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Gonadal Hormone

Meaning

Gonadal hormones are a class of steroid hormones, primarily androgens, estrogens, and progestogens, produced and secreted by the gonads—the testes in males and the ovaries in females. These lipophilic molecules are essential for the development of secondary sexual characteristics, the regulation of reproductive function, and the maintenance of bone density, cardiovascular health, and cognitive function throughout the lifespan. Clinical endocrinology focuses on maintaining their optimal balance for systemic well-being.