TESTOSTERONE FACTS
Testosterone is the most important androgen in the human body. The effects of androgens are most evident during puberty, as they elicit dramatic physiological changes in the male body, including the onset of secondary male characteristics, hair growth pattern,sebaceous gland activity and maturation of sperm and libido. These are considered the virilizing or ‘androgenic’ effects. Daily testosterone synthesis ranges from 2.1 to 11.0 mg in individual males, with normal plasmatic levels of 300–1000 ng/dL, which progressively decline with age. Testosterone has several possible metabolic fates [4]. First,it binds to the androgen receptor (AR) in target tissues to exert its effects. Second, it is reduced to 5α-dihydrotestosterone (5DHT),which also acts on the AR. Following a different path, testosterone may be aromatized to oestradiol to exert oestrogeniceffects, typically water retention, breast tissue growth and an increase in body fat deposition.
Testosterone is the most important androgen in the human body. The effects of androgens are most evident during puberty, as they elicit dramatic physiological changes in the male body, including the onset of secondary male characteristics, hair growth pattern,sebaceous gland activity and maturation of sperm and libido. These are considered the virilizing or ‘androgenic’ effects. Daily testosterone synthesis ranges from 2.1 to 11.0 mg in individual males, with normal plasmatic levels of 300–1000 ng/dL, which progressively decline with age. Testosterone has several possible metabolic fates [4]. First,it binds to the androgen receptor (AR) in target tissues to exert its effects. Second, it is reduced to 5α-dihydrotestosterone (5DHT),which also acts on the AR. Following a different path, testosterone may be aromatized to oestradiol to exert oestrogeniceffects, typically water retention, breast tissue growth and an increase in body fat deposition.
