Androgens - what is it? All about their effect on the body

Androgens - what is it? It is worth noting that this is the general name of a whole group of so-called steroid hormones that are produced by sex glands (in women - by the ovaries, in men - by the testicles) and by the adrenal cortex.

One of the main hormones of this group is testosterone. When asked about whether androgens - what is it, most of us to the mind immediately comes the name of this hormone. It affects many tissues of the human body. One of the reasons for this broad spectrum of action is that testosterone can be converted to other hormones, estradiol and dihydrotestosterone. This is a very interesting process. So you can safely say: testosterone is the main hormone of a group such as androgens.

What is testosterone? More precisely, where exactly is it produced, what effect does the human body have on the whole? Testosterone is formed in the liver together with etiocholanol and androsterone. It should be noted that dihydrotestosterone is converted into three other hormones. It affects both the emotional behavior of a person (for example, the level of aggression), and sexual activity. It also contributes to the control of metabolism. Strictly speaking, without it, this process is impossible.

Androgens - what is it? So called male sex hormones, possessing a steroid nature. They have a huge impact on the development of sexual secondary signs, as well as on stimulation of the functioning of male organs. But they support many other biochemical processes that are not related to gender. Because of these hormones, an anabolic effect can be observed, they change the metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates and cholesterol. I want to note that a certain level of androgens is present in the female body , too. In girls, it will be expressed by androstenedione, dehydroepiandosterone and testosterone. It happens that women have an excess of these hormones, because of what develops hyperandrogenemia, impaired fertility, may even occur infertility.

It is necessary to mention such a concept as the index of free androgens. This is the unit that is used to evaluate bioavailable testosterone. This index is calculated by rather complex mathematical calculus. It is determined by the direct ratio of the concentration of all testosterone to the amount of sex-binding globulin.

Androgens are very strong hormones, which significantly affect the synthesis of proteins, inhibiting their decay. They also have an anti-catabolic or anabolic effect. In addition, they reduce the amount of glucose present in the blood. And one more nuance: they increase the strength and muscle mass. More androgens can contribute to reducing the amount of subcutaneous fat present in the body. Androgens - this is an extremely important component of any organism (both female and male), their absence or lack of quantity can cause a lot of diseases.