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Sex Steroid Hormones

Meaning

Sex steroid hormones are a class of lipid-soluble signaling molecules, primarily comprising androgens, estrogens, and progestogens, which are synthesized predominantly by the gonads and adrenal glands from a cholesterol precursor. These potent chemical messengers are vital for the development of primary and secondary sexual characteristics, the regulation of the reproductive cycle, and the maintenance of bone, muscle, and cognitive health across the entire lifespan.