androgen (redirected from Androgens)

androgen (ăn`drəjən): see testosterone.

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androgen

Any of a group of hormones that mainly influence the development of the male reproductive system. The main and most active androgen is testosterone, produced by cells in the testes. Androgens produced in smaller quantities, mainly by the adrenal gland but also by the testes, support the functions of testosterone. Androgens cause the normal changes of puberty in boys' bodies and then influence sperm-cell formation, sexual interest and behaviour, and male pattern baldness. Females produce trace quantities of androgens, mostly in the adrenal glands, as well as in the ovaries.

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androgen [′an·drə·jən]

(biochemistry)

A class of steroid hormones produced in the testis and adrenal cortex which act to regulate masculine secondary sexual characteristics.

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Androgen

One of a class of steroid hormones. Androgens play a major role in the development and maintenance of masculine secondary sexual characters, for example, the seminal vesicle and prostate gland of the male mammal, and the comb, wattles, and spur of the male fowl. They also influence certain other secondary sexual characters, such as hair growth pattern and voice quality in humans. In the fowl, they affect the pattern and seasonal coloration of its feathers, as well as crowing. In addition, androgens affect nitrogen metabolism (anabolic). Androgens are produced in the testis, ovary, adrenal, and most likely, in the placenta. A small portion of the androgen is from corticoids, or adrenal cortex steroids, and from other C₂₁ steroids, such as progesterone. See Hormone, Ovary, Progesterone, Steroid, Testis