الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are synthetic compounds which are based on the structure of testosterone hormone and have both androgenic and anabolic effects. Their androgenic effects are changes that occurred in the primary and secondary sexual characters. While, the anabolic effects promote protein synthesis, growth of muscle, bone, red blood cells and enhanced neural conduction. Athletes abuse AAS in the hope of gaining weight, strength, power, speed, endurance, and aggressiveness. However, in spite of their tremendous popularity, their effectiveness is controversial. Anabolic steroids have many adverse effects which are dose-dependent. Many of these effects are reversible upon cessation depending on their use under medical supervision versus abuse. The continuous use of anabolic steroids may lead to abnormal health conditions ranging from merely irritating to life-threatening such as liver damage and cancers. Moreover, AAS adversely affect female genital system due to inhibition of both follicle formation and ovulation leading to irregularities of the menstrual cycle. Abuse of anabolic steroids elicits structural and ischemic changes in the heart resulted in cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction and hypertrophy of the left ventricle. It was mentioned that supraphysiologic doses of AAS lead to mood disturbances (e.g. depression).