosterone administration in men with acquired hypogonadism. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 81: 4358–4365

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kenyon AT, Knowlton K, Sandiford I, Kock FC, Lotwin G (1940) A comparative study of the metabolic effects of testosterone propionate in normal men and women and in eunuchoidism. Endocrinology 26: 26–45

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kochakian CD (1950) Comparison of protein anabolic properties of various androgens in the castrated rat. Am J Physiol 60: 553–558

    Google Scholar 

  • Konagaya M, Max SR (1986) A possible role for endogenous glucocorticoid in orchiectomy- induced atrophy of the rat levator ani muscle: studies with RU38486, a potent glucocorticoid antagonist. J Steroid Biochem 25: 305–311

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krieg M (1976) Characterization of the androgen receptor in the skeletal muscle of the rat. Steroids 28: 261–268

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Leslie M, Forger NG, Breedlove SM (1991) Sexual dimorphism and androgen effects on spinal motoneurons innervating the rat flexor digitorum brevis. Brain Res 561: 269–273.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Loughton SJ, Ruhling RO (1977) Human strength and endurance responses to anabolic steroid and training. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 17: 285–296

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Marin P, Krotkiewski M, Bjorntorp P (1992) Androgen treatment of middle-aged, obese men: effects on Metabolism, muscle, and adipose tissues. Eur J Med 1: 329–336.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Marin P, Oden B, Bjorntorp P (1995) Assimilation and mobilization of triglycerides in subcutaneous abdominal and femoral adipose tissue in vivo in men: effects of androgens. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 80: 239–243

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mauras N, Haymond MW, Darmaun D, Vieira NE, Abrams SA, Yergey AL (1994) Calcium and protein kinetics in pre-pubertal boys. J Clin Invest 93: 1014–1019

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mayer M, Rosen F (1975) Interaction of anabolic steroids with glucocorticoid receptor sites in rat muscle cytosol. Am J Physiol 229: 1381–1386

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Michel G, Bauheu EE (1980) Androgen receptor in skeletal muscle: characterization and physiologic variations. Endocrinology 107: 2088.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mooradian AD, Morley JE, Korenman SG (1987) Biological actions of androgens. Endocr Rev 8: 1–28

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morley JE, Perry HM III, Kaiser FE, Kraenzle D, Jensen J, Houston K, Mattammal M, Perry M (1993) Effects of testosterone replacement therapy in old hypogonadal males: a preliminary study. J Am Geriatr Soc. 41: 149–152

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • O’Shea JP (1971) The effects of an anabolic steroid on dynamic strength levels of weight lifters. Nutr Rep Int 4: 363–367

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Shea JP, Winkler W (1970) Biochemical and physical effects of an anabolic steroid in competitive swimmers and weightlifters. Nutr Rep Int 2: 351–355

    Google Scholar 

  • Reid IR, Wattie DJ, Evans MC, Stapleton JP (1996) Testosterone therapy in glucocorticoid- treated men. Arch Intern Med 156: 1173–1177

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saartok T, Dahlberg E, Gustaffsson JA (1984) Relative binding affinity of anabolic-andro- genic steroids, comparison of the binding to the androgen receptors in skeletal muscle and in prostate as well as sex hormone binding globulin. Endocrinology 114: 2100–2107

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Salmons S (1983) Myotrophic effects of anabolic steroids. Vet Res Commun 7: 19–26

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sattler FR, Antonipillai I, Allen J, Horton R (1996) Wasting and sex hormones: evidence for the role of dihydrotestosterone in AIDS patients with weight loss. Abstract #376 presented at the X I International Conference on AIDS. Vancouver, Canada

    Google Scholar 

  • Scidell J, Bjorntorp P, Sjostrom L, Kvist H, Sannerstedt R (1990) Visceral fat accumulation in men is positively associated with insulin, glucose and C-peptide levels, but negatively with testosterone levels. Metabolism 39: 897–901

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sih R, Morley JE, Kaiser FE, Perry HM, Patrick P, Ross C (1997) Testosterone replacement in older hypogonadal men: a 12 month randomized controlled trial. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 82: 1661–1667

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Soliman AT, Khadir MM, Asfour M (1995) Testosterone treatment in adolescent boys with constitutional delay of growth and development. Metabolism 44: 1013–1016

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stamford BA, Moffatt R (1974) Anabolic steroid: effectiveness of an ergogenic aid to experienced weight lifters. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 14: 191–197

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stanhope R, Buchanan CR, Fenn GC, Preece MA (1988) Double blind placebo-controlled trial of low-dose oxandrolone in the treatment of boys with constitutional delay of growth and puberty. Arch Dis Child 63: 501–505

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stanhope R, Brook CG (1985) Oxandrolone in low dose for constitutional delay of growth and puberty in boys. Arch Dis Child 60: 379–381

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Strauss RH, Yesalis CE (1991) Anabolic steroids in the athlete. Ann Rev Med 42: 449–460

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tenover JS (1992) Effects of testosterone supplementation in the aging male. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 75: 1092–1098

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Urban RJ, Bodenburg YH, Gilkison C, Foxworth J, Coggan AR, Wolfe RR, Ferrando A (1995) Testosterone administration to elderly men increases skeletal muscle strength and protein synthesis. Am J Physiol 269: E820–E826

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang C, Eyre DR, Clark R, Kleinberg D, Newman C, Iranmanesh A, Veldhuis J, Dudley RE, Berman N, Davidson T, Barstow TJ, Sinow R, Alexander G, Swerdloff RS (1996) Sublingual testosterone replacement improves muscle mass and strength, decreases bone resorption, and increases bone resorption markers in hypogonadal men - a Clinical Research Center Study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 81: 3654–3662

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ward P (1973) The effects of an anabolic steroid on strength and lean body mass. Med Sci Sports 5: 277–282

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Welle S, Josefowicz R, Forbes G, Griggs RC (1992) Effect of testosterone on metabolic rate and body composition in normal men and men with muscular dystrophy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 74: 332–335

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson JD (1988) Androgen abuse by athletes. Endocr Rev 9: 181–200

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Winters SF, Sherins RJ, Troen P (1984) The gonadotropin-suppressive activity of androgen is increased in elderly men. Metabolism 33: 1052–1059

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Young NR, Baker HWG, Liu G, Seeman E (1993) Body composition and muscle strength in healthy men receiving testosterone enanthate for contraception. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 77: 1028–1032

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Shalender Bhasin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Rachelle Bross
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Thomas W. Storer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Richard Casaburi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Reproductive Medicine, University of Münster, Domagkstrasse 11, D-48129, Münster, Germany

    Eberhard Nieschlag  & Hermann M. Behre  & 

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1998 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Bhasin, S., Bross, R., Storer, T.W., Casaburi, R. (1998). Androgens and muscles. In: Nieschlag, E., Behre, H.M. (eds) Testosterone. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-72185-4_7

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-72185-4_7

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-72187-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-72185-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation