The role of androgens and global and tissue-specific androgen receptor expression on body composition, exercise adaptation, and performance
Abstract Gonadal testosterone stimulates skeletal muscle anabolism and contributes to sexually differentiated adipose distribution through incompletely understood mechanisms. Observations in humans and animal models have indicated a major role for androgen receptor (AR) in mediating sex differences...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Biology of Sex Differences |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13293-025-00707-6 |
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| author | Sabrina Tzivia Barsky Douglas Ashley Monks |
| author_facet | Sabrina Tzivia Barsky Douglas Ashley Monks |
| author_sort | Sabrina Tzivia Barsky |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Gonadal testosterone stimulates skeletal muscle anabolism and contributes to sexually differentiated adipose distribution through incompletely understood mechanisms. Observations in humans and animal models have indicated a major role for androgen receptor (AR) in mediating sex differences in body composition throughout the lifespan. Traditional surgical, genetic and pharmacological studies have tested systemic actions of circulating androgens, and more recent transgenic approaches have allowed for tests of AR gene function in specific androgen responsive niches contributing to body composition, including: skeletal muscle and surrounding interstitial cells, white and brown adipose, as well as trabecular and cortical bone. Less well understood is how these functions of gonadal androgens interact with exercise. Here, we summarize the understood mechanisms of action of AR and its interactions with exercise, specifically on outcomes of body composition and muscle function, and the global- and tissue-specific role of AR in regulating skeletal muscle, adipose, and bone morphology. Additionally, we describe the known effects of androgen and AR manipulation on female body composition, muscle morphology, and sport performance, while highlighting a need for greater inclusion of female subjects in human and animal muscle physiology and endocrinology research. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e01bc757d42e47b9bab55c549ac8ddde |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2042-6410 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biology of Sex Differences |
| spelling | doaj-art-e01bc757d42e47b9bab55c549ac8ddde2025-08-20T02:30:14ZengBMCBiology of Sex Differences2042-64102025-04-0116112410.1186/s13293-025-00707-6The role of androgens and global and tissue-specific androgen receptor expression on body composition, exercise adaptation, and performanceSabrina Tzivia Barsky0Douglas Ashley Monks1Department of Cell & Systems Biology, Faculty of Arts & Science, University of TorontoDepartment of Cell & Systems Biology, Faculty of Arts & Science, University of TorontoAbstract Gonadal testosterone stimulates skeletal muscle anabolism and contributes to sexually differentiated adipose distribution through incompletely understood mechanisms. Observations in humans and animal models have indicated a major role for androgen receptor (AR) in mediating sex differences in body composition throughout the lifespan. Traditional surgical, genetic and pharmacological studies have tested systemic actions of circulating androgens, and more recent transgenic approaches have allowed for tests of AR gene function in specific androgen responsive niches contributing to body composition, including: skeletal muscle and surrounding interstitial cells, white and brown adipose, as well as trabecular and cortical bone. Less well understood is how these functions of gonadal androgens interact with exercise. Here, we summarize the understood mechanisms of action of AR and its interactions with exercise, specifically on outcomes of body composition and muscle function, and the global- and tissue-specific role of AR in regulating skeletal muscle, adipose, and bone morphology. Additionally, we describe the known effects of androgen and AR manipulation on female body composition, muscle morphology, and sport performance, while highlighting a need for greater inclusion of female subjects in human and animal muscle physiology and endocrinology research.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13293-025-00707-6TestosteroneAndrogen receptorBody compositionSkeletal muscleAdiposeBone |
| spellingShingle | Sabrina Tzivia Barsky Douglas Ashley Monks The role of androgens and global and tissue-specific androgen receptor expression on body composition, exercise adaptation, and performance Biology of Sex Differences Testosterone Androgen receptor Body composition Skeletal muscle Adipose Bone |
| title | The role of androgens and global and tissue-specific androgen receptor expression on body composition, exercise adaptation, and performance |
| title_full | The role of androgens and global and tissue-specific androgen receptor expression on body composition, exercise adaptation, and performance |
| title_fullStr | The role of androgens and global and tissue-specific androgen receptor expression on body composition, exercise adaptation, and performance |
| title_full_unstemmed | The role of androgens and global and tissue-specific androgen receptor expression on body composition, exercise adaptation, and performance |
| title_short | The role of androgens and global and tissue-specific androgen receptor expression on body composition, exercise adaptation, and performance |
| title_sort | role of androgens and global and tissue specific androgen receptor expression on body composition exercise adaptation and performance |
| topic | Testosterone Androgen receptor Body composition Skeletal muscle Adipose Bone |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13293-025-00707-6 |
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