Androgen Hormone: Pharmacology, Use and Misuse, Functions, Hormonal Levels

What is Androgen Hormone?

Androgens are a group of steroid hormones that promote the development and maintenance of male characteristics. The main androgen is testosterone, produced mainly by Leydig cells of the testes. Small amounts are released from the adrenal cortex and ovaries in females. In target tissues like skin and prostate, testosterone may be converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a more potent androgen. Androgens act via intracellular receptors to regulate gene expression. They are essential in fetal male differentiation, puberty, and adult reproductive function.

Functions Of Androgens

Androgens are important regulators of the hormonal cascade that triggers puberty and pubic and underarm hair growth. Additionally, it controls how various organs, including the bones and muscles, reproductive system, kidneys, and liver, operate. Androgens are essential for the synthesis of estrogen hormones in females and are crucial for controlling sexual desire, maintaining bone density, etc. In men, androgen hormones serve several crucial roles.

• They produce anabolic effects on protein synthesis and glucose metabolism.

• These have a significant stimulatory impact on the spermatogenesis phenomenon.

• They affect male sexual behavior by acting on the central nervous system.

• Growth hormones are released during puberty.

• These cause the development of muscles, axillary and facial hair, low vocal pitch, aggression, etc.

• Examines the urethra, prostate gland, vas deferens, epididymis, and other male accessory sex organs for maturity, development, and functionality.

Major Androgens

In both sexes, testosterone predominates as an androgen. Among other androgens are:

Role of Androgens

Androgens benefit all genders in that they:

• Bone thickness

• Growth of muscle

• Puberty

• Formation of red blood cells

• Sexual arousal and activity

Role of Androgens In Males

In people who were born with a propensity for men, androgens support (AMAB)

• low voice (vocal cord lengthening).

• hair growth on the scalp, chest, underarms, and genitalia.

• development of sperm.

Role of Androgens In Females

Other bodily molecules transform testosterone into estradiol, a type of estrogen, in people who were designated female at birth (AFAB). It's a hormone:

• controls menstruation

• helps in pregnancy and fertilization.

• reduces bone mass (osteoporosis).

• promotes pubic and underarm hair development.

Hormone Levels & Physiologic Variation

The Free Androgen Index (FAI), a formula used by your healthcare professional, is used to calculate androgen levels. A blood test is the first step in FAI to assess:

• 100% testosterone

• unbound testosterone

• binding to sex hormones globulin (SHBG).

A protein called SHBG transports estrogen and androgens (such as testosterone and DHT) throughout the body. In order to calculate the FAI or the amount of androgen in the blood, your provider compares total testosterone to SHBG.

The amount of androgen might fluctuate during the day. They age naturally decreasing. The menstrual cycle causes a change in a woman's hormone levels. The fluctuations in hormone levels depend on an individual's age and sex. With age, hormone production levels drop. According to medical records, hormone production rises throughout pregnancy and is even higher when a woman is carrying a male fetus.

Androgen-Related Health Problems

Alterations in the hormone levels can affect both males and females and even children. High levels of androgen is called hyperandrogenism and low levels of androgen is called hypoandrogenism.

Androgen Conditions in Males

Prostate cancer may grow faster when androgen is present. As part of their prostate cancer treatment, some people use hormone medicines to reduce the body's natural production of androgen.

Male hypogonadism, also known as low androgen or low testosterone, can result in erectile dysfunction, exhaustion, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. It can also make it difficult to concentrate and create poor exercise tolerance. Moreover, it may result in breast growth (gynecomastia).

Androgen Conditions in Females

People who have a polycystic ovarian syndrome or high levels of androgen may:

• Acne

• Missed periods or irregular menstruation, or amenorrhea

• Hair loss or excessive hair growth (hirsutism)

• High cholesterol and blood pressure

• Infertility

• Obesity

• Ovarian cancer

Androgen Conditions in Children

As the fetus grows inside your uterus, androgen supports genitalia. Some newborns have sex differentiation issues. These conditions have an impact on a child's genital structure and reproductive organs. A child may inherit a gene mutation from a parent. A gene mutation may result in:

Androgen insufficiency syndrome: The body of a baby with AIS does not react to its androgen or testosterone. Despite the kid having male chromosomes, the penis may be underdeveloped or micropenis-size. The genitalia could be mixed sex or appear female.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH): A kid with female chromosomes will have genitalia that resembles those of a man due to high testosterone levels.

