Androgens

ANDROGENS

  • Androgens are substances which stimulate the male accessory organs and produce the secondary sex characteristics.
  • The major androgens of importance are testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and androstenedione.
  • Testosterone is converted to:
    • dihydrotestosterone which has biological activity within testes and
    • to estradiol within the brain to induce male libido.
  • Androgens are produced in the leydig cells of the testes and testosterone is also produced in the epididymis of the stallion.
  • In the male androgens stimulate spermatogenesis, growth, and development and fluid secretions of the testes, secondary male characteristics and muscle development.
  • In the female, they are the main precursors of estrogen synthesis within the follicle.
  • They also act as part of the negative feed back system to control LH and FSH secretion.
  • In animals, there are only limited uses of androgens to control reproduction.
  • Testosterone has anabolic effects leading to increased protein synthesis, retention of potassium and phosphorus, increased bone growth, cartilage and other tissues and increased erythropoiesis by secreting erythropoietin.
  • They are used to treat infertility and impotency with varying success.
  • Androgens are also administered to cows and heifers to use them as detectors of oestrus.
Last modified: Thursday, 26 April 2012, 5:14 AM