Testosterone propionate

Absorption

Testosterone propionate presents a slow absorption from the intramuscular site of administration. This slow absorption is due to the presence of the less polar ester group. The absorption rate of testosterone propionate generates a frequent injection requirement when compared with testosterone enanthate or testosterone cypionate. It presents absorption parameters of AUC and residence time of 180-210 ng h/ml and 40-60 h, respectively.

Toxicity

Reports have showed a potential stimulation of cancerous tissue growth. The potential testosterone propionate accumulation in the body produces a high risk of edema secondaryh to water and sodium retention.

Description

Testosterone propionate is an ester of the hormone testosterone. It has been marketed under many fanciful trade names, including Neo-Hombreol and Bio-Testiculina, to treat androgen deficiencies in male humans and animals. The synthesis of testosterone propionate from Δ4-androsten-4-ol propionate and other steroids was patented by several companies in the 1940s, but the drug is little used today.

Chemical properties

Testosterone Propionate occurs as white or almost white powder or colourless to pale yellow, crystals or crystalline powder. It is freely soluble in methanol and in ethanol, and practically insoluble in water.

The Uses of Testosterone propionate

Testosterone propionate is an is an androgen and anabolic steroid (AAS) medication, which directs the development of the male phenotype during embryogenesis and at puberty. It has been widely used by athletes and bodybuilders for physical performance enhancement. Testosterone propionate has also been used for studying its effects on pregnant ewes.

Indications

Testosterone propionate is used in veterinary practice in heifers in order to stimulate maximal growth.

Background

Testosterone propionate is a slower-releasing anabolic steroid with a short half-life. It is a synthetic androstane steroid derivative of testosterone in the form of 17β propionate ester of testosterone. Testosterone propionate was developed initially by Watson labs, and FDA approved on February 5, 1974. Currently, this drug has been discontinued in humans, but the vet application is still available as an OTC.

Definition

ChEBI: Testosterone propionate is a steroid ester.

brand name

Andro heart injecta;Androfort;Androlan in oils;Cortrifosal;Durateston v;Encilcort;Galanrent;Gondrone;Gyno-terazol;Hermo m;Jeifer-old;Malogen in oil;Malotrone;Micro-sterandryl;Napionate;Orchisterone-p;Pantesin;Perandern;Pertesis;Sterotest;Sutanone;Tesrina;Testanderogen;Testenat;Testigrmon;Testilen;Testirene;Testoici;Testoidral;Testonate;Testopinate;Testo-retard;Testoviron (ampule);Testoviron-10/-25/-50;Testoviron-depot-50/-100;Testovis;Testron;Tostrina;Triomone;Vantostol-p;Viromon.

World Health Organization (WHO)

In 1982, low dosage preparations of testosterone propionate, a synthetic ester of the naturally-occurring androgen, testosterone, were prohibited in Bangladesh following their inadmissable promotion as anabolic agents for use in malnourished children. Higher dosage preparations of testosterone propionate remain available in many countries, including Bangladesh, for several highly specific but limited indications including hypogonadism and the palliative treatment of inoperable breast cancer.

General Description

Testosterone propionate appears as odorless white or yellowish-white crystals or a white or creamy-white crystalline powder. (NTP, 1992)

Air & Water Reactions

Insoluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

Testosterone propionate is sensitive to light. Incompatible with alkalis and oxidizing agents. .

Fire Hazard

Flash point data for Testosterone propionate are not available; however, Testosterone propionate is probably combustible.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Androgens direct the development of the male phenotype during embryogenesis and at puberty. Testosterone is an androgen that is secreted by the testis. This hormone is converted to dihydrotestosterone in the target tissues where it regulates several biological functions. Testosterone propionate has been synthetically derived from a plant. This product has extended and faster-acting functions when compared to other testosterone esters.

Pharmacokinetics

The administration of testosterone propionate can induce production of proteins related to male sexual development. Clinical trials have shown a decrease in plasma LH after the administration of testosterone propionate.

Safety Profile

with experimental neoplastigenic, tumorigenic, and teratogenic data. Moderately toxic by ingestion and wintraperitoneal routes. Human male reproductive effects by intramuscular and parenteral routes: changes in spermatogenesis, testes, epid~dpmis, and sperm duct. Human female reproductive effects by intramuscular and parenteral routes: menstrual cycle changes or disorders and effects on ferthty. Experimental reproductive effects. Mutation data reported. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes. See also TESTOSTERONE.

Metabolism

As all testosterone esters, testosterone propionate is rapidly hydrolysed into free testosterone in plasma. Testosterone is metabolized to 17-keto steroids through two different pathways. The major active metabolites are estradiol and dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

Purification Methods

Crystallise the propionate from aqueous EtOH, or Et2O/pet ether (m 121o), and it has max at 240nm (EtOH), and [] 20 +114o (c 1, CHCl3). Also purify it by HPLC. [Ercol & de Ruggieri J Am Chem Soc 75 650, 652 1953, polymorphism: Brandst.tter-Kuhnert & Kofler Mickokim Acta 847, 850 1959, Beilstein 8 IV 977.]

Mode of action

Testosterone Propionate is a short acting oil-based injectable formulation of testosterone. Testosterone inhibits gonadotropin secretion from the pituitary gland and ablates estrogen production in the ovaries, thereby decreasing endogenous estrogen levels. In addition, this agent promotes the maintenance of male sex characteristics and is indicated for testosterone replacement in hypogonadal males.