Testosterone enanthate is an androgen that enhances male muscle mass and strength within a short period of time[1]. Testosterone enanthate increases the level of gonadotropin, reduces the volume of the testicles, and inhibits spermatogenesis[2]. Testosterone enanthate has been widely used to alter the structure and function of the prostate in adult male rhesus monkeys[3].
In vitro, Testosterone enanthate treatment (10µM) for 14 days promoted the differentiation of MG-63 cells and increased the expression of osteogenic differentiation markers (such as COL1A1, ALPL, BGLAP and IBSP)[4]. Incubation of human colon cells with 1mg/ml Testosterone enanthate for 48 hours resulted in decreased cell viability and induction of apoptosis, as well as increased levels of caspase-3 and caspase-3 protein[5].
In vivo, Testosterone enanthate treatment via subcutaneous injection at a dose of 1.2mg/kg three times per week for 12 weeks reduced the weight of the testicles and epididymis in rats and caused abnormalities in the seminiferous tubules[6]. Intramuscular injection of Testosterone enanthate at a dose of 80mg/kg once weekly for 6 weeks slowed body weight gain, decreased the liver weight/body weight ratio, increased hepatic heat shock protein 70/72 content, and elevated the levels of liver stress enzyme markers in the blood of male rats[7]. Intramuscular injection of Testosterone enanthate at a dose of 25mg/kg/week for 10 consecutive weeks elevated prolactin levels in the pituitary and impaired Leydig cell function in adult rats[8].
References:[1] Rogerson S, Weatherby R P, Deakin G B, et al. The effect of short-term use of testosterone enanthate on muscular strength and power in healthy young men[J]. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 2007, 21(2): 354-361.
[2] Giorgi A, Weatherby R P, Murphy P W. Muscular strength, body composition and health responses to the use of testosterone enanthate: a double blind study[J]. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 1999, 2(4): 341-355.
[3] Udayakumar T S, Tyagi A, Rajalakshmi M, et al. Changes in structure and functions of prostate by long‐term administration of an androgen, testosterone enanthate, in rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta)[J]. The Anatomical Record: An Official Publication of the American Association of Anatomists, 1998, 252(4): 637-645.
[4] Ghezzi B, Parisi L, Calciolari E, et al. Testosterone Enanthate: An In Vitro Study of the Effects Triggered in MG-63 Cells[J]. Biomolecules, 2022, 12(8): 1159.
[5] Amani N, Shariati M, Ahmadi R, et al. Testosterone enanthate induces cell death in human colon (HCT) and gastric (AGS) cancer cells[J]. Pakistan J. Zool, 2021, 54: 1153-1161.
[6] Flickinger C J. Effects of testosterone enanthate on the structure of the male reproductive tract of the rat[J]. The Anatomical Record, 1978, 192(4): 555-583.
[7] Sadowska-Krępa E, Kłapcińska B, Jagsz S, et al. High-dose testosterone enanthate supplementation boosts oxidative stress, but exerts little effect on the antioxidant barrier in sedentary adolescent male rat liver[J]. Pharmacological Reports, 2017, 69(4): 673-678.
[8] Bjelic M M, Stojkov N J, Radovic S M, et al. Prolonged in vivo administration of testosterone-enanthate, the widely used and abused anabolic androgenic steroid, disturbs prolactin and cAMP signaling in Leydig cells of adult rats[J]. The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2015, 149: 58-69.