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Androgen hormones promote male attributes, stimulate the formation of male testicles and sperm production, and influence behavior. Testosterone is the predominant male sex hormone and has anabolic effects, causing growth and maturation of muscles and bones. Androgen hormones can be used to treat certain medical conditions and for their anabolic properties by athletes, but their use is banned in many sports organizations.
Androgen hormones, also known as androgens or testosterones, are a family of sex hormones that promote male attributes. Most androgen hormones are steroid hormones produced naturally by the human body, but they can also be created synthetically. These hormones stimulate the formation of male testicles and the production of sperm. They also promote greater muscle mass and a reduction in body fat and influence certain areas of human behavior, such as sexual desire and aggression. Women also produce androgen hormones, but most of these are converted into estrogen by the body.
One of the predominant male sex hormones, testosterone, is an androgen hormone. Testosterone is secreted by the testicles and is derived from the steroid cholesterol. It has anabolic effects, causing growth and maturation of muscles and bones. The hormone also causes the penis and scrotum of a male fetus to develop and mature, and leads to voice changes and hair growth that occur during puberty. In women, the lowest levels of testosterone are secreted by the ovaries, which contributes to female sex drive and supports bone density, slowing down the potential onset of osteoporosis.
About 95% of the androgen hormones in the human male body are in the form of testosterone. However, there are other minor androgen hormones, called adrenal androgens, which are produced by the adrenal cortex, a part of the adrenal gland. Adrenal androgens act as precursors to other hormones, such as estrogen or testosterone itself. A chemical reaction called biosynthesis converts the adrenal androgen androstenedione into testosterone. Adrenal androgens also perform similar functions to testosterone, promoting muscle mass and sexual desire.
Synthetically produced androgen hormones can be used to treat certain medical conditions in both men and women. In men, hormone therapies may be given if natural testosterone levels are low. The onset of puberty can be stimulated by injections of androgen hormones if it is otherwise delayed. Androgen hormones can also be used to increase sex drive and reduce depression and anxiety in adult men. In women, these hormone therapies can be used to treat anemia and some types of breast cancer.
Androgenic hormones can also be used for their anabolic properties by athletes looking to increase muscle mass and improve exercise performance. Testosterone can help an athlete gain muscle and strength by increasing muscle protein synthesis, a process that helps muscles grow and repair themselves. Many sports organizations ban the use of these performance-enhancing drugs and severely penalize athletes who happen to use them.
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