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Intramuscular Androgen Production

Meaning

Intramuscular androgen production, in a non-clinical context, refers to the local synthesis of androgen hormones, such as testosterone, directly within muscle tissue, bypassing the classical endocrine production sites like the testes or adrenal glands. While the primary source of circulating androgens is glandular, muscle cells possess the necessary enzymes, including 17β-HSD and aromatase, to convert circulating precursor steroids into active androgens. This local production is significant because it allows for paracrine action, where the hormone acts directly on the muscle cell to influence muscle protein synthesis and growth. This localized mechanism is key to understanding the tissue-specific effects of steroid hormones.