Why do traps and shoulders blow up so much while on?

[SidVicious77]

Maybe something to do with our normal test not being as androgenic as exogenous test (is there a difference?)? as well as the amount we take when we cycle. Other compounds would also make a difference.

I've always found my shoulders and traps one of the easiest things to grow. I find it easy in general and especially when i start bulking after dieting to grow my shoulders and traps, traps never blow up to the same degree since i don't focus on them much. Worth noting i have high natural test levels.

No difference, test is test... Only the levels are higher, as you say. And therein lies the source of my confusion - if traps respond awesomely to high test levels because of a greater number of receptors, they should also respond proportionately well to regular levels, but mine don't.

[Splifton]

No difference, test is test... Only the levels are higher, as you say. And therein lies the source of my confusion - if traps respond awesomely to high test levels because of a greater number of receptors, they should also respond proportionately well to regular levels, but mine don't.

It's not that simple. I'm going to post the explanation later on in a new thread in hopes of getting a good discussion going... I got out of hand with my description and I happen to stumble upon 3-4 conflicting and/or inconclusive studies that it's observatory statements seem to conflict what I was originally preaching...

I do feel your pain with the confusion. It's all confusing. However, like I mentioned earlier the upregulation of AR binding affinity is muscle dependent in the presence of supraphysiological levels of androgens.

"The expression of androgen receptors in human neck and limb muscles: effects of training and self-administration of androgenic-anabolic steroids."
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10664066

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of androgen receptors (AR) in human vastus lateralis and trapezius muscles and to determine whether long-term strength training and self-administration of androgenic-anabolic steroids are accompanied by changes in AR content. Biopsy samples were taken from eight high-level power-lifters (P), nine high-level power-lifters who used anabolic steroids (PAS) and six untrained subjects (U). Myonuclei and AR were visualised in cross-sections stained with the monoclonal antibody against AR and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole. The proportion of AR-containing myonuclei per fibre cross-section was higher in the trapezius than in the vastus lateralis (P<0.05). In the trapezius, the proportion of AR-containing myonuclei was higher in P compared to U and in PAS compared to both P and U (P<0. 05). On the contrary, in the vastus lateralis, there were no differences in AR content between the three groups. Myonuclear number in both muscles was higher in P compared to U and in PAS compared to both P and U (P<0.05). In conclusion, AR content differs greatly between human neck and limb muscles. Moreover, the regulation of AR-containing myonuclei following training and self-administration of androgenic-anabolic steroids is muscle dependent.