Metabolic effects of anabolic steroids.

Abstract

Everyone is familiar with the rapid weight gain which occurs in both boys and girls with the onset of puberty. At this time there is also a spurt in the rate of growth. These effects are brought about by increased secretion of the sex steroids, testosterone in males and oestrogen and progesterone- in females, which occurs at puberty and is maintained thereafter. The physical difference between men and women is also fairly well recognised by most people. The more muscular male owes this mainly to testosterone. The female curves, mainly due to adipose tissue, are an oestrogen effect. The protein anabolic effect of testosterone is well recognised and can be exploited therapeutically. The term 'anabolic ' implies that the substance under consideration is being syn-thesized and stored. In the context of today's discussion