Testosterone and muscle protein metabolism.

This presentation discusses recent investigations into testosterone's effects on muscle protein metabolism. Protein synthesis is the principal end point, but protein breakdown and the availability of an amino acid pool are important to the process of net muscle protein synthesis. The effects of other hormones--including growth hormone, oxoandrolone (a synthetically derived testosterone), and androstenedione--on muscle protein synthesis also are discussed. Effects in both normal and elderly men are considered.