Abstract

Self-administration of high doses of anabolic steroids and testosterone by power athletes leads to a wide spectrum of endocrine consequences. These are due to direct and/or indirect effects of the steroid use needs serious concideration and research. Verf.-Referatroids administered. There is a rapid decrease in circulating pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations during drug administration which is caused by hypothalamic negative feedback effects of exogenous anabolic steroids, testosterone and/or their metabolites. This leads soon to impairment of testicular endocrine function which is characterized by low circulating concentrations of testosterone precursors. Decreases in trophic stimulation of the testis and its endocrine function are then reflected in impairment of the exocrine function of the testis. Androgenic-anabolic steroid administration also leads to decreases in circulating concentrations of certain hormone-binding proteins such as sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and thyroid hormone binding globulin (TBG). These phenomena are likely due to direct effects on the liver by the androgenic-anabolic steroids. The effect ofTBG may be responsible for decreases in the serum concentrations of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine and triiodothyronine observed during androgenic-anabolic steroid use. Testosterone and certain synthetic anabolic steroids may be converted into estrogens. In the male subjects studied, serum estradiol concentrations increased to values seen in fertile females (e.g. 0.48 NMOL/L). Findings like these explain the gymnecomastia frequently observed under androgenic anabolic steroid use. Verf.-Referat (gekuerzt)