Androgens MCQs With Answer provide B. Pharm students a focused, high-yield review of androgen pharmacology, therapeutic uses, adverse effects, and clinical monitoring. This set covers steroidal structure–activity relationships, testosterone biosynthesis and metabolism (including 5α‑reduction and aromatization), androgen receptor signaling, common synthetic androgens and antiandrogens, formulations and routes, pharmacokinetics, and safety issues like hepatotoxicity, lipid changes, and reproductive effects. Questions emphasize mechanism, indications, contraindications, drug interactions, and laboratory monitoring to prepare for exams and practical prescribing scenarios. Clear explanations reinforce core concepts and clinical relevance for pharmacists in training. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. Which is the primary endogenous androgen in adult males?
- Testosterone
- Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
- Androstenedione
- Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
Correct Answer: Testosterone
Q2. Which androgen has the highest intrinsic affinity for the androgen receptor?
- Testosterone
- Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
- Androstenedione
- Nandrolone
Correct Answer: Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
Q3. Which enzyme converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT)?
- Aromatase
- 5-alpha reductase
- 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase
- CYP3A4
Correct Answer: 5-alpha reductase
Q4. Which drug is a competitive inhibitor of 5-alpha reductase commonly used for benign prostatic hyperplasia?
- Finasteride
- Flutamide
- Spironolactone
- Ketoconazole
Correct Answer: Finasteride
Q5. The primary genomic action of androgens is mediated by which mechanism?
- Activation of membrane G protein–coupled receptors
- Binding to cytoplasmic androgen receptor and translocation to nucleus
- Direct interaction with ion channels
- Inhibition of aromatase
Correct Answer: Binding to cytoplasmic androgen receptor and translocation to nucleus
Q6. Which testosterone ester is commonly administered via intramuscular injection for replacement therapy?
- Testosterone enanthate
- Methyltestosterone
- Testosterone undecanoate oral
- Oxandrolone
Correct Answer: Testosterone enanthate
Q7. Which oral androgen is associated with significant hepatotoxicity due to 17α-alkylation?
- Methyltestosterone
- Testosterone gel
- Nandrolone decanoate (IM)
- Testosterone enanthate (IM)
Correct Answer: Methyltestosterone
Q8. Which process explains the development of gynecomastia during testosterone therapy?
- Aromatization of testosterone to estradiol
- Conversion of testosterone to DHT
- Direct stimulation of prolactin release
- Inhibition of 5-alpha reductase
Correct Answer: Aromatization of testosterone to estradiol
Q9. Which drug is a nonsteroidal androgen receptor antagonist used in prostate cancer?
- Flutamide
- Finasteride
- Testosterone undecanoate
- Oxandrolone
Correct Answer: Flutamide
Q10. Nandrolone (anabolic steroid) is known pharmacologically to:
- Increase erythropoiesis and promote nitrogen retention
- Be primarily aromatized to estradiol
- Have no effect on muscle protein synthesis
- Act as a pure androgen receptor antagonist
Correct Answer: Increase erythropoiesis and promote nitrogen retention
Q11. A common adverse effect of exogenous androgen abuse in males is:
- Testicular atrophy and decreased spermatogenesis
- Increased HDL cholesterol
- Hyperprolactinemia
- Hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: Testicular atrophy and decreased spermatogenesis
Q12. The androgen receptor in target cells is normally located in the:
- Plasma membrane
- Nucleus permanently bound to DNA
- Cytoplasm bound to heat shock proteins
- Mitochondria
Correct Answer: Cytoplasm bound to heat shock proteins
Q13. Oral bioavailability of unmodified testosterone is low primarily because of:
- Poor intestinal absorption due to polarity
- Extensive first-pass hepatic metabolism
- Rapid renal excretion unchanged
- Degradation by gastric acid
Correct Answer: Extensive first-pass hepatic metabolism
Q14. Aromatase inhibitors reduce which effect of androgens?