Androgen Hormone NEET MCQs

Q1. The Leydig cells found in the human body are the secretory source of

1. Progesterone

2. Intestinal mucus

3. Glucagon

4. Androgens

Correct answer: 4) Androgens

Explanation:

Hormones produced by testis - The Leydig cells or interstitial cells, which are present in the intertubular spaces produce a group of hormones called androgens mainly testosterone. Hormones produced by the testis - The Leydig cells or interstitial cells, which are present in the intertubular spaces, produce a group of hormones called androgens, mainly testosterone. Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone responsible for the development of male secondary sexual characteristics such as facial hair, deeper voice, and muscle growth. It also plays a key role in regulating sperm production and maintaining libido. In addition to testosterone, Leydig cells may produce small amounts of other androgens, contributing to various bodily functions related to male health and reproduction.

Hence, the correct answer is option 4) androgens.

Q2. Which of the following is a function of testosterone?

1. Production of estrogen

2. Stimulation of breast development

3. Promotion of muscle and bone growth

4. Development of the uterus

Correct answer: 3) Promotion of muscle and bone growth

Explanation:

Testosterone promotes the growth and development of male secondary sex organs, stimulates the formation of sperm, and promotes the growth of many body tissues such as bones and muscles. It does not have a role in the development of female reproductive organs such as the uterus or breasts. Secondary Sexual Characteristics: Influences features like facial hair, deep voice, and fat distribution.Also involved in sperm production, libido, and mood regulation.

Hence, the correct answer is option 3) Promotion of muscle and bone growth.

Q3. Which ONE of the following statements is TRUE concerning the human ovary?

1. Estrogen is secreted by Graafian follicles and progesterone by the corpus luteum.

2. Estrogen is secreted by the corpus luteum and progesterone by Graafian follicles.

3. Both estrogen and progesterone are secreted by Graafian follicles.

4. Both estrogen and progesterone are secreted by the corpus luteum.

Correct answer: 1) Estrogen is secreted by Graafian follicles and progesterone by the corpus luteum.

Explanation:

Graafian follicle – a fluid-filled structure in the mammalian ovary within which an ovum develops before ovulation.

A corpus luteum refers to the composition of the cells that produce the hormone progesterone. The corpus luteum forms into the ovary after the discharge of an ovum. However, it degenerates after some days as its roles depend on fertilization.

Hence, the correct answer is option 1) Estrogen is secreted by Graafian follicles and progesterone by corpus luteum.

Also Read:

• MCQs on Hormones of Gonads

• Mechanism of Hormone Action

• Pituitary Gland

FAQs on Androgen Hormone

What are the functions of androgen hormones?

Androgens drive pubertal changes in males: voice deepening, facial/body hair, muscle and bone growth, and enlargement of the testes and penis. They maintain spermatogenesis, libido, and contribute to erythropoiesis (more RBCs) and bone mineral density. In both sexes, androgens influence sebaceous gland activity (skin oiliness), mood/energy, and anabolism (protein synthesis, muscle mass). During fetal life, DHT mediates development of external male genitalia.

What are the types of androgens?

Major endogenous androgens include testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), androstenedione, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA/DHEAS). Testosterone is the dominant circulating androgen in males; DHT is the most potent at the receptor level. Androstenedione and DHEA (mainly adrenal) are weaker and can be converted to testosterone/estrogens in peripheral tissues. There are also synthetic anabolic–androgenic steroids used medically (and sometimes misused) for their anabolic effects.

What happens when androgen levels are too high or too low?

Low androgens (males): delayed puberty, low libido, erectile issues, infertility, loss of muscle and bone (risk of osteoporosis), fatigue, and anemia
High androgens (males): early puberty in boys, acne, male-pattern baldness, mood changes, in adults excess may worsen risks of prostate cancer
Low androgens (females): low libido, reduced bone support
High androgens (females): hirsutism, acne, alopecia (scalp hair thinning), menstrual problems such as oligo or amenorrhea and infertility

What health problems are caused by high androgen levels in females?

Excess androgens in females can cause hirsutism (excess facial/body hair), acne, and androgenic alopecia (scalp hair thinning). Menstrual problems such as oligo/amenorrhea, anovulation, and infertility are common, especially in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Metabolic issues may include insulin resistance, weight gain, and unfavorable lipids. In marked excess (e.g., adrenal/ovarian tumors), voice may deepen and muscle mass may increase. Management includes treating the underlying cause, lifestyle changes, and, when appropriate, medicines (e.g., combined OCPs, anti-androgens).