Bioavailable testosterone and androgen receptor activation, but not total testosterone, are associated with muscle mass and strength in females.

ABSTRACT: Testosterone, the major androgen, influences the reproductive and non-reproductive systems in males and females via binding to the androgen receptor (AR). Both circulating endogenous testosterone and muscle AR protein content are positively associated with muscle mass and strength in males, but there is no such evidence in females. Here, we tested whether circulating testosterone levels were associated with muscle mass, function, or the muscle anabolic response to resistance training in pre-menopausal females. Twenty-seven pre-menopausal, untrained females (aged 23.5 ± 4.8 years) underwent a 12-week resistance training programme. Muscle strength, size, power, and plasma and urine androgen hormone levels were measured. Skeletal muscle biopsies were collected before and after the training pr

SUBMITTER: Alexander SE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12456396 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature