a group of male sex hormones that cause masculinization in the bodies of animals and man. The six hormones that are classified as androgens are the male hormone itself, testosterone; Δ4-androstene-3, 17-dione; 1 11β-oxyepiandrosterone; dehydroepiandrosterone (dehy-droisoandrosterone); androstenediol; and Δ4-androstenol-1 l1β-dione-3,17. Androgens are formed not only in the interstitial cells of the testicles, but also in the ovaries and in the cortex of the adrenal glands. Elaboration of androgens and their entry into the blood are regulated by the hypophysis. Injection of androgens after castration of males leads to restoration of secondary sex characteristics (for instance, the combs of capons) and also even partially of the structures of the seminal vesicles and prostate gland. In chemical structure all androgens are steroids. The metabolic products of androgens are 17-ketosteroids, which are excreted in the urine. Androgens are used in medicine in disturbances of sexual function and during the climacteric.
G. L. SHREIBERG