Androstenedione (Andro)

Andro is a prohormone that is close to testosterone. Andro, alone, lacks a hydrogen atom that would otherwise make it testosterone. However, this hydrogen atom is later added by the liver in order to form the testosterone which seems to benefit athletes. Andro is derived from Scotch tree bark and was first discovered in the 1930s. Research on the drug was conducted and, finally, in the 1990s the drug was approved as a supplement that could provide some of the same effects as steroids. 5.6 percent of all Androstenedione that is put into the body ends up as testosterone.

Androstenediol

Androstenediol is very similar to Androstenedione. They both covert to testosterone once put into the body, but Androstenediol has the advantage of producing more male characteristics in its users. This is caused by a lack of a certain 3-keto functional group in the drug’s makeup that causes the drug to not produce estrogen byproduct. This is a definite selling point for the drug as males make up the large majority of athletes who wish to use steroids or supplements to gain muscle mass and they wish to do so without incurring feminization side effects. Adrostenediol does have an increase in the number of other side effects that are seen, such as acne problems. 15.76 percent of Androstenediol that is put into the body is turned into testosterone. This rate is far better than that of Androstenedione and is the basis for why Androstenedione is the one of the most dominant prohormones available. Advantages for men continue because of the drug’s chemical properties that allow it to resist turning into Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which is known to be a large cause of baldness.

Ergopharm 1AD

Ergopharm 1AD is a newer prohormone that has been recently developed by the same man who helped introduce Androstenediol onto the market, Patrick Arnold. Ergopharm 1AD can be taken orally without worry that the liver will strip away the characteristics that are beneficial to athletes. This is possible due to the double bond that is found in the molecule’s first position which allows it to pass through the liver while retaining much of its beneficial attributes. The rate at which Ergopharm 1AD changes into testosterone is grater than that of Androstenediol or Androstenedione which makes it a very effective prohormone.