Stimulation of prostate growth is a major concern with testosterone therapy in older hypogonadal men. As a result, non-steroidal selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) with anabolic activity but less prostate stimulation are being developed. Anabolic steroids might exhibit similar tissue selectivity. We hypothesized the anabolic steroid 19-nor-4-androstenediol-3,17-diol (3,19-NA)) would increase muscle, lean body mass (LBM), and bone mineral density (BMD) with little stimulation of prostate growth. Male Sprague Dawley rats were implanted with silastic capsules containing 3,19-NA (4,8 or 16 cm), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) (8cm), 19-nortestosterone (19-NT) (16cm) or four empty capsules after undergoing either a sham-operation (Intact) or orchidectomy (ORX). Serum gonadotropins, measured after 4, 8 or 24 weeks of treatment, were significantly lower in 3,19-NA-treated versus untreated, intact and ORX rats (P<0.05), and testosterone was lowered by 3,19-NA-treatment of intact animals. LBM and BMD were assessed after 20 weeks, and 4 weeks later rats were sacrificed for levator ani muscle (LA) and prostate weights. Compared to ORX rats, 3,19-NA-treated rats had dose-dependent higher LA weights, LBM and BMD, which were similar to intact and DHT-treated rats at the highest 3,19-NA dose. In contrast, prostate weights in all 3,19-NA-treated groups were similar to ORX rats and lower than intact, DHT- and 19-NT-treated rats even at the highest 3,19-NA dose. In summary, 3,19-NA increases muscle and bone mass without significant stimulation of prostate growth, suggesting it may have some properties of a steroidal SARM. Anabolic steroids such as 3,19-NA should be studied further to determine their mechanisms of tissue selectivity and effects in men.