Androgens - what is it? It is worth noting that this is the common name for a whole group of so-called steroid hormones, which are produced by the gonads (for women - the ovaries, for men - testicles) and the adrenal cortex.
One of the main hormones of this group is testosterone. When asked the question of androgens - what is it, most of us immediately come to mind the name of this hormone. It affects many tissues of the human body. One of the reasons for such a wide spectrum of action is that testosterone can be converted into other hormones - estradiol and dihydrotestosterone. This is a very interesting process. So we can safely say: testosterone is the main hormone of such a group as androgens.
What is testosterone? More precisely, where exactly is it produced, what effect does it have on the human body as a whole? Testosterone is formed in the liver along 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 aggressiveness) and sexual activity. He also contributescertain contribution to metabolic control. As a matter of fact, this process is impossible without it.
Androgens - what is it? This is the name of male sex hormones that have a steroid nature. They have a huge impact on the development of sexual secondary characteristics, as well as on the stimulation of the functioning of male organs. But they support many other biochemical processes that are not related to gender. Because of these hormones, anabolic effects can be observed, they change the metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates and cholesterol. I would like to note that a certain level of androgens is also available in the female body without fail. In girls, it is expressed by androstenedione, dehydroepiandosterone and testosterone. It happens that an excess of these hormones is found in women, which causes hyperandrogenemia, fertility is impaired, and even infertility may occur.
It should touch on such a thing as the index of free androgens. This is the unit that is used to measure bioavailable testosterone. This index is calculated by rather complex mathematical calculations. It is determined by the direct ratio of the concentration of total testosterone to the amount of sex-binding globulin.
Androgens are very strong hormones that significantly affect the synthesis of proteins, inhibiting their breakdown. They also have an anti-catabolic or anabolic effect. In addition, they reduce the amount of glucose available inblood. And one more nuance: they increase strength and muscle mass. Androgens can also help reduce the amount of subcutaneous fat present in the body. Androgens are an extremely important component of any organism (both female and male), their absence or insufficient amount can cause a lot of diseases.
