AndrogenEdit

Androgen is a class of steroid hormones that play a central role in the development, maintenance, and expression of male traits, as well as a broad set of physiological processes in all humans. The principal androgen in humans is testosterone, produced mainly by the testes in men and by the ovaries and adrenal glands in women. Androgens exert their effects by binding to the androgen receptor, a nuclear receptor that regulates gene expression in numerous tissues, from muscle and bone to the brain and reproductive organs. Although commonly associated with men, androgens are present in both sexes and contribute to libido, energy metabolism, mood, and body composition across the population. androgen receptor testosterone

The biology of androgens is inseparable from the body's regulatory systems. Androgens are synthesized in a multistep pathway that begins with cholesterol, proceeds through intermediate steroids, and is tightly controlled by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. GnRH pulses from the hypothalamus stimulate the pituitary to release luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, which in turn drive the gonads to produce and regulate androgens. Adrenal glands also contribute a smaller but important amount of androgens, particularly in women. The balance among production, conversion (such as aromatization of testosterone to estrogen), and receptor activity shapes everything from bone density to muscle mass and secondary sexual characteristics. hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis aromatase testes ovaries adrenal gland

Biochemically, androgens are steroid hormones derived from cholesterol and characterized by a four-ring core structure. They act primarily through the androgen receptor, but some effects are mediated indirectly through conversion to estrogens via aromatase or through interactions with other signaling pathways. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a potent androgen formed from testosterone in several tissues that use 5-alpha-reductase enzymes; DHT has specific roles in the development of the male reproductive tract and in secondary sexual characteristics. The widespread influence of androgens on tissues such as muscle, bone, skin, hair follicles, and the central nervous system helps explain their broad clinical significance. dihydrotestosterone 5-alpha-reductase bone density sperm hair follicle central nervous system

Lifecycle and clinical patterns of androgen action reflect both biology and environment. In utero, androgens guide male differentiation of the genitalia and other organs; during puberty, rising levels drive deepening of the voice, growth of facial and body hair, and increases in muscle mass and bone density. In adulthood, androgens help maintain libido, red blood cell production, and metabolic health, though levels decline with age in many individuals. Medical conditions can alter androgen balance, leading to deficiency (hypogonadism) or excess (as in certain tumors or syndromes). Medical management ranges from lifestyle interventions to hormone therapies and, in some cases, surgery. puberty hypogonadism prostate cancer testosterone replacement therapy anabolic steroid

Common clinical topics connected with androgens include testosterone deficiency in aging men, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), and the use of androgens or antiandrogens in treating specific diseases. TRT aims to restore normal testosterone levels and alleviate symptoms such as reduced energy, mood changes, and reduced sexual function, but it also carries risks, including cardiovascular events, sleep apnea, acne, and potential impacts on fertility. In men with prostate cancer or high risk of prostate disease, androgen deprivation or antiandrogen therapies are standard components of treatment. Exogenous androgens used outside of approved medical contexts—often termed anabolic steroids—pose health risks and are illegal or tightly regulated in competitive sports. testosterone replacement therapy prostate cancer androgen deprivation therapy anabolic steroid

Androgenic biology intersects with broader social and policy debates in ways that conservative viewpoints emphasize. Proponents stress the importance of evidence-based medical practice, patient autonomy, and parental or individual decision-making within safe, regulated frameworks. In sports and competitive arenas, there is strong concern about maintaining fair competition when biological factors such as endogenous testosterone or DHT levels confer advantages; policies by sports federations and regulatory bodies aim to balance inclusion with objective performance criteria. Critics from various perspectives argue that policy should center on identity, social justice, or gender recognition; supporters contend that biology matters for fairness and safety. The scientific literature on these issues remains contested, with debates focused on the interpretation of data, measurement methods, and the appropriate thresholds for policy decisions. sports governance anabolic steroid polycystic ovary syndrome testosterone androgen deprivation therapy

In medicine, androgens and their pathways are explored for therapeutic uses as well as for their risks. Conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome involve elevated androgens and present management challenges that intersect endocrinology with gynecology. Conversely, androgen deprivation is a cornerstone of treating certain prostate cancers, illustrating how the same hormonal system can be leveraged in very different clinical contexts. Understanding these dynamics requires attention to receptor biology, metabolic effects, and long-term outcomes for patients. polycystic ovary syndrome prostate cancer androgen receptor

See also - testosterone - dihydrotestosterone - androgen receptor - hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis - testes - ovaries - adrenal gland - testosterone replacement therapy - anabolic steroid - prostate cancer - androgen deprivation therapy - polycystic ovary syndrome - puberty