Dehydroepiandrosterone(DHEA) – weak androgene

Dehydroepiandrosterone and its conjugated sulphate(DHEA-S)  are steroid chormones(synthetized in adrenal glands) that are physiologically present in bigger concentration in blood. Physiology role of DHEA is not the clearest. DHEA can be converted from the blood into androstenedione or androstenediol, that become again converted into testosterone. These chormones can be aromatized in estrogenes or reducted to dihydrotestosterone(DHT) in the presence of 5 alpha-reductase in peripheral tissues. Maximal concentration of this chormone in blood at healthy males and females is in 20^th year of life. After that the level of DHEA progressively drops, so in seventh decade it is reducted for 50%.

Though DHEA ingestion raises the level of androstenedione and DHEA, it is not cleared whether oral consumption of DHEA raises testosterone level. It is known that artefitially increased testosterone level supremes endogene production of testosterone through negative feedback(hypothalamus- pituitary gland – testis).

Researches were worked where DHEA was applied in doses of 50-100mg per day at females. Increase of DHEA and testosterone level in blood were spotted. Virilization effects were manifested(acne, male type hair, deeper voice, hair loss…).

Benefitions that are prescripted to this substance are positive effect on aging process, sexual potence renewal and increase in mental functions.

Additional researches are needed to determine physiology functions of this chormone and eventual benefits that would support this intake theory. 

Appliance in sport

Some researches shew that administration of DHEA doesn’t have significant effect on changes in body composition(muscle mass increase and muscle power) and resistance training success. Changes of other factors were not spotted: level of serume and free testosterone, estrogene, lipid profile in serum and others. It is thought that factors like: initial metabolic profile, nutrition status, training index( frequency x intensity x volume), dosing(quantity, intake schedule, way of appliance, length of appliance) and growth, have influence to effects of applied DHEA.

DHEA rimifons are found in free market. Some call them supplements, or additions to the nutrition. However, this rimifon is found on the list of prohibited substances.

Doses that are often recommended by DHEA sellers are 50-100mg per day. Users of this chormone usually enter the amounts that are bigger than 300mg per day. Ingestion is usually done as a cycle of 2 weeks intake, one week rest.

Detection

Dehydroepiandrosterone is unable to be detected by existing methods of doping controle.


“Doping in sport”, Marina Djordjevic Nikic