How, or by what mechanism, does higher testosterone promote higher muscle gains?

[ConkerTheKing]

Obviously we all know the basic concept of higher muscle mass being a masculine secondary sex characteristic, and that raised free testosterone levels are what cause the development of such characteristics.

But I'm curious, how exactly does it work? Does a higher level of testosterone signal the brain that more muscle should be constructed from the same amount of work? Or does the higher testosterone actually create chemical reactions in he muscles themselves, causing them to use more fuel and produce more than they otherwise would?

Does having a higher level mean that you recover faster from workouts and can therefore build more muscle by training more often, or does it cause more muscle to be created during recovery than would otherwise be created? How, in other words, does a higher level of testosterone actually correspond to higher muscle gains? What's the mechanism?

 

[Headholio]

You could write thousands of pages to answer that question. Its complicated. Here's 1 paragraph that's complicated as hell. If you want more than that, get some books on physiology, biochemistry, endocrinology etc.

Anabolic steroids work by binding with the cytoplasmic (free within the cell) androgen receptor. Like all steroids, the steroid-receptor complex has a strong affinity for the nucleus. The complex is translocated into the nucleus and binds to DNA. It is also possible that the steroid and receptor dissociate in the nucleus and act on DNA separately. The rate limiting factor in this process appears to be the cytoplasmic concentration of the receptor, rather than the concentration of the steroid or translocation of the complex. Testosterone also appears to inhibit the catabolic (protein degrading) pathway associated with glucocorticoids, but it is unclear whether this is related to an interaction between testosterone and glucocorticoid or the nuclear behavior of the steroid-receptor complex.

Once in the nucleus, the steroid appears to enhance transcription of specific genes. The resulting mRNA is processed and sent out of the nucleus, resulting in increased protein synthesis.

Catabolic inhibition may also occur in the nucleus if the complex inhibits the transcription of catabolic enzymes.

The presence of the androgen receptor indicates a tissue is androgen sensitive, and it's concentration gives an indication of how sensitive. The receptor is present in a number of organs, including skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle typically contains 0.5-3 femto (1E-12) moles per milligram of protein, while other androgen sensitive organs, like the prostate gland, may have up to 25 times more receptors.

A final observation about feedback in biological systems: in a perfect example of biological control, a byproduct of testosterone metabolism is estradiol, which enhances catabolism. Thus, overadministration of testosterone-analog steroids can feed-back and minimize results.

Muscle Physiology - Steroids

 

[noob35]

I am new to the whole Anabolic Steroid scene. I know nothing about them other than they help build muscle. I have read a little to find out they are not as dangerous as people make them sound. But every place I look no one is willing to show someone the ropes. I work out at a gym at midnight because its the only time my work schedule permits. Could someone show me the path? Or set me in a raft and let me drift into the right direction?

 

[rage22]

Just read the board. You'll learn the way I promise

 

[noob35]

Any threads you suggest?
Its kinda hard to ask specific questions on here without getting kicked off. A guy doesn't want to inject lighter fluid.
Im wanting to gain a good 30 lbs.
My squat is 350 I want to be close to 550/600
My bench is 300 I want to be around 400
My dead Lift is 350 ... 600

Lifting as long as I have been. Eating 500g protein a day. I need to kick it up.

 

[Essie]

Hi Noob35. I suggest you post this question in the diet and training sections. Or, if you are considering steroids for research purposes, then check out the Anabolic Steroids section. Please ensure that you post all the relevant and required stats in your initial thread post. If you haven't done much research on steroids and don't know what they do, what the sides are, how to counter the sides etc, then please spend time on here, use the search button, read through other people's thread where asking for advice, see the advice given etc etc and then formulate something and post it up. You get the pictur, eh?

 

[zazen5]

Any threads you suggest?
Its kinda hard to ask specific questions on here without getting kicked off. A guy doesn't want to inject lighter fluid.
Im wanting to gain a good 30 lbs.
My squat is 350 I want to be close to 550/600
My bench is 300 I want to be around 400
My dead Lift is 350 ... 600

Lifting as long as I have been. Eating 500g protein a day. I need to kick it up.

What is your rush to do all this? Have you maximized all of the currently available options to build strength? Dont assume that you can buy strength. Some people that are natural even with no supplements are stronger than those on roids and creatine. Why? Genetics. Protect yourself by attaching value to what you have already done and go from there. When will your strength ever be enough in your eyes? Im the same way. Im not satisfied with my current lifts. In reality though Im not strong enough to lift my house, but Im stronger than most people walking around. Strength is valuable by what is going in terms of self talk in your head rather than objective reality. Last time I checked most jobs and income dont depend on the ability to rep a volkswagen over your head. Not saying your goals arent valuable. Just try to do it the chemical free route for a while-you wont deal with the hassles and bullshit of not only dealing with a substance that is illegal(should be legal in my view) and you have to worry about that, on top of the risks of gynecomastia and health risks needing bloodwork shit done up by a doctor to make sure levels are normal. Fuck that shit! Why waste your time on shit like that could be done doing something enjoyable like lifting heavy? Save your money! Additionally there are ads all over this site for this sarms shit if you absolutely must go the chemical route. From what I have seen of this that seems safer than steroids, but then you are still dependent on the mail order shit. Up to you.