Sex steroid
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2008-06-02T23:25:30Z
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'''Sex steroids''', also known as '''gonadal steroids''', are [[steroid hormone]]s that interact with [[vertebrate]] [[androgen]] or [[estrogen]] [[receptor (biochemistry)|receptor]]s. The term '''''sex hormone''''' nearly always is synonymous with ''sex steroid''.
==Production==
Natural sex steroids are made by the [[gonad]]s ([[ovary|ovaries]] or [[testes]]), by [[adrenal gland]]s, or by conversion from other sex steroids in other tissue such as liver or fat.
==Functions==
Sex steroids play important roles in inducing the body changes known as [[primary sex characteristic]]s and [[secondary sex characteristic]]s.
The development of both primary and secondary [[sex|sexual characteristics]] is controlled by sex hormones after the initial fetal stage where the presence or absence of the [[Y-chromosome]] and/or the [[SRY]] gene determine development.
==Synthetic sex steroids==
There are also many synthetic sex steroids. Synthetic androgens are often referred to as [[anabolic steroid]]s. Synthetic estrogens and progestins are used in methods of [[hormonal contraception]]. [[Ethinylestradiol]] is a semi-synthetic estrogen.
==Types==
In many contexts, the two main classes of sex steroids are androgens and estrogens, of which the most important human derivatives are [[testosterone]] and [[estradiol]], respectively. Other contexts will include [[progestagen]] as a third class of sex steroids, distinct from androgens and estrogens. [[Progesterone]] is the most important and only naturally-occurring human progestagen. In general, androgens are considered "male sex hormones", since they have masculinizing effects, while estrogens and progestagens are considered "female sex hormones"<ref>[http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1600-0765.1974.tb00683.x Comparative metabolism of female sex steroids in normal and chronically inflamed gingiva of the dog] T. M. A. ElAttar11Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A. and Department of Periodontology, The Institute for Postgraduate Dental Education, Jönköping, Sweden AND A. Hugoson11Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A. and Department of Periodontology, The Institute for Postgraduate Dental Education, Jönköping, Sweden1Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A. and Department of Periodontology, The Institute for Postgraduate Dental Education, Jönköping, Sweden</ref> although all types are present in each gender, albeit at different levels.
Sex steroids include:
*[[androgen]]s:
**[[testosterone]]
**[[androstenedione]]
**[[dihydrotestosterone]]
**[[dehydroepiandrosterone]]
**[[anabolic steroid]]s
*[[estrogen]]s:
**[[estradiol]]
**[[estrone]]
*[[progestagen]]s:
**[[progesterone]]
**[[progestins]]
==See also==
* [[Klinefelter's syndrome]]
* [[Androgen insensitivity syndrome]]
* [[Sex-hormone therapy]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
penis
==External links==
* {{MeshName|Sex+Steroid+Hormones}}
* {{eMedicineDictionary|Sex+hormones}}
{{human-repro-stub}}
{{Sex hormones}}
[[Category:Sex hormones|*]]
[[Category:Reproductive system]]
[[Category:Sexuality]]
[[Category:Sex steroids]]
[[de:Sexualhormon]]
[[fr:Stéroïde sexuel]]
[[lt:Lytiniai hormonai]]
[[nl:Geslachtshormoon]]
[[ja:性ホルモン]]
[[no:Kjønnshormon]]
[[pt:Esteróide sexual]]
[[sv:Könshormon]]