Gonadal Steroids are a class of lipid-soluble hormones produced primarily by the gonads, encompassing androgens like testosterone, estrogens like estradiol, and progestogens like progesterone. These essential signaling molecules regulate reproductive function, drive secondary sexual characteristics, and exert widespread influence on systemic health, affecting bone density, mood, and metabolic processes. Their circulating levels are tightly controlled by the complex feedback loops of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal (HPG) axis.
Origin
The origin of all gonadal steroids is the common precursor molecule cholesterol, which undergoes a series of enzymatic conversions within the Leydig cells of the testes and the theca and granulosa cells of the ovaries. This synthesis pathway is an ancient evolutionary process conserved across mammalian species. The term itself is derived from their site of production, the gonads, and their chemical structure as steroid hormones.
Mechanism
Gonadal steroids primarily operate via a classical genomic mechanism, where their lipophilic nature allows them to passively diffuse across cell membranes and bind to specific intracellular receptors located in the cytoplasm or nucleus. The resulting hormone-receptor complex then acts as a transcription factor, binding directly to DNA response elements to modulate the expression of target genes. This mechanism enables long-term regulation of cellular growth, differentiation, and metabolic function in diverse tissues, including muscle, bone, and the central nervous system.
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