Title: Testosterone Cypionate – A Potent Long-Acting Androgenic Anabolic Steroid Word Count: 440 Summary: Testosterone is a powerful androgenic hormone, which is produced chiefly in male testes and female ovaries. Testosterone is also secreted by the adrenal glands in small amounts. It is the chief male sex hormone and an anabolic steroid. It is responsible for the development of male secondary sex characteristics. Keywords: Testosterone Cypionate Article Body: Testosterone is a powerful androgenic hormone, which is produced chiefly in male testes and female ovaries. Testosterone is also secreted by the adrenal glands in small amounts. It is the chief male sex hormone and an anabolic steroid. It is responsible for the development of male secondary sex characteristics. Testosterone plays chief role in keeping good general health and well being in both males and females; for instance, it regulates libido, energy, immune function, and provides protection against osteoporosis. The male sex hormone not only promotes sex drive, but also regulates body fat – helps to reducing fat, maintain and gain lean muscle mass and bone density, and in some cases it also helps in protecting against heart disease. Testosterone Cypionate is an injectable anabolic steroid that is available as prescription drug in the United States. Testosterone Cypionate is sold in the United States under the brand name “Depo-Testosterone”. Testosterone comes with a slow-acting ester with a release time between 8-10 days in Depo-Testosterone. Thus, Testosterone Cypionate is actually Testosterone attached with a long-acting cypionate ester to delay its release into the body. Testosterone Cypionate is manufactured by many pharmaceutical companies, such as Organon and UpJohn. The chemical formula of Testosterone Cypionate is C8H14O2. Its chemical name is 17beta-Hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one cyclopentylpropionate. Its anabolic/androgenic ratio is 100/100. Its anabolic/androgenic ratio makes it a good drug to use for gaining more size and strength. Testosterone Cypionate promotes nitrogen retention which helps the muscle to store more protein. It also promotes the growth of IGF-1 in muscle tissue, builds satellite cells which helps in repairing damaged muscles. It binds to androgen receptor for promoting A.R for muscle gain and fat loss. It helps to improve shape, size, appearance and number of muscle fibers. It also helps to promotes the production of red blood cells and can also help in recovering from strenuous physical activity. It improves neuromuscular transmission. However, Testosterone Cypionate is often linked with various side effects. Some of the side effects associated with Testosterone Cypionate include Hypercalcemia in immobilized patients, hepatic adenomas, hepatocellular carcinoma, and peliosis hepatic – if used for a long period of time. Edema, with or without congestive heart failure can occur in patients with pre-existing cardiac problems. Nausea, vomiting, changes in skin color, ankle swellings are some other side effects. It promotes aggressive and dominant behavior also. Thus, Testosterone Cypionate is prescription, Schedule III drug in the United States. It is used under doctors’ prescription. Testosterone Cypionate is used anywhere between once every week to once every three weeks. The effective dose for men is 300-2000mg/week, but Testosterone Cypionate is not recommended for women.