Cited by 29Hormonal and reproductive studiesSports Performance and TrainingMuscle metabolism and nutrition

The effects of d-aspartic acid supplementation in resistance-trained men over a three month training period: A randomised controlled trial

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Melville, Geoffrey W., Siegler, Jason C., Marshall, Paul W. M.·2017·PLOS ONE

Abstract

CONTEXT: Research on d-aspartic acid (DAA) has demonstrated increases in total testosterone levels in untrained men, however research in resistance-trained men demonstrated no changes, and reductions in testosterone levels. The long-term consequences of DAA in a resistance trained population are currently unknown. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of DAA to alter basal testosterone levels over 3 months of resistance training in resistance-trained men. DESIGN: Randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled trial in healthy resistance-trained men, aged 18-36, had been performing regular resistance training exercise for at least 3 d.w-1 for the previous 2 years. Randomised participants were 22 men (d-aspartic acid n = 11; placebo n = 11) (age, 23.8±4.9 y, training age, 3.2±1.5 y). INTERVENTION: D-aspartic acid (6 g.d-1, DAA) versus equal-weight, visually-matched placebo (PLA). All participants performed 12 weeks of supervised, periodised resistance training (4 d.w-1), with a program focusing on all muscle groups. MEASURES: Basal hormones, total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), estradiol (E2), sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and albumin (ALB); isometric strength; calf muscle cross-sectional area (CSA); calf muscle thickness; quadriceps muscle CSA; quadriceps muscle thickness; evoked V-wave and H-reflexes, were assessed at weeks zero (T1), after six weeks (T2) and after 12 weeks (T3). RESULTS: No change in basal TT or FT were observed after the intervention. DAA supplementation (n = 10) led to a 16%, 95% CI [-27%, -5%] reduction in E2 from T1-T3 (p<0.01). The placebo group (n = 9) demonstrated improvements in spinal responsiveness (gastrocnemius) at the level of the alpha motoneuron. Both groups exhibited increases in isometric strength of the plantar flexors by 17%, 95% CI [7%, 28%] (p<0.05) as well as similar increases in hypertrophy in the quadriceps and calf muscles. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this paper indicate that DAA supplementation is ineffective at changing testosterone levels, or positively affecting training outcomes. Reductions in estradiol and the blunting of peripheral excitability appear unrelated to improvements from resistance training. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12617000041358.

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  • Accumulation of D-aspartic acid in HPG structures is associated with increased testosterone and luteinizing hormone production.

    “Accumulation of DAA in HPG structures is associated with increased testosterone and luteinizing hormone production.[Citation21]”

    From Ergogenic properties, safety evaluation and regulations of selected ingredients in testosterone booster dietary supplements (2024) · cites this paper as [21]

    The Introduction states that DAA accumulation at HPG sites is associated with increased testosterone production and luteinizing hormone in mammalian studies, specifically in animals. The claim omits that population qualifier; the paper’s Results do not establish an increase in testosterone in the resistance-trained men studied. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • D-aspartic acid can influence all components of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis.

    “DAA can influence all components of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis.”
  • Melville et al. found that 12-week D-aspartic acid supplementation at 6 g per day did not have any significant effect on testosterone concentration and did not increase isometric and dynamic muscle strength in healthy resistance-trained men aged 18-36 years.

    “Melville et al. demonstrated that 12-week supplementation of DAA at a dose of 6 g per day did not have any significant effect on testosterone concentration and did not increase isometric and dynamic muscle strength in healthy resistance-trained men, aged 18–36 years.”

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Authors
Melville, G. W., Siegler, J. C., & Marshall, P. W. M.
Affiliations
Western Sydney University (AU)
Corresponding author
Melville, Geoffrey W.
Venue
PLOS ONE
Published
2017-08-25
Volume
12
Issue
8
Pages
e0182630
ISSN
1932-6203 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2749897407
Cited by
29
References
45
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 4
FWCI
1.95
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • PLoS ONE (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Online (University of Wollongong) (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
Western Sydney University
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Hormonal and reproductive studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
Keywords
resistance training, testosterone, free testosterone, estradiol, sex hormone-binding globulin, muscle hypertrophy, isometric strength, H-reflex, wave V, alpha motoneurons, resistance-trained men, anabolic steroids, muscle cross-sectional area, plantar flexors, quadriceps, triceps surae
MeSH terms
Adult, Double-Blind Method, Electromyography, Humans, Male, Placebos, Weight Lifting, Dietary Supplements, D-Aspartic Acid, Young Adult

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