Date of Award

Spring 5-11-2012

Degree Type

Honors College Thesis

Department

Human Performance and Recreation

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a six-month testosterone supplementation on bone mineral density (BMD) in males ages 19-62. Recruiting potential subject through a local clinic, five subjects were eligible for participation in the study. A pre-supplementation DEXA scan was used to measure BMD of the lumbar spine and hip. A post-supplementation DEXA was done after six months of supplementation; the same sites were scanned. Of the initial five subjects, three subjects completed the study. All subjects showed an increase in serum testosterone levels (∆= +537 ng/dL). After the supplementation subject one showed an increase in BMD for both hip locations, and his total BMD from all three scans improved. Subject two also showed increases in BMD in both hips and total BMD. Despite overall increase in BMD, subject one and subject two both showed a decrease in BMD in the lumbar spine region. Subject three showed a slight decrease in cumulative BMD; however, subject three lacked an initial scan for the lumbar spine region, which could have contributed to the final changes in BMD. Post supplementation, all three subjects observed augmented energy levels. Overall, testosterone supplementation was shown to help maintain or improve BMD in two out of three subjects. Continued addition of subjects will allow for statistical evaluation of data in the future.

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