Androstenedione (4-androstenedione)

Androstenedione (4-androstenedione)

Androstenedione, also known as 4-androstene-3,17-dione, or "andro," is an endogenous weak androgen steroid hormone. It is naturally produced in the adrenal glands, ovaries, and testicles in both men and women. It serves as a precursor, or intermediate, in the body's natural synthesis of more potent hormones, specifically testosterone and estrogen. For this reason, it has been used as a dietary supplement, particularly by athletes and bodybuilders, to attempt to increase muscle mass and strength. However, scientific evidence supporting these claims is largely inconclusive, and it is a controlled substance in many countries.

Benefits

The purported benefits of androstenedione are primarily related to its role as a precursor to testosterone. These include:

• Increased muscle mass and strength: This is the most common reason for its use as a supplement. The idea is that by increasing testosterone levels, it will lead to increased muscle anabolism. However, studies have shown that in men, androstenedione supplementation often does not significantly increase testosterone levels or improve athletic performance.

• Increased energy and libido: Some users report a boost in energy and sexual function, which is often associated with higher testosterone levels.

Side Effects

The side effects of androstenedione are a significant concern and are the primary reason for its classification as a controlled substance. These side effects can be serious and are similar to those caused by other anabolic steroids.

In men:

• Gynecomastia (enlarged breasts): Androstenedione can be converted to estrogen, leading to the development of breast tissue.

• Testicular atrophy (shrinking testicles) and decreased sperm production: The body's natural testosterone production can be suppressed.

• Acne and oily skin

• Increased risk of prostate cancer

• Hair loss (male-pattern baldness)

• Cardiovascular issues: High blood pressure, blood clots, and heart problems.

• Liver damage

In women:

• Virilization (development of male characteristics): This can include a deeper voice, excessive body and facial hair (hirsutism), and clitoral enlargement.

• Disruption of the menstrual cycle and infertility.

• Decreased breast size.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Potential for muscle growth: While not consistently proven, some individuals may experience a modest anabolic effect, especially in women.

• Readily available as a supplement (in some places): It was once widely available over the counter, but this has changed due to its classification as a controlled substance.

Cons:

• Serious health risks: The side effects are a major concern, including potential liver damage and cardiovascular issues.

• Ineffectiveness in men: Many studies have shown that androstenedione supplements do not significantly increase testosterone or improve athletic performance in men.

• Estrogenic effects: The conversion to estrogen can cause undesirable side effects in both men and women.

• Legality and doping: It is banned by most major sports organizations and is a controlled substance in many countries.

Dosage and Frequency

There is no universally accepted safe or effective dosage for androstenedione, and its use is not medically recommended for performance enhancement. In studies, dosages of 100 mg taken three times daily have been used, but these studies have shown mixed results and a high potential for side effects.

Half-Life and Detection Time

The half-life of androstenedione is very short, and it is metabolized and cleared from the body relatively quickly. However, its metabolites can be detected for a longer period. While a precise half-life isn't readily available for androstenedione itself in many common sources, it is important to note that its metabolites can be detected in drug tests for a period of several days to a week or more, depending on the specific test and the dosage used. This is why it is on the list of banned substances for most athletic competitions.

Sterogenic, Progestogenic, and Prolactin Effects

• Sterogenic: Androstenedione is a steroid hormone. It is a precursor to testosterone and estrogen, meaning it has both androgenic (male hormone) and estrogenic (female hormone) effects. Its direct androgenic effect is weak, but its conversion to more potent hormones is the reason for its side effects.

• Progestogenic: Androstenedione is not considered a progestin and does not have significant progestogenic activity.

• Prolactin: There is no evidence to suggest that androstenedione directly impacts prolactin levels. However, imbalances in sex hormones, which can be caused by androstenedione use, can indirectly influence other hormonal systems.

Anabolic-Androgenic Ratio

The anabolic-androgenic ratio is a way to measure a steroid's anabolic (muscle-building) effects compared to its androgenic (masculinizing) effects. Testosterone is the benchmark and is typically assigned a ratio of 1:1.

Androstenedione itself has a very low anabolic-androgenic ratio. Its effects come from its conversion into more potent hormones like testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Because its conversion to testosterone is not very efficient and it can also be converted to estrogen, its anabolic effects are limited, and it carries significant androgenic and estrogenic side effects. Therefore, it is not a potent anabolic agent and is considered a poor choice for performance enhancement due to its high risk-to-benefit ratio.