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Steroid Hormones

Meaning

Steroid Hormones are a class of lipid-soluble signaling molecules derived from cholesterol, characterized by a common four-ring chemical structure. These hormones, which include androgens, estrogens, progestins, glucocorticoids, and mineralocorticoids, are synthesized primarily by the adrenal glands and gonads. They are critical for regulating a vast array of physiological processes, including stress response, metabolism, inflammation, and sexual differentiation.