Steroid Hormones: Function, Types, and Medical Use

steroid hormones

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Steroid hormones are a group of hormones derived from cholesterol and produced mainly by the gonads (testes and ovaries), adrenal glands, and placenta during pregnancy. These hormones are soluble in lipids and can easily cross cell membranes to bind to specific receptors located in the nucleus or cytoplasm of target cells. Once bound, steroid hormones modify gene expression, either by upregulating or downregulating the transcription of certain genes.

The main types of steroid hormones include:

1. Sex hormones – such as testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone, which regulate sexual development and reproduction.

2. Corticosteroids – such as cortisol and aldosterone, which are involved in regulating immune function, blood pressure, and glucose metabolism.

3. Vitamin D – which regulates calcium absorption and bone metabolism.

Steroid hormones play important roles in a wide range of physiological processes such as regulation of metabolism, immune response, stress response, and growth and development. They are also used medically in hormone replacement therapy and to treat a variety of conditions such as asthma, autoimmune disorders, and certain types of cancer. However, long-term or excessive use of steroids can have harmful side effects such as infertility, weight gain, and liver damage.

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