Sex hormones

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As sex hormones are hormones called, the share of the gonad , expression of sexual characteristics have control and sexual function. Sex hormones are classified as such due to their mode of action and do not represent a uniform class of substances; they include, for example, steroid hormones (or their steroid receptors ) as well as certain proteins . In a broader sense, this also includes those superordinate hormones that control hormonal processes via the hypothalamus- pituitary system.

Even if the following differentiates according to gender, it must be noted that there are no gender-specific hormones. Rather, the difference between the sexes is that the amount of sex hormones produced and free, as well as the body's reactivity to the sex hormones, varies greatly.

Woman's sex hormones

Blood serum reference values for the content of estradiol (the main estrogen), progesterone , FSH and LH during the menstrual cycle .

First and foremost, estrogens and gestagens should be mentioned.

Hypothalamus:

Pituitary:

  • FSH (follicle stimulating hormone)
  • LH (luteinizing hormone)

Ovaries (ovaries):

  • Estrogens
  • Progestins (luteal hormones)

Placenta (placenta):

  • hCG (pregnancy hormone)

Man's sex hormones

Hypothalamic, pituitary, testicular hormone control circuit in men

Androgens play the most important role here, testosterone being one of the most important representatives .

Hypothalamus:

Pituitary:

  • FSH (follicle stimulating hormone)
  • LH (luteinizing hormone)

Testicles:

Artificial sex hormones

On the one hand, synthetic sex hormones are descendants of natural estrogens and gestagens and are used for the purpose of contraception ; on the other hand, they can be derivatives of androgens, in which case anabolism is the goal.

See also

literature

Web links

Wiktionary: sex hormone  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations