Testosterone - Effects
Effects of Testosterone
Testosterone (Fig. 1) is the most important male sex hormone. It has both androgenic and anabolic effects (see also Donike et al., 1987):
Androgenic Effects During Puberty
1. Penile growth
2. Growth and development of the seminal vesicles
3. Growth and development of the prostate
4. Increased body hair
5. Growth and patterning of pubic hair
6. Increased density and distribution of facial hair
7. Deepening of the voice
8. Increased sebum production by the sebaceous glands
9. Increased sex drive and sexual interest
10. In physical behavior: aggressiveness
(not confirmed in humans)
Anabolic effects
1. Increase in skeletal muscle mass
2. Increase in hemoglobin concentration
3. Increase in red blood cells
4. Percentage decrease in body fat
5. Regulation of body fat distribution
6. Increased calcium uptake by the bones
7. Increase in total body nitrogen balance
(positive nitrogen balance).
8. Increase in the body’s balance of various electrolytes
References
Donike M, Keul J, Kley HK, Palm D, Felten R Doping – Informationsbroschüre für Athleten und Betreuer Bundesinstitut für Sportwissenschaft. Verlag Karl Hofmann, Schorndorf 1987, 3- 27.
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