Mesterolone
Mesterolone is a potent orally active derivative of dihydrotestosterone. Similar to methenolone, it possesses a non-toxic 1-methyl group, which increases its resistance to hepatic breakdown. This alteration does not increase the stability of the 3-keto group however, and as such, this steroid is a poor anabolic like its parent.
Drostanolone
Drostanolone is simply dihydrotestosterone with an added 2-methyl group. This addition greatly increases the stability of the 3-keto group, vital to androgen binding. As such, the activity of this steroid in muscle tissue is greatly enhanced (see: Anabolic/Androgenic Dissociation).
Oxymetholone
Oxymetholone is an orally active derivative of dihydrotestosterone. The 17-methyl group is well understood at this point as we have discussed it with many steroids, however, the 2-hydroxymethylene group is not seen on any other commercial steroid. We do know that this group greatly enhances anabolic potency by increasing the stability of the 3-keto group, and that the configuration of this substituent also appears to allow this steroid to bind and activate the estrogen receptor.
Stanozolol
Stanozolol is a potent anabolic steroid, owing to the fact that the 3-2 pyrazol group creates a stable configuration off the A-ring that allows for androgen receptor binding (this steroid is one of the few that does not possess an actual 3-keto group). As such, it is highly active in muscle tissue, unlike dihydrotestosterone.
Methenolone
Methenolone also is a potent anabolic steroid, due to the fact that the c1-2 double bond increases the stability of the 3-keto group. The 1-methyl group works to increase its oral bioavailability, making methenolone (as methenolone acetate) one of the few orally active non-17-alkylated orals. The c 1-2 bond may also help increase hepatic resistance (slightly) to 17-ketosteroid deactivation as well.
Oxandrolone
Oxandrolone is an orally active derivative of dihydrotestosterone, due to its 17-methylation. It also differs from DHT by the substitution of its 2-carbon molecule with oxygen. This is the only commercial steroid to carry this group, and further, the only to have a modification to the base carbon structure of the Steran nucleus. The 2-oxo group increases resistance of the 3-keto group to metabolism considerably, making oxandrolone a potent anabolic.
Llewellyn, William. Anabolics
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