Anabolic/Androgenic Steroids (AAS)
Anabolic/androgenic steroids (ASS) are analogues of testosterone (a male sex hormone). Testosterone is responsible for several physiological processes such as growth and development of the male sex organs, the maintenance of secondary sex characteristics, growth of the prostate, seminal vesicles, penis, scrotum, the alteration in body musculature and fat distribution etc.
The main carachteristics of the chemical structure of the AAS is the presence of a core 17-carbon steroid structure that gives them anabolic (protein building) and androgenic (masculinizing) properties. The androgenic effects of endogenous testosterone are mainly focused on the development of male reproductive system and of the secondary sexual characteristics. While the anabolic effects include growth factors during puberty (growth and epiphyses closure of long bones enlargement of larynge and vocal cords, improvement of the body musculature, etc.).
The use of AAS for the non physiological enhancement of sport performance is therefore based on their anabolic effect. Many synthetic steroids have been designed and synthesized with the aim of increasing the anabolic action and/or of reducing the androgenic one.
© Copyright 2003 All rights reserved.
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| Notations: | biological and medical sciences |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2003
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| Online Access: | http://www.cafdis-antidoping.net/en/article.asp?articleid=336 |
| Document types: | electronical publication |
| Level: | intermediate |