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.

reference:

photo credit:

Thanks for dropping by!