Steroid Hormones and its Functions

Steroid hormones are fat-soluble chemical messengers synthesized by the adrenal glands and both the male and the female gonads. They are the one responsible for the functions and development of sex characteristics.

Wonder why female and male specie are so totally different from one another? It’s because of these raging hormones…

Steroid hormones are classified into three (3) according to functions:

Mineralocorticoids are responsible for the electrolyte balance in the body. A good example of this is the aldosterone. Aldosterone promotes reabsoption process in the kidney which affects water retention inside the body.

Glucocorticoids functions in the regulation of body metabolism. Cortisol has the major role in a way it enhances glucose production from protein. By the breakdown of protein, cortisol level increases, thus, providing also an anti-inflammatory effect.

Sex steroids has the function to regulate sexual development.

The following are:

Progesterone is synthesized by the ovary and thus helps in the development and/or maintaining pregnancy.

Estrogen is also one of the hormones contributed in female secondary sex characteristic. There are three (3) major estrogens namely:

Estradiol has a role in the menstrual cycle

Estriol & Estrone are significant during pregnancy

For the male secondary sex characteristic, the hormone involved is the androgen.

During puberty the hormone produces testosterone which is synthesized by the testes that leads to the body development of males.

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Toxicology, Endocrinology & Drug Testing

Come bitter pilot, now at once run on
The dashing rocks thy seasick weary bark!
Here’s to my love! O true apothecary!
Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.
- Shakespeare (Romeo & Juliet-Act5)

You see ever since Romeo & Juliet was written, poisons have already been existing.In fact, philosopher Socrates died of it, unfortunately.Poisons are found to be in different colors, chemical properties and possesses different stages of lethality. That is why there is a thing called toxicology...

TOXICOLOGY is the study of adverse effects of toxins and/or poisons present in the body. Biologic agents such as these should be given proper precautions, but of course, awareness should be first. Seeing that trademark "skull bone" logo would already give you an idea.

DRUG TESTING

Drug testing played an important role to determine if there is a drug present and what is the drug present in the body of a certain person. This can be done by collecting samples of any biological specimen like urine and blood although there are cases in which the other specimen is much preferable than the other specimen. Moreover, each of the sample specimen has its own advantage/disadvantage over another. In relation with toxicology, drug testing is used to determine drug toxicity and drug dependency.

ENDOCRINOLOGY

The study of how the Endocrine System works and helps in tissue function by producing many different hormones. Since it involves endocrine glands like adrenal,pancreas,parathyroid,pituitary and thyroid gland, it influences most of our body system (majority of our body organs are rule by it).The study also involves disorders pertaining to all endocrine glands.