- Conversion to DHT
- Aromatization to estradiol and estrogen-mediated effects
- Binding to androgen receptor
- Testosterone synthesis in Leydig cells
Correct Answer: Aromatization to estradiol and estrogen-mediated effects
Q15. A licensed clinical indication for therapeutic androgen use is:
- Hypogonadism in adult males
- Treatment of prostate cancer as monotherapy
- Primary therapy for breast cancer in women
- Chronic kidney disease without anemia
Correct Answer: Hypogonadism in adult males
Q16. Androgen administration is contraindicated in pregnancy because it can cause:
- Teratogenic cardiac defects
- Virilization of a female fetus
- Neural tube defects
- Gestational diabetes
Correct Answer: Virilization of a female fetus
Q17. Which laboratory tests are most important to monitor during long-term androgen therapy?
- Serum PSA and liver function tests
- Thyroid function tests and serum calcium
- Serum amylase and lipase
- Fasting insulin and C-peptide
Correct Answer: Serum PSA and liver function tests
Q18. The primary mechanism of action of finasteride is:
- Androgen receptor antagonism
- Inhibition of aromatase
- Inhibition of 5-alpha reductase
- Inhibition of CYP3A4
Correct Answer: Inhibition of 5-alpha reductase
Q19. Which antiandrogen is classified as nonsteroidal and used to block receptor binding?
- Spironolactone
- Flutamide
- Finasteride
- Testosterone propionate
Correct Answer: Flutamide
Q20. The gene encoding the androgen receptor is located on which chromosome?
- Chromosome X
- Chromosome 21
- Chromosome 7
- Chromosome Y
Correct Answer: Chromosome X
Q21. Which synthetic anabolic steroid has relatively low androgenic activity and is sometimes used for weight gain?
- Oxandrolone
- Methyltestosterone
- Dihydrotestosterone
- Flutamide
Correct Answer: Oxandrolone
Q22. Which testosterone preparation provides a long duration of action when given intramuscularly?
- Testosterone enanthate (short-acting)
- Testosterone undecanoate (long-acting)
- Methyltestosterone oral
- Testosterone gel (topical)
Correct Answer: Testosterone undecanoate (long-acting)
Q23. Ketoconazole can reduce androgen levels by which mechanism?
- Antagonizing androgen receptor directly
- Inhibiting steroidogenic cytochrome P450 enzymes and androgen synthesis
- Blocking aromatase only
- Inhibiting 5-alpha reductase selectively
Correct Answer: Inhibiting steroidogenic cytochrome P450 enzymes and androgen synthesis
Q24. Spironolactone exhibits antiandrogenic effects because it:
- Enhances aromatase activity
- Actively degrades androgen receptor
- Competes with androgens at the receptor and inhibits androgen synthesis
- Is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor
Correct Answer: Competes with androgens at the receptor and inhibits androgen synthesis
Q25. Which 5-alpha reductase inhibitor blocks both type I and type II isoenzymes?
- Finasteride (type II selective)
- Dutasteride (type I and II inhibitor)
- Spironolactone
- Flutamide
Correct Answer: Dutasteride (type I and II inhibitor)
Q26. A commonly used topical androgen formulation is:
- Testosterone transdermal gel
- Testosterone undecanoate oral capsule
- Finasteride topical lotion
- Flutamide cream
Correct Answer: Testosterone transdermal gel
Q27. Complete androgen insensitivity syndrome typically results from mutations in the androgen receptor and yields which phenotype in a 46,XY individual?
- Normal male genitalia
- Ambiguous genitalia at birth
- Phenotypic female with undescended testes
- Phenotypic male with gynecomastia only
Correct Answer: Phenotypic female with undescended testes
Q28. The best single laboratory measure to estimate biologically active testosterone is:
- Total testosterone without context
- Free testosterone or calculated bioavailable testosterone
- Serum androstenedione level
- Serum LH alone
Correct Answer: Free testosterone or calculated bioavailable testosterone
Q29. Which cytochrome P450 isoform plays a major role in testosterone metabolism?
- CYP2D6
- CYP3A4
- CYP1A2
- CYP2C9
Correct Answer: CYP3A4
Q30. Chronic supraphysiologic anabolic steroid use typically causes which pattern of lipid changes?
- Increased HDL and decreased LDL
- Decreased HDL and increased LDL
- No significant change in lipids
- Decreased triglycerides only
Correct Answer: Decreased HDL and increased LDL
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