Androgens - what is it? It is worth noting that this is the common name for a whole group of so-called steroid hormones, which are produced by the sex glands (in women - by the ovaries, in men - by the testes) and the adrenal cortex.
One of the main hormones in this group is testosterone. When asked about androgens - what is it, most of us immediately get the name of this hormone. It affects many tissues of the human body. One of the reasons for this wide spectrum of action is that testosterone can be converted to other hormones - estradiol and dihydrotestosterone. This is a very interesting process. So we can safely say: testosterone is the main hormone of such a group as androgens.
What is testosterone? More precisely, where exactly is it produced, what effect does it have on the human body as a whole? Testosterone is formed in the liver along with etiocholanol and androsterone. It should be noted that dihydrotestosterone is converted into three other hormones. It affects both the emotional behavior of a person (for example, the level of aggressiveness) and sexual activity. He also contributes to metabolic control. As a matter of fact, without it the indicated process is impossible.
Androgens - what is it? So-called male sex hormones with a steroid nature. They have a huge impact on the development of sexual secondary characteristics, as well as on the stimulation of the functioning of male organs. But they support many more other biochemical processes that are not related to gender. Because of these hormones, an anabolic effect can be observed, they alter the metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates and cholesterol. I would like to note that a certain level of androgens is also present in the female body without fail. In girls, it is expressed by androstenedione, dehydroepiandiosterone and testosterone. It happens that women find an excess of these hormones, because of which hyperandrogenemia develops, fertility is impaired, and even infertility can occur.
A concept such as the index of free androgens should be mentioned. This is a unit that is used to evaluate bioavailable testosterone. This index is calculated by rather complicated mathematical calculi. It is determined by the direct ratio of the concentration of all testosterone to the amount of sex-binding globulin.
Androgens are very powerful hormones that significantly affect protein synthesis, inhibiting their breakdown. They also have anti-catabolic or anabolic effects. In addition, they reduce the amount of glucose in the blood. And one more nuance: they increase strength and muscle mass. Androgens can also help reduce the amount of subcutaneous fat in the body. Androgens are an extremely important component of any organism (both female and male), their absence or insufficient number can cause a lot of diseases.