Introduction
A group of hormones which plays a crucial role in male traits and male reproductive activity is termed androgen. Androgen is present in both males and females, but it is more commonly known as a male hormone.
Its main function is the development and regulation of male characteristics by combining with androgen receptors. Some of these include the development of male primary sex organs, development of male secondary sex features at puberty stage, etc. Synthesis of androgen takes place inside the testes of the male reproductive organ, the ovary of the female reproductive organ and also inside the adrenal gland.
The term androgen was taken from the Greek word “andr” which means the stem of the word meaning man. At the time of puberty, there is an increase in androgen levels in both males and females. The major part of male androgen is commonly known as testosterone apart from which Dihydrotestosterone(DHT) and androstenedione are equally important for development in males. Amount of androgen secretion in females is very low and their main function is in libido and sexual arousal.
Apart from its role in sexual growth, it is also used in medication processes like in androgen replacement therapy and anabolic steroid articles.
Function of Androgen
There are so many biological functions which are controlled by androgen hormones like the stimulation of puberty, hair growth in both pubic and underarms areas. Along with that it also helps in the functioning of various organs like bones, muscles, kidney and many more. It also helps in the synthesis of estrogen hormone. Some of the important function of estrogen is discussed below:
Testes formation: During the growth of mammalian body development of ovaries and testes are considered major development. In 4 weeks, only the development of gonads gets started. And in testes development, estrogen plays a crucial role
Androgen effects: During the formation of Sertoli cells to support sperm, androgen plays a major role. Androgen is also required during the masculinization of developing male fetus.
Androgen is helpful in the conversion of testosterone to 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
When puberty hits males, there is a drastic increase in androgen level. This help in the development of masculine secondary sexual characteristics in males along with activation of spermatogenesis and fertility and masculine behavioural changes inside male-like gynephilia and increased sex drive. Masculine secondary sexual characteristics lead to changes in androgenic hair, voice deepening, the emergence of Adam's apple, broadening of the shoulders, increased muscle mass, and penile growth.
At the adulthood phase, androgen along with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) act on Sertoli cells for sperm production which is also known as spermatogenesis.
As we all know males have more skeletal mass than females and in this enlargement, androgen plays a major role.
Level of androgen inside the human body can also affect the functioning of the human brain as some neurons are sensitive to steroid hormones. Androgen levels also affect the aggression of humans.
Androgen also helps in producing anabolic effects on carbohydrate metabolism and protein.
Androgen Production
Synthesis of adrenal hormone occurs inside the adrenal gland and the ovaries. During synthesis, there occurs the conversion of cholesterol (1,2). More amount of androgen is produced by testes than the ovary. The conversion process of testosterone to produce more potent DHT occurs in the prostate gland, liver, brain and skin. Testosterone is also synthesised by muscle and fat tissue.
Hormonal Levels
When puberty hits both male and females there occurs a change in hormonal level. A change in this hormonal level depends on various factors like age, sex of individuals. With an increase in age hormonal production also starts decreasing. As per studies, it is assumed that when a female is pregnant then change in hormonal level will be more if the fetus is a male child. There are various reasons which lead to a change in hormone level. Some of the known reasons are discussed below:
Chemotherapy.
Hypopituitarism.
Adrenal insufficiency.
Very early menopause.
Surgically-induced menopause.
Primary ovarian insufficiency.
Side effects for medication including birth control and other hormone therapy containing estrogen.
HIV
Increase in Androgen Level
Increases in androgen level inside the body can cause several abnormalities inside the body. So these abnormalities are discussed below.
Acne.
Inferility.
Anovulation.
Absent periods.
Irregular periods.
Excess hair growth
Disease Happen Due To High Androgen Level:
Tumours on the adrenal gland
Poly Ovarian syndrome
Tumours on the ovaries
Hyperprolactinemia (high amount of prolactin is being produced)
Cushing’s disease (9,10,12)
Decrease in Androgen Level
There are so many symptoms which are shown by the human body when there is a decrease in androgen level. Some of the symptoms of low androgen level are discussed below:
Sweating.
