The Acute Effects of Androstenedione Supplementation in Healthy Young Males

We examined the effects of androstenedione supplementation on the hormonal profile of 10 males and its interaction with resistance exercise. Baseline testosterone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, and androstenedione concentrations were established by venous sampling at 3 hr intervals over 24 hr. Subjects ingested 200 mg of androstenedione daily for 2 days, with second and third day blood samples. Two weeks later, they ingested androstenedione or a placebo for 2 days, in a double-blind, cross-over design. On day 2, they performed heavy resistance exercise with blood sampled before, after, and 90 min post. The supplement elevated plasma androstenedione 2-3-fold and luteinizing hormone ∼70% but did not alter testosterone concentration. Exercise elevated testosterone, with no difference between conditions. Exercise in the supplemented condition significantly elevated plasma estradiol by ∼83% for 90 min. Androstenedione supplementation, thus, is unlikely to provide male athletes with any anabolic benefit and, with heavy resistance exercise, elevates estrogen. Key Words: testosterone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, fluid shifts, resistance exercise

Androgen Use by Athletes: A Reevaluation of the Health Risks

It has been estimated that 1 to 3 million male and female athletes in the United States have used androgens. Androgen use has been associated with liver dysfunction, altered blood lipids, infertility, musculotendinous injury, and psychological abnormalities. Although androgens have been available to athletes for over 50 years, there is little evidence to show that their use will cause any long-term detriment; furthermore, the use of moderate doses of androgens results in side effects that are largely benign and reversible. It is our contention that the incidence of serious health problems associated with the use of androgens by athletes has been overstated. Key words: testosterone, exercise, muscle, steroids, hypertrophy

Endocrine Responses to Overreaching Before and After 1 Year of Weightlifting

Nine elite male junior weightlifters (mean age 17.6 ± 0.3 yrs) performed weightlifting tests before (Test 1) and after (Test 2) 1 week of increased training volume (overreaching) and repeated the protocol after 1 year of their training program. Strength increased by Year 2 (p < 0.05) but did not change during either week of increased training volume. The 1-week overreaching stimulus resulted in attenuated exercise-induced testosterone concentrations during Year 1, but augmented exercise-induced testosterone concentrations during Year 2. Testosterone concentrations at 7 a.m. decreased for only Year 1. For both years, the 1-week overreaching stimulus increased Cortisol at 7 a.m., indicative of the increased training volumes. Testosterone/Cortisol was not affected by increased training volume for either year. One year of chronic weightlifting and prior exposure to the overreaching stimulus appears to decrease the detrimental effects of stressful training on the endocrine system. Key words: testosterone, Cortisol, weightlifting, overtraining

PLASMA TESTOSTERONE AND SHELL QUALITY

Plasma testosterone levels were measured in commercial strain Leghorn pullets from 16 to 80 wk of age. Testosterone level was high just prior to first egg, but subsequently declined and stayed at a constant level through the production cycle. There was no relationship between testosterone concentration and eggshell quality (P > 0.05). Key words: Testosterone, shell quality