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Where do anabolic steroids come from?![]()
The body produces testosterone naturally, but natural
testosterone cannot be used as a medicine. In the normal body,
testosterone is released continuously into the bloodstream by the
pituitary gland. In males, it is also released by the testes. It
reaches different parts of the body, has its effects, and then body
enzymes quickly break it down.
When males reach the end of puberty, the amount of
testosterone rises suddenly and stays at a high level for four to
six months before returning to normal. During this time, the
growth plates in the long bones of the arms and legs close, the
voice deepens, facial hair begins to grow and the male sex organs
grow in size. It is this surge in testosterone that completes the
sexual maturation of males.
Some males do not experience this burst of testosterone. When
the role of testosterone was discovered, medical researchers tried
to treat delayed puberty by giving them testosterone. They
discovered that a single dose of testosterone, even a very large
one, is so rapidly broken down by body enzymes that it cannot
imitate the natural hormone surge. To use natural testosterone for
this purpose, a boy would have to have an intravenous infusion bag
constantly putting testosterone into his veins day and night for at
least four months!
The researchers needed to find a way to prevent the body from
breaking down the testosterone so quickly. Through trial and
error, chemists discovered how to alter the testosterone molecule
so it would last longer.(1,2)
There are many kinds of anabolic steroids available to treat
several disease states. In the past, anabolic steroids were taken
from animal tissues for use in early experiments.(1) Today,
anabolic steroids are chemically manufactured rather than being
purified from natural sources.
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REFERENCES
1. Kleiner SM. Performance-enhancing aids in sport - health
consequences and nutritional alternatives. J Amer Coll Nutr
1991 Apr;10(2):163-76.
2. Smith DA, Perry PJ. The efficacy of ergogenic agents in
athletic competition. part 1: androgenic-anabolic steroids.
Annals Pharmacother 1992 Apr;26:520-8.
3. Kopera H. The history of anabolic steroids and a review of
clinical experience with anabolic steroids. Acta Endocrin
1985;271:11-8.
4. Johnson MD. Steroids. Adolescent Med 1991 Feb;2(1):79-93.
5. Wilson JD. Androgen abuse by athletes. Endocrine Reviews
1988;9(2):181-99.
6. Kashkin KB, Kleber HD. Hooked on hormones - an anabolic
steroid addiction hypothesis. J Am Med Assoc 1989 Dec
8;262(22):3166-70.
by Trent Tschirgi, R. Ph.
(c) 1992 University of Maryland Office of Substance Abuse Studies.
All Rights Reserved.
Disclaimer: Steroid use is illegal in a vast number of countries around the world. This is not without reason. Steroids should only be used when prescribed by your doctor and under close supervision. Steroid use is not to be taken lightly and we do not in any way endorse or approve of illegal drug use. The information is provided on the same basis as all the other information on this site, as informational/entertainment value. |
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