In the body, it is produced by the adrenal glands and gonads from dehyroepiandrosterone (DHEA or 17- alpha-hydroxyprogesterone). DHEA is converted into androstenedione an the enzyme in the gonads. Androstenedione is a precursor of testosterone. Once the androstenedione is taken orally, it makes it into the liver where it is almost destroyed completely, the amount that survives combine with the enzyme 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase to make testosterone as shown in the figure below. Taking androstenedione orally can increase androstenedione blood serum levels over 300 percent after about 2 hours and remaining high for 4 hours. Studies have shown that androstenedione by itself does not produce increased muscle mass but once converted into testosterone in the liver, the elevated testosterone levels may lead to muscle mass gain, but not proven.
Description: 4-Androstenedione, popularly known as Androstenedione or 4-AD, has many other names. The synonyms of 4-Androstenedione include 17-ketoestosterone, Andro, Androstene,Androst-4-ene-3,17-dione,4-Androstene-3,17-dione, 4-Androstenedione, Androtex, 63-05-...