Nutrition for Performance
CRN: 6978
October 7, 2013
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Testosterone
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History & Uses
Scott Livingston

How did knowledge of testosterone come about? Well, in 1849 Arnold Berthold, a German scientist conducted the first formal experiment pertaining to hormones. He noticed that chickens that were castrated during development grew up to be passive (lacking fighting and mating behaviors) compared to normal roosters. Arnold Berthold decided to implant testes into the abdomens of castrated chickens. The chickens with implanted testes grew up to behave like normal roosters. Thus, Berthold concluded that the testes much secret some sort of substance since they were not connected to nerves. He said, “ The testes act upon the blood, and the blood acts upon the whole organism.” (Berthold, 1849). In 1889 Charles-Édouard Brown-Séquard, a Harvard professor, decided to inject himself with substance containing extracts from guinea pig and dog testicles; he called this concoction a “rejuvenating elixir” (Brown-Séquard, 1889). Brown-Séquard published in The Lancet that his energy, vigor, and overall health were restored, but the effects did not last long; Brown-Séquard attributed this to placebo effect. Because of these findings, Brown-Séquard was mocked by his colleagues, forcing him to give up on his research. In 1927 Fred C. Koch, a professor at the University of Chicago, realized the potential behind Brown-Séquard’s work. Koch realized he had tons of potential right in his own back yard; the Chicago stockyard. Koch recruited his students to help him extract isolates from over 40 pounds of bull testes. Koch, along with help from his army of students, was able to extract a modest 20mg of substance from the bull testes. Instead of repeating the mistake of Brown-Séquard and injecting the substance into a human subject, Koch decided to inject the substance into castrated chickens, pigs, and rats. Koch and his students noticed that the castrated subjects injected with the substance began to display signs of aggression and sexual behavior.
Thanks to the vision of Brown-Séquard and the aptitude of Koch, The Organon group was able to isolate, testosterone in May of 1935. It was named testosterone because: the stems of testicles and sterol, and the suffix ketone (David KG et al., 1935). In August of 1935, Butenandt and Hanisch chemically synthesized testosterone from a cholesterol base (Butenandt A, Hanisch G, 1935); one week after that, Leopold Ruzicka and A. Wettstein published their own synthesis of testosterone from a cholesterol base (Ruzicka L, Wettstein A, 1935). Although these great feats of discovery were completely independent of one another, Butenandt and Ruzicka shared the 1939 Nobel Peace Prize in Chemistry. Following this, Allan Kenyon’s group showed that testosterone raised nitrogen retention (important for anabolism); they also showed androgenic and anabolic effects of testosterone propionate in men, boys, and women (Kenyon et al., 1940). This period from the 1930’s until the 1950’s is known as “ The Golden Age of Steroid Chemistry” (Schwarz, 1999).
What is Testosterone? Testosterone’s IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemists) name is: 17-hydroxy-10,13-dimethyl- 1,2,6,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17- dodecahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-one. Its CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) number is: 58-22-0. Its chemical formula is: C19H28O2 . Testosterone is steroid hormone from the androgen group. Androgen groups of steroid hormones are hormones that have masculinizing effects on individuals. Testosterone, derived from cholesterol, is produced in the testes in males and ovaries in females; some is also secreted in small amounts from the adrenal cortex. Like all hormones, testosterone, travels throughout the bloodstream and binds to tissues in order to influence physical and psychological activity.
Testosterone can benefit an individual physically in a wide range of ways. It plays a key role in fat distribution, muscle strength and mass, red blood cell production, sex drive, sperm production (males only), energy, etc. It also enlarges organs in males such as: heart, liver, lungs, etc. Testosterone can also effect an individual psychologically by affecting a persons: memory, attention, spatial ability, aggression, libido (sex drive), mood, etc (Moffat & Hampson, 1996).
Since males are the sex that testosterone affects the most, lets focus on them. “In males, about 44% is bound to Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG), 50% to albumin and 2-3% 'free’ ” (Manni et al., 1998). A male’s total testosterone range should be between 300 and 1,100 nanograms per deciliter, with the ideal number being around 450-600 nanograms per deciliter (Liu, 2005). According to a study in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine men that have higher-than-normal testosterone are rewarded with certain benefits, but also carry high risks. Booth reported the results as follows: “Men whose testosterone levels were slightly above average were 45% less likely to having high blood pressure, 72% less likely to have experienced a heart attack and 75% less likely to be obese than men whose levels were slightly below average; these men were also 45% less likely to rate their own health as fair or poor “ (Booth, 1999). Judging by these results, every person, man or woman, would want their testosterone levels to be elevated. As with everything else in today’s world, there is a catch. Booth also reported some not so enthralling results saying: “ These men were also 24% more likely to report one or more injuries, 32% more likely to consume five or more drinks in a day, 35% more likely to have had a sexually transmitted infection, and 151% more likely to smoke “ (Booth, 1999). This is a classic case of high risk, high reward. The higher testosterone naturally keeps you healthier by reducing high blood pressure, chances of a heart attack, and your chances of being obese. But since higher testosterone is also linked to an individual being more likely to take bigger risks, it also increases your chances having an injury, being a chronic smoker, and an alcoholic. All of those negative sides seem to evenly counter act the positive sides, making the benefit of higher testosterone null. Booth also went on to say that not every individual with higher testosterone is automatically destined for a life of a smoke in one hand and a beer in the other. He reminds his readers that higher testosterone only ups the chances of these negative qualities; it is up to the individual to not partake in the risks.
