简介：Theintroductionofdesigneroestrogensasatreatmentmedalityinhormonereplacementinwomenhasinvitedtoconsidertheconceptofcompoundswithselectiveandrogeniceffectsformalehonnonereplacementtherapy.Thefullspectrumoftheactionsoftestosteronemaynotbenecessaryofevenundesiredforcertainindicationsfortestosteronetreatment,Todefineforwhatindicationscertainandrogenicpropertiesaredesiredandundesiredmoreinsightinbasicandrogen(patho)physiologyisrequired.Thereisconvincingevidencethataromatizationofandrogeniccompoundstonestrogensmightbeanadvantageformaintenanceofbonemassanditmightalsomitigatenegativeeffectsofandrogensonbichemicalparametersofcardiovascularrisks:thepotentiallynegativeeffectsofoestmgensonprostatepathologyinageingmenneedsfurtherelucidation.Whiletheroleofdihydro-testosterone(DHT)forthemalesexualdifferentiationandforpubertalsexualmaturationisevident,itsroleinmatureandageingmalesseemslesssignificantormayevenbeharmful.Itis,however,ofnotethatanegativeeffectofDHTonprostatepathophysiolog~iscertainlynotproven.Formalecontraceptionaprogestationalagentwithstrongandrogenicpropertiesmightbeanasset.Formostoftheandrogenicactionsthecriticallevelsofandrogensarenotwellestablished.Thelatterisrelevantsincethelargeamountofandrogenmoleculesrequiredforitsbiologicalactions(ascomparedtooestrogens)isanimpedimentinandrogenreplacementmedalities.Theremayberoomformorebiopotentandrogenssincedeliveryoflargeamountsofandrogenmoleculestothecirculationposesproblemsfurtreatmentmodalities.(AsianJAndro11999Jun;1:21-28)