What are androgenic/anabolic steroids?
Androgen
- generic term for an agent,
usually a hormone, that stimulates activity of the accessory male sex organs,
encourages development of male sex characteristics, or prevents changes in the
latter that follow castration.
The common term used for
androgenic steroids is "anabolic steroids", these are steroids which
mirror the chemical make up of the male sex hormones (androgens), in fact,
andro
and testosterone are inter-convertible in our body.
Testosterone
produces it's effect on tissues by altering the cellular biochemistry in an
interaction with the cell nucleus. The testosterone diffuses into the cell
(it is lipid soluble, and therefore can cross cell membranes uninhibited).
Once inside the cell, it combines with a testosterone binding protein which
transports it to the cell nucleus. Here the testosterone interacts with one
or more specific binding sites and activates the synthesis of one or more
proteins which may be either enzymes or structural proteins. (Mottram, 1988).
The initial development
of these steroids took place in the 1930's, for the purpose of treating
hypogonadism. This is a condition where the testes do not produce enough
testosterone, consequently effecting normal physical growth and sexual
functioning.
During this time, it was
also discovered that these drugs could stimulate enhanced development of
skeletal muscle. This knowledge led to widespread use in the
bodybuilding/weight lifting community which has extended to other sports.
Effects of androgenic steroids on the voice, general effects
Common uses for androgenic steroids
Implications of androgenic steroid use in voice therapy