Fiber type-specific hypertrophy and increased capillarization in skeletal muscle following testosterone administration in young women
Oscar Horwath, William Apró, Marcus Moberg, Manne Godhe, Torbjörn Helge, Maria Ekblom, Angelica Lindén Hirschberg, Björn Ekblom
Abstract
We have recently demonstrated performance-enhancing effects of moderately elevated testosterone concentrations in young women. Here we present novel evidence that testosterone alters muscle morphology in these women, resulting in type II fiber hypertrophy and improved capillarization. Our findings suggest that low doses of testosterone potently impact skeletal muscle after only 10 wk. These data provide unique insights into muscle adaptation and support the performance-enhancing role of testosterone in women on the muscle fiber level.
Topics & Concepts
Muscle hypertrophyTestosterone (patch)EndocrinologyFiber typeInternal medicineMedicineSkeletal muscleAnatomyBiologyMuscle metabolism and nutritionHormonal and reproductive studiesExercise and Physiological Responses