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Androgen Biosynthesis

Meaning

Androgen biosynthesis is the complex, multi-step metabolic process by which the body synthesizes androgenic steroid hormones, such as testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), from cholesterol. This critical endocrine pathway occurs predominantly in the gonads—the testes in males and the ovaries in females—and to a lesser but significant extent in the adrenal cortex. These hormones are vital for the development of male secondary sexual characteristics, maintenance of bone density, muscle mass, and regulation of libido in both sexes. Disruptions in this pathway can lead to clinical conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or hypogonadism.