Boldenone Undecylenate is a testosterone derived anabolic androgenic steroid that is best known by the trade name Equipoise given to it by Squibb in the 1970’s. While Equipoise is officially classified as a veterinarian grade anabolic steroid, the first batches of Boldenone were introduced on the human grade pharmaceutical market by Ciba in the early 1950’s under the brand name Parenabol. Human grade Boldenone would see some success in human medicine through the 1960’s and 70’s but would ultimately be discontinued by the end of the decade. Since that time, the steroid has only been available through veterinarian medicine and underground labs with the Equipoise name dominating the market. Fort Dodge Animal Health now owns the Equipoise name.
For decades, it has been assumed that Equipoise was very similar to Deca Durabolin (Nandrolone Decanoate). This assumption was in part based on comments the late Dan Duchaine made about the steroid. However, the two compounds are not similar in any way; in fact, Duchaine would recant the statement, but the initial statement has been enough to keep the rumor alive. If Equipoise shares anything in common with another anabolic steroidal hormone, it would be testosterone, but EQ as it’s commonly known is unique in its own right. An important note regarding the differences in these two steroidal hormones; Nandrolone carries a strong progestin nature, while Boldenone carries no progestin characteristics.
Equipoise (Boldenone Undecylenate) is a structurally altered form of testosterone. It is a very slight change in an added double bond at the carbon one and two position. This double bond greatly reduces the hormone’s androgenicity, as well as estrogenic nature. It is then attached to the very large or long Undecylenate ester, which is responsible for controlling the release of the hormone once administered into the body. The Undecylenate ester allows for a peak release in Boldenone approximately 3-4 days after injection, with a slow continuous release of the hormone to follow for approximately 21 days.
Due to its structural change, Equipoise only aromatizes at approximately 50% the rate of testosterone. Estrogenic side effects are possible, but the odds are highly in the individual’s favor compared to testosterone. It is not as powerful of a mass builder as testosterone, not even close, but the reduced estrogenic activity should allow the individual to make cleaner gains through supplementation.
Equipoise shares many similarities regarding direct enhancement properties with testosterone. Common shared properties include its ability to enhance protein synthesis, nitrogen retention in the muscles, inhibit glucocorticoid hormones and increase IGF-1 output. Equipoise is also well known for increasing red blood cell count, a trait shared by most all anabolic steroids. However, issues of concern have been noted regarding how much Equipoise can increase red blood cell count. But available data tends to support this only being a concern with extremely high dose use for extremely long periods of time. In many ways, the increase in red blood cells provided by Equipoise can be fast and rapid, but may not present a significant advantage or disadvantage compared to most anabolic steroids when used responsibly. Without question, a moderate increase in cell production would be very advantageous for most any athlete.
