androgen

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

McGraw-Hill Concise Encyclopedia of Bioscience. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

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.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.