How is testosterone used to treat diseases and illnesses? Probably the biggest thing testosterone is used for, medically, is to treat men who have low testosterone. Low testosterone can also be called hypogonadism; a medical term that is defined as the decrease (or stopping) testicular production of testosterone. According to one study, as many as one in four American men have low testosterone (Benson, 2013); this is an astoundingly high number. Men reach their peak of testosterone production around 20, and then it slowly declines for the rest of their life. Although a significant decrease can happen as early as 30, it’s not common; however, it becomes relatively common in the mid-40s and older (Booth, 1999). Men who have low testosterone experience side effects ranging from a decline in physical energy, strength, and stamina; a decrease in sex drive and sexual dysfunction; more aches and pains in the bones and joints (Liu, 2005). As you can see, low testosterone can completely shut down a man’s life; this is where Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) comes in to play. Men with low testosterone are prescribe TRT by their physician to help correct this imbalance and bring their lives back to normal. TRT has the following variety of approved options in the United States: testosterone esters (shots), testosterone pellets, transbuccal testosterone, testosterone patch, and testosterone gel. Testosterone esters are one of the cheaper, yet more effective ways of treating low testosterone. The two esters that are commonly used are testosterone enanthate and testosterone cypionate. Both esters peak within 2-3 days of injection and drop slowly to subnormal levels within 1-2 weeks. Recommend dosing is 100-250mg every two weeks (Edelstein, 2006). Testosterone pellets are implanted (two to six pellets at once, depending on dosing) subcutaneously every three to six months. Pellets are implanted in the lower abdomen, upper thigh, deltoid, and gluteal muscles. Each pellet contains 75mg of crystalline testosterone that slowly releases over a four to six month time period. Transbuccal testosterone is one of the newest TRT approved by the United States. It is administered through a small, tablet-like system that adheres to the gum tissue just above the incisors. Transbuccal testosterone is absorbed slowly, as it is hydrated by the buccal mucosa (Ross et al., 2004). Because transbuccal testosterone is absorbed and transported directly into the superior vena cava it avoids the hepatic metabolism (Ross et al., 2004). Each tablet contains 30mg and must be applied twice daily. Between the newness and amount of dosing of this treatment, it is relatively expensive costing around $250 per month. Testosterone patches usually contain 5mg of testosterone and applied once nightly, generally to the abdomen, upper arms, back, or upper thighs (Basaria, 2003). Patches have practically been replaced with the introduction of testosterone gel. Gel is the most commonly used, yet most expensive, of all the TRT methods (Basaria, 2003). The Gel contains 1% testosterone and is usually applied daily to the abdomen, upper arm, or shoulder. Level peek within 15 to 22 hours and level out in one to two days (Basaria, 2003). Correcting a male’s low testosterone levels can also lead to other issues being fixed such as: sexual dysfunction (decreased sex drive and erectile dysfunction), body composition, depression, cognition, and an overall well being. Even though TRT is completely safe and highly recommended, it is not without potential side effects. Individuals partaking in TRT can experience: decrease is testicular size, decrease in sperm production and fertility, acne, gynecomastia (enlargement of a males breasts), and sleep apnea. When you compare the benefits and potential negative side effects of TRT, an individual should unquestionably see that the benefits are far greater. A wise professor once said, “ I think every man should take Testosterone Replacement Therapy if they need it “ (Ramsey, 2013).
How is testosterone used to gain an athletic or competitive edge? The first thing you must look at is that testosterone is banned as a performance enhancing drug by the WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency), Olympics, NCAA, NFL and most professional sports in the United States. Testosterone can be used by any athlete, male or female, to increase their athletic performance. It is even used by people who are not traditionally considered athletes; body builders. The biggest benefit of taking testosterone to gain a competitive edge is the increase in muscle strength; all other benefits fall short in comparison. If an athlete has muscles that are stronger, the sky is the limit for their potential. Football players can block better, run stronger, throw further, hit harder; sprinters are able to bust out of the blocks, add more force to each stride; soccer players are able to kick the ball further downfield, power the ball past the goalie, and be more physical for air balls. The list could go on and on for every sport. If players have this gain in muscle strength they are able to run faster, jump higher, and play their respective sport more physically. This gain in ability permits the players to play with added confidence, giving them a mental edge which allows them to take risks they normal wouldn’t because their bodies are performing at an exceptionally high rate.
Testosterone is a key hormone is the every day lives of men and women all around the world. It is an essential hormone that keeps people healthy, mentally sharp, and horny. It is also used extensively for treating men with low testosterone, low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, and even depression. Some people even use it to help combat the affects of HIV (although the research of its effectiveness is inconclusive). Testosterone is a substance that every athlete wishes the could take; it has an immense amount of positive affects on an athletes performance that could take their skill and ability to new levels.

Works Cited

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http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/575492
http://www.chemindustry.com/chemicals/607434.html