Sex steroid 689491 216731505 2008-06-02T23:25:30Z 74.66.31.47 /* References */ '''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]]