What Is Androgen Hormone Definition Functions and Types
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 Structure and Biological Role
1. What is an androgen hormone?
An androgen hormone is a steroid hormone that regulates the development and maintenance of male characteristics in the body. Androgens are primarily produced in the testes in males and in smaller amounts by the ovaries and adrenal glands in females.
- The main androgen is testosterone.
- They influence reproductive organs, muscle mass, bone density, and hair growth.
- Androgens are essential for both male and female physiology, though present at different levels.
2. What is the function of androgen hormones in the body?
The main function of androgen hormones is to promote male sexual development and regulate reproductive function.
- Stimulate development of male reproductive organs.
- Trigger secondary sexual characteristics such as facial hair and deep voice during puberty.
- Maintain spermatogenesis in the testes.
- Support muscle growth, bone density, and red blood cell production.
3. Where are androgens produced in the human body?
Androgens are mainly produced in the testes, with smaller amounts produced in the adrenal cortex and ovaries.
- In males, Leydig cells of the testes secrete testosterone.
- In females, ovaries produce low levels of testosterone.
- The adrenal cortex produces weak androgens like dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).
4. What is the difference between androgens and testosterone?
Testosterone is a type of androgen, while androgens are a group of male sex hormones.
- Androgens include testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and androstenedione.
- Testosterone is the primary and most abundant androgen in males.
- Other androgens may act as precursors or more potent derivatives of testosterone.
5. How do androgen hormones work in the body?
Androgen hormones work by binding to the androgen receptor inside target cells and altering gene expression.
- Being steroid hormones, they diffuse through the cell membrane.
- Bind to intracellular androgen receptors in the cytoplasm.
- The hormone-receptor complex enters the nucleus.
- It regulates specific genes to produce biological effects.
6. What are examples of androgen hormones?
Examples of androgen hormones include testosterone and its related steroid derivatives.
- Testosterone – primary male sex hormone.
- Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) – more potent form derived from testosterone.
- Androstenedione – precursor in steroid hormone synthesis.
- Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) – weak adrenal androgen.
7. What role do androgens play during puberty?
During puberty, androgens trigger the development of male secondary sexual characteristics and reproductive maturity.
- Enlarge testes and penis.
- Stimulate facial, pubic, and body hair growth.
- Deepen the voice by enlarging the larynx.
- Increase muscle mass and bone growth.
8. Are androgen hormones present in females?
Yes, androgen hormones are present in females but at much lower levels than in males.
- Produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands.
- Contribute to libido and bone strength.
- Serve as precursors for estrogen synthesis.
9. What happens if androgen levels are too high or too low?
Abnormal androgen levels can disrupt normal reproductive and metabolic functions.
- Low androgens in males may cause reduced libido, infertility, and decreased muscle mass.
- High androgens in females may lead to hirsutism, acne, and menstrual irregularities.
- Hormonal imbalance can affect bone density and mood.
10. How are androgen hormones regulated in the body?
Androgen hormones are regulated by the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis through feedback control.
- The hypothalamus releases gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).
- The anterior pituitary secretes luteinizing hormone (LH).
- LH stimulates Leydig cells in the testes to produce testosterone.
- Testosterone exerts negative feedback on the hypothalamus and pituitary to maintain balance.
