Androgen Hormone

Androgen hormone is a group of sex hormones that help in the process of development and maintenance of the male sex organs. These hormone groups also regulate the insemination process of the males. Androgen is indeed present in both the male and female body, but mostly, it is known as the male hormone. In the male body, androgen helps to differentiate the penis, scrotum, and the prostate gland. In this article, we will discuss the androgen hormone in detail. 

Androgens are the group of sex hormones that help to maintain the body’s health and reproductive functions. These hormones also influence the sexual behaviour of our body and also help in the process of enlargement of our skeletal muscle cells. Androgen hormones play a major role in simulating spermatogenesis. These hormones also help and increase the ability of some fat cells to store the lipids and also reduce fat deposition. The most well-known androgen is testosterone, produced primarily in the testes in males and smaller amounts in the ovaries and adrenal glands in females.

Also Read: Difference Between Spermatogenesis And Oogenesis

There are some major types of androgens present in the male human body as mentioned below. 

• Testosterone: It is a major sex hormone that helps in the development of the reproductive tissues including testicles and prostate. This hormone also promotes the sexual characteristics of humans.
• Dihydrotestosterone: Dihydrotestosterone or DHT is an androgen that plays an important role in the sexual development of males. It stimulates the development of different male characteristics. 
• Androstenedione: Androstenedione is a steroid hormone that is produced in both male and female gonads. This hormone is really important to produce the estrogen and testosterone hormones.

Here are some examples of androgen as mentioned below.

• Dihydrotestosterone (DHT): This androgen creates the differentiation of the prostate, scrotum and penis. It also contributes to prostate growth, balding, and the activity of the sebaceous gland.
• Androstenedione: It is an important androgen hormone that helps in male development.
• Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS): It is produced by the endocrine gland. 
• Androstenediol: Secreted by the endocrine gland and helps in both androgenic and estrogenic acts. 

Also Read: Difference Between Endocrine and Exocrine Glands

Androgen production refers to the synthesis and secretion of male sex hormones, primarily testosterone. In males, testosterone is produced mainly by Leydig cells in the testes, stimulated by luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary gland. Here is the pathway of the androgen biosynthesis process as mentioned below. 

• Pregnenolone: Pregnenolone is the precursor molecule of the biosynthesis process of androgen. 
• Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA): Pregnenolone starts to convert into dehydroepiandrosterone through a series of enzymatic reaction processes. The process majorly involves with the 17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (CYP17A1) enzymes.
• Androstenedione: The DHEA is further metabolized into androstenedione by the 3β-HSD or 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzyme.

There are so many major and important biological functions that are controlled by the androgen hormones. As these hormones are present in both the male and female body, it is important to discuss the functions of androgen in detail as mentioned below. 

• The androgen hormones are responsible for hair growth both in the pubic and underarm areas.
• It also helps in the functioning of different organs including bones, muscles, and kidneys.
• In the female androgen helps in the estrogen synthesis process. 
• During the growth of a human body, the ovary and testes development is considered as the most important development. The androgen hormones play a significant role in this process.
• Androgen supports sperm production during the formation of the Sertoli cells.
• At the time of puberty, the androgen level became high. It helps them in the development of sexual characteristics with the spermatogenesis and fertility.
• The level of androgen also affects the functioning of our human brain.

Read More: Male Reproductive System – Structure and Functions

At the time of puberty, both males and females experience changes in hormonal levels. These levels depend on various factors like sex and age. There are so many factors that can change the hormonal level of androgens as mentioned below. 

• Chemotherapy.
• Hypopituitarism.
• Adrenal insufficiency.
• Very early menopause.
• Surgically-induced menopause.
• Primary ovarian insufficiency.
• Side effects of medication.
• HIV.

Read More: Physical Changes at Puberty

Increase in Androgen Level inside human body may cause so many abnormalities as mentioned below.

• Acne.
• Inferility.
• Anovulation.
• Absent periods.
• Irregular periods.
• Excess hair growth.

So many diseases may cause due to the high androgen level in human body as mentioned below.

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Irregular menstrual cycles, ovarian cysts, acne, hirsutism, and infertility.
• Acne: Increased oil production leading to skin breakouts.
• Male-pattern Baldness: Hair follicle shrinkage causing thinning hair and baldness.
• Oligomenorrhea/Amenorrhea: Irregular or absent menstrual periods.
• Infertility: Disrupted ovulation and reduced fertility in women.
• Hirsutism: Excessive hair growth on face, chest, and back.
• Virilization: Development of masculine features in women.
• Insulin Resistance: Reduced responsiveness to insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels.
• Metabolic Syndrome: Cluster of conditions increasing the risk of heart disease and diabetes

There are so many major symptoms that can be observed due to the decrease in the androgen level in human body as mentioned 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

Read More: Human Reproductive System Male and Female

Androgen vs testosterone is mentioned below.

Androgens are the group of sex hormones that help to maintain the body’s health and reproductive functions. These hormones play a major role in males to develop their characteristics with the combination of androgen receptors. There are some major types of androgens present in the male human body including Testosterone, Dihydrotestosterone, and Androstenedione. In this article, we have discussed the androgen, its types, functions, and hormonal levels in detail.

Also Read:

• Testes – Anatomy and Functions
• Diagram of Male Reproductive System
• Difference Between Test E And Test C
• Role of Hormones in Initiating Reproductive Function
• Endocrine Glands – Hormones, Functions & Clinical Aspects

What Does Androgen Hormone Do?

Androgens like testosterone are sex hormones. Androgens help people enter puberty and mature physically. Females with high androgen levels may develop acne, facial hair and other issues.

What do Androgens do In Females?

Androgens in women are essential for reproductive competency, sexual function, cardiovascular health, appropriate bone remodeling, muscle tone, and mass and brain function.

Is Androgen Good or Bad?

Androgens are crucial for male sexual and reproductive function. They are also responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics in men, including facial and body hair growth and voice change.

Is Androgen Harmful?

Heart or blood vessel disease—Androgens can make these conditions worse because androgens may increase blood cholesterol levels. Also, androgens can cause fluid retention (keeping too much water in the body), which also can worsen heart or blood vessel disease.

Are Androgens In Females Bad?

High female levels of androgens can have negative health effects, including insulin resistance, body shape changes, and cardiovascular problems.

Does PCOS Cause High Androgen Levels?

Androgens may become increased in females with PCOS because of the high levels of LH but also because of increased levels of insulin that are usually seen with PCOS.

What Increases Androgens?

Tumors of the ovaries and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can both cause too much androgen production. Cushing disease is a problem with the pituitary gland that leads to excess amounts of corticosteroids.

Why is Estrogen Bad For Males?

Although the male body needs estrogen to function correctly, too much estrogen can cause health problems. Increased levels of estrogen can cause symptoms such as infertility, erectile dysfunction, and depression.

Does High Androgen Mean Infertility?

Although women usually have small amounts of androgens, large amounts can cause hormonal imbalances which result in multiple side effects including infertility.