The history of injectable steroids, including testosterone and other anabolic steroids, is a rich narrative of scientific discovery and medical advancement. Here’s an overview that spans from the discovery of testosterone to the development of various anabolic steroids used in therapy and sports:
Discovery and Synthesis of Testosterone
1889: Charles-Édouard Brown-Séquard’s experiments with animal testicle extracts set the stage for hormone replacement therapy, though not directly leading to the discovery of testosterone.
1927: Fred C. Koch’s work at the University of Chicago led to the initial isolation of testosterone from bulls, albeit impractically low in yield.
1935: Ernst Laqueur isolated testosterone in a more usable form, marking a pivotal moment in hormone research and paving the way for synthetic analogs.
Development of Injectable Testosterone
Late 1930s: Synthetic testosterone was created, thanks to Adolf Butenandt and Leopold Ruzicka, facilitating the development of testosterone therapy.
1937: Testosterone Suspension, a water-based solution of testosterone, was introduced. It was fast-acting but had a very short duration, requiring frequent injections.