Substance in Pistorius' Bedroom: Sex Enhancer?

Turns out it wasn't testosterone
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Feb 27, 2013 1:41 PM CST
Substance in Pistorius' Bedroom: Sex Enhancer?
In this photo taken Feb. 22, 2013 Olympic athlete, Oscar Pistorius, in court in Pretoria, South Africa, for his bail hearing charged with the shooting death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.    (Themba Hadebe)

Oscar Pistorius' representatives have named the substance found in his bedroom after the shooting death of his girlfriend as Testis compositum and said today it is an herbal remedy used "in aid of muscle recovery." A product called Testis compositum is also marketed as a sexual enhancer, good for lack of stamina. Some online retailers advertise oral and injectable forms as testosterone boosters and say it can aid sexual performance. South African police said during Pistorius' bail hearing that they found needles in Pistorius' bedroom along with the substance, which they initially named as testosterone.

Prosecutors later withdrew that statement and said the substance couldn't be named until lab tests were completed. A Pistorius family spokesperson tells the AP that the athlete's lawyers had confirmed that the substance is Testis compositum. In court last week, Pistorius' defense lawyer Barry Roux said the substance was not banned by sports authorities, but it had been unclear what it was and what the exact name was. A steroid expert says animal steroids, which the substance may contain, likely wouldn't have an athletic performance-enhancing effect unless taken in huge quantities. But, he adds, many elite athletes would be wary of using such supplements because they can be laced with banned substances and few would risk it. (More Oscar Pistorius stories.)

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