Anabolic steroids are synthetically produced variants of which hormone?

Anabolic steroids are synthetically produced variants of testosterone, which is a primary male sex hormone. Testosterone plays a crucial role in muscle growth, strength, and overall physical development. The synthetic variants, known as anabolic steroids, are designed to enhance these properties, which is why they are often misused by athletes and bodybuilders seeking to gain muscle mass and improve athletic performance.

Understanding the connection between testosterone and anabolic steroids is essential, as it underscores the physiological basis for how these substances affect the body. This also highlights the reasons for the regulation and scrutiny surrounding their use in sports and fitness, as they can lead to significant physical changes but also carry health risks. Other options listed—estrogen, cortisol, and insulin—are hormones that have different functions and effects in the body and are not related to the synthesis of anabolic steroids.