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Real Testosterone
Testosterone is a steroid hormone from the androgen group. It is the principal male sex hormone and the "original" anabolic steroid in high demand for sexual as well as sporting performance enhancement. Like other steroid hormones, testosterone is derived from cholesterol.
The largest amounts of testosterone are produced by the testes, but it is also synthesized in smaller quantities by the theca cells of the ovaries, the zona reticulosa of the adrenal cortex, and by the placenta. Substantial amounts of the testosterone in women are also produced from estradiol by reverse aromatization in the liver, adipose cells, and other peripheral tissues.
In the testes testosterone is produced by the Leydig cells. Due to dual function of the male gonad, testosterone directly influences spermatogenesis. Like most hormones, testosterone is supplied to target tissues in the blood where much of it is transported bound to a specific plasma protein, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). Testosterone was first isolated from a bull in 1935. There have been many pharmaceutical forms over the years. Forms of testosterone for human administration currently available in North America include testosterone cypionate and enanthate in oil for injection, testosterone skin patches, a testosterone gel preparation for transdermal absorption and methyltestosterone tablets for oral ingestion. A buccal oral preparation is also available. In the pipeline are a "roll on" delivery method and a nasal spray. Both are under development. However, over the years, as with every hormone, testosterone or other anabolic steroids has also been given for many other conditions and purposes besides replacement, with variable success but higher rates of side effects or problems. Examples include male infertility, a noticeable loss of hair in men,lack of libido or erectile dysfunction, osteoporosis, penile enlargement, height growth, bone marrow stimulation and reversal of anemia, and even appetite stimulation. Drew Voight
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