Springer Nature
European Journal of Applied Physiology
,  volume 122 ,  issue 2 ,  pages 415-423

Genomic predictors of testosterone levels are associated with muscle fiber size and strength

João Paulo Limongi F. Guilherme 1
, 
Ekaterina A. Semenova 2, 3
, 
O. V. Borisov 2
, 
Andrey K. Larin 2
, 
Ethan Moreland 4
, 
Edward V. Generozov 2
, 
I. I. Ahmetov 2, 4, 5, 6
1
 
2
 
3
 
Research Institute of Physical Culture and Sport, Volga Region State University of Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism, Kazan, Russia | 
4
 
5
 
6
 
Publication type: Journal Article
Publication date: 2021-11-18
Springer Nature
scimago Q1
wos Q2
SJR: 1.060
CiteScore: 6.0
Impact factor: 2.7
ISSN: 14396319, 14396327, 03015548
General Medicine
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Physiology
Physiology (medical)
Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Abstract
Purpose

Circulating testosterone levels are a heritable trait with anabolic properties in various tissues, including skeletal muscle. So far, hundreds of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with testosterone levels have been identified in nonathletic populations. The aim of the present study was to test the association of 822 testosterone-increasing SNPs with muscle-related traits (muscle fiber size, fat-free mass and handgrip strength) and to validate the identified SNPs in independent cohorts of strength and power athletes.

Methods

One hundred and forty-eight physically active individuals (47 females, 101 males) were assessed for cross-sectional area (CSA) of fast-twitch muscle fibers. Significant SNPs were further assessed for fat-free mass and handgrip strength in > 354,000 participants from the UK Biobank cohort. The validation cohorts included Russian elite athletes.

Results

From an initial panel of 822 SNPs, we identified five testosterone-increasing alleles (DOCK3 rs77031559 G, ESR1 rs190930099 G, GLIS3 rs34706136 TG, GRAMD1B rs850294 T, TRAIP rs62260729 C) nominally associated (P < 0.05) with CSA of fast-twitch muscle fibers, fat-free mass and handgrip strength. Based on these five SNPs, the number of testosterone-increasing alleles was positively associated with testosterone levels in male athletes (P = 0.048) and greater strength performance in weightlifters (P = 0.017). Moreover, the proportion of participants with ≥ 2 testosterone-increasing alleles was higher in power athletes compared to controls (68.9 vs. 55.6%; P = 0.012).

Conclusion

Testosterone-related SNPs are associated with muscle fiber size, fat-free mass and strength, which combined can partially contribute to a greater predisposition to strength/power sports.

Found 
Found 

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GOST Copy
Guilherme J. P. L. F. et al. Genomic predictors of testosterone levels are associated with muscle fiber size and strength // European Journal of Applied Physiology. 2021. Vol. 122. No. 2. pp. 415-423.
GOST all authors (up to 50) Copy
Guilherme J. P. L. F., Semenova E. A., Borisov O. V., Larin A. K., Moreland E., Generozov E. V., Ahmetov I. I. Genomic predictors of testosterone levels are associated with muscle fiber size and strength // European Journal of Applied Physiology. 2021. Vol. 122. No. 2. pp. 415-423.
RIS |
Cite this
RIS Copy
TY - JOUR
DO - 10.1007/s00421-021-04851-w
UR - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-021-04851-w
TI - Genomic predictors of testosterone levels are associated with muscle fiber size and strength
T2 - European Journal of Applied Physiology
AU - Guilherme, João Paulo Limongi F.
AU - Semenova, Ekaterina A.
AU - Borisov, O. V.
AU - Larin, Andrey K.
AU - Moreland, Ethan
AU - Generozov, Edward V.
AU - Ahmetov, I. I.
PY - 2021
DA - 2021/11/18
PB - Springer Nature
SP - 415-423
IS - 2
VL - 122
PMID - 34792618
SN - 1439-6319
SN - 1439-6327
SN - 0301-5548
ER -
BibTex |
Cite this
BibTex (up to 50 authors) Copy
@article{2021_Guilherme,
author = {João Paulo Limongi F. Guilherme and Ekaterina A. Semenova and O. V. Borisov and Andrey K. Larin and Ethan Moreland and Edward V. Generozov and I. I. Ahmetov},
title = {Genomic predictors of testosterone levels are associated with muscle fiber size and strength},
journal = {European Journal of Applied Physiology},
year = {2021},
volume = {122},
publisher = {Springer Nature},
month = {nov},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-021-04851-w},
number = {2},
pages = {415--423},
doi = {10.1007/s00421-021-04851-w}
}
MLA
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MLA Copy
Guilherme, João Paulo Limongi F., et al. “Genomic predictors of testosterone levels are associated with muscle fiber size and strength.” European Journal of Applied Physiology, vol. 122, no. 2, Nov. 2021, pp. 415-423. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-021-04851-w.