Ethyltestosterone is described as a very weak AAS[4][5] and is considerably weaker as an AAS than is methyltestosterone.[6] It is reported to have 1/10 of the anabolicpotency and 1/20 of the androgenic potency of testosterone propionate in rodents.[7] Ethyltestosterone was also inactive in boys with dwarfism at 20 to 40 mg/day orally.[7] The low potency of ethyltestosterone is in notable contrast to norethandrolone (17α-ethyl-19-nortestosterone), the C19 nor analogue.[4]Analogues of ethyltestosterone with longer C17α chains such as propyltestosterone (topterone) have further reduced androgenic activity or even antiandrogenic activity.[2][8] In contrast to ethyltestosterone, its 19-demethyl variant, norethandrolone, is a potent AAS comparable in anabolic activity to testosterone propionate.[5]
^ abSaunders FJ, Drill VA (May 1956). "The myotrophic and androgenic effects of 17-ethyl-19-nortestosterone and related compounds". Endocrinology. 58 (5): 567–572. doi:10.1210/endo-58-5-567. PMID13317831.
^ abShahidi NT (September 2001). "A review of the chemistry, biological action, and clinical applications of anabolic-androgenic steroids". Clinical Therapeutics. 23 (9): 1355–1390. doi:10.1016/s0149-2918(01)80114-4. PMID11589254.
^ abColton FB, Nysted LN, Riegel B, Raymond AL (1957). "17-Alkyl-19-nortestosterones". Journal of the American Chemical Society. 79 (5): 1123–1127. doi:10.1021/ja01562a028. ISSN0002-7863.
^ abSchedl HP, Delea C, Bartter FC (August 1959). "Structure-activity relationships of anabolic steroids: role of the 19-methyl group". The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 19 (8): 921–935. doi:10.1210/jcem-19-8-921. PMID14442516.