Hot flushes.
Depression.
Osteoporosis.
Mood swings.
Loss of body hair.
Breast development.
Lethargy and fatigue.
Reduced sexual desire.
Reduced amount of ejaculate.
weaker erections and orgasms.
Reduced muscle mass and strength.
Increased body fat, particularly around the abdomen.
FAQs on Androgen Hormone
1. What are androgens and what is their primary role in the body?
Androgens are a group of steroid hormones that act as the principal male sex hormones. While they are present in both males and females, they play a a pivotal role in the development and maintenance of male characteristics. The most well-known androgen is testosterone, which is crucial for the regulation of male reproductive system functions and secondary sexual characteristics.
2. Which glands secrete androgen hormones in the human body?
Androgen production occurs in different glands depending on the sex:
- In males, the primary site of androgen production is the Leydig cells located in the testes.
- In females, androgens are produced in smaller amounts by the ovaries and the adrenal cortex (the outer part of the adrenal glands). The adrenal cortex also produces androgens in males.
3. What are some key examples of androgen hormones?
The main androgens found in the human body include:
- Testosterone: The most important androgen, responsible for most male sexual characteristics.
- Dihydrotestosterone (DHT): A more potent androgen converted from testosterone, crucial for the development of external genitalia and hair growth patterns.
- Androstenedione: A weaker androgen that serves as a precursor for the synthesis of both testosterone and estrogens.
4. What is the difference between androgens and testosterone?
The key difference is that 'androgen' is the name of the entire class of hormones, while testosterone is a specific, and the most significant, type of androgen. Think of it like this: testosterone is to androgens what a lion is to big cats. All testosterone is an androgen, but not all androgens are testosterone; the class also includes others like DHT and androstenedione.
5. What are the main functions of androgens in males?
In males, androgens are essential for a wide range of functions, including:
- Stimulating spermatogenesis (the production of sperm).
- Development of primary sexual organs like the penis and scrotum during puberty.
- Promoting secondary sexual characteristics such as a deep voice, facial and body hair growth, and muscle mass development.
- Influencing libido (sex drive) and aggressive behaviour.
- Playing an anabolic role in building and maintaining bone density and muscle strength.
6. Are androgens found only in males, or do females produce them too?
No, androgens are not exclusive to males. Females also produce androgens, although in significantly smaller quantities. In the female body, androgens are secreted by the ovaries and adrenal glands. They play a crucial role as precursors for the production of estrogens (female sex hormones) and also contribute to bone health, libido, and the maintenance of muscle mass.
7. What happens in the female body if androgen levels become too high?
An excess of androgens in females, a condition known as hyperandrogenism, can lead to the development of male-like characteristics. Common symptoms include:
- Hirsutism (excessive hair growth on the face, chest, and back).
- Acne and oily skin.
- Irregular or absent menstrual cycles.
- Deepening of the voice.
- Enlargement of the clitoris.
This condition is often associated with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
8. How is the production of androgens regulated in the male body?
Androgen production in males is controlled by a sophisticated feedback system involving the brain and testes. The hypothalamus releases Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which signals the anterior pituitary gland to secrete Luteinizing Hormone (LH). LH then travels to the testes and stimulates the Leydig cells to synthesise and release androgens like testosterone. High levels of testosterone in the blood signal the brain to reduce the secretion of GnRH and LH, thus maintaining hormonal balance.
9. Why are androgens often called 'male hormones' if they are present in both sexes?
Androgens are commonly called 'male hormones' because their concentration is much higher in males, and they are primarily responsible for the most distinct and visible male physiological traits. The term originates from their profound effect on male sexual differentiation and the development of secondary sexual characteristics. While they have important functions in females, their effects are less pronounced, leading to this common but technically imprecise label.
