Lesson of the Week: Anabolic steroid abuse by body builders and male subfertility

Lloyd, FH; Powell, Philip A.; Murdoch, A P

doi:10.1136/bmj.313.7049.100

Cited by 35 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Clinicians can look for increased libido, virilization, and bulk muscle with atrophic testes as signs of AAS use, but counseling patients can be difficult. Many are fearful to disclose their use of illegal substances and subsequently do not report side effects (Lloyd et al, 1996; Cohen et al, 2007). Pope et al (2004) interviewed 80 weightlifters, 54% of whom were current AAS users.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Insults of Illicit Drug Use on Male Fertility

Fronczak

Kim

Barqawi

2012

Journal of Andrology

181

107

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One-third of infertile couples may have a male factor present. Illicit drug use can be an important cause of male factor infertility and includes use of anabolic-androgenic steroids, marijuana, opioid narcotics, cocaine, and methamphetamines. The use of these illicit drugs is common in the United States, with a yearly prevalence rate for any drug consistently higher in males compared with females. We aim to provide a review of recent literature on the prevalence and effects of illicit drug use on male fertility and to aid health professionals when counseling infertile men whose social history suggests illicit drug use. Anabolic-androgenic steroids, marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamines, and opioid narcotics all negatively impact male fertility, and adverse effects have been reported on the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis, sperm function, and testicular structure. The use of illicit drugs is prevalent in our society and likely adversely impacting the fertility of men who abuse drugs.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Insults of Illicit Drug Use on Male Fertility

Fronczak

Kim

Barqawi

2012

Journal of Andrology

181

107

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“…None the less, steroid use is not without its risks. Reported side effects include cardiovascular disorders (Crook 1996) and liver problems (Lloyd et al 1996) as well as changes in personality and mood (Pope & Katz 1994). In addition, steroids have been associated with recreational drug use (Durant et al 1993) and depression (Cowan 1994), both of which may increase HIV risk behaviours (Gold & Skinner 1992; Leigh & Stall 1993).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of anabolic steroids and associated health risks among gay men attending London gyms

Bolding¹,

Sherr²,

Elford³

2002

Addiction

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One in seven gay men surveyed in central London gyms in 2000 said they had used steroids in the previous 12 months. HIV positive men were more likely to have used steroids than other men, some therapeutically. Side effects were reported widely and steroid use was associated with having had suicidal thoughts and feeling depressed, although cause and effect could not be established. Our findings suggest that steroid use among gay men may have serious consequences for both physical and mental health.

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“…Androgen administration suppresses endogenous testosterone and sperm production by suppressing the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis [92,93]. Men using androgens may experience subfertility or infertility [94]. The recovery of the hypothalamicpituitary axis after discontinuation of the exogenous androgen, may take weeks to months, depending on the dose and duration of prior androgen use [95][96][97][98].…”

Section: Potential Adverse Effects Of Androgen Usementioning

confidence: 99%

The physiological and pharmacological basis for the ergogenic effects of androgens in elite sports

Choong¹,

Lakshman²,

Bhasin³

2008

Asian J Andrology

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Androgen doping in power sports is undeniably rampant worldwide. There is strong evidence that androgen administration in men increases skeletal muscle mass, maximal voluntary strength and muscle power. However, we do not have good experimental evidence to support the presumption that androgen administration improves physical function or athletic performance. Androgens do not increase specific force or whole body endurance measures. The anabolic effects of testosterone on the skeletal muscle are mediated through androgen receptor signaling. Testosterone promotes myogenic differentiation of multipotent mesenchymal stem cells and inhibits their differentiation into the adipogenic lineage. Testosterone binding to androgen receptor induces a conformational change in androgen receptor protein, causing it to associate with beta-catenin and TCF-4 and activate downstream Wnt target genes thus promoting myogenic differentiation. The adverse effects of androgens among athletes and recreational bodybuilders are under reported and include acne, deleterious changes in the cardiovascular risk factors, including a marked decrease in plasma high-density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol level, suppression of spermatogenesis resulting in infertility, increase in liver enzymes, hepatic neoplasms, mood and behavioral disturbances, and long term suppression of the endogenous hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Androgens are often used in combination with other drugs which may have serious adverse events of their own. In spite of effective methods for detecting androgen doping, the policies for screening of athletes are highly variable in different countries and organizations and even existing policies are not uniformly enforced.

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Lesson of the Week: Anabolic steroid abuse by body builders and male subfertility

Cited by 35 publications

References 9 publications

The Insults of Illicit Drug Use on Male Fertility

The Insults of Illicit Drug Use on Male Fertility

Use of anabolic steroids and associated health risks among gay men attending London gyms

The physiological and pharmacological basis for the ergogenic effects of androgens in elite sports

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