Sex steroids
Sex Steroids
Sex steroids, also known as sex hormones are Steroid hormones that interact with Vertebrate steroid hormone receptors. The sex steroids include the Androgens, Estrogens, and Progestogens. Their effects are mediated by slow genomic mechanisms through nuclear receptors as well as by fast nongenomic mechanisms through membrane-associated receptors and signaling cascades.
Pronunciation
Sex Steroids: /sɛks ˈstɛrɔɪdz/
Etymology
The term "Sex Steroids" is derived from the words "Sex", referring to the biological and physiological characteristics that define men and women, and "Steroids", a class of organic compounds that have a specific molecular structure.
Androgens
Androgens, from the Greek andro (man) and genein (to produce), are the family of hormones that controls the development and maintenance of masculine characteristics. The primary and most well-known androgen is Testosterone.
Estrogens
Estrogens, from the Greek oistros (gadfly or frenzy) and genein (to produce), are hormones responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics. The primary estrogens in humans are Estrone, Estradiol, and Estriol.
Progestogens
Progestogens, from the Latin pro (for) and gestare (to bear), are a class of hormones that includes progesterone, a hormone that plays a key role in the menstrual cycle and in maintaining the early stages of pregnancy.
Related Terms
- Steroid hormone
- Steroid hormone receptor
- Vertebrate
- Androgen
- Estrogen
- Progestogen
- Testosterone
- Estrone
- Estradiol
- Estriol
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Sex steroids
- Wikipedia's article - Sex steroids
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski