Androgen Hormone: Definition, Functions, Hormonal Levels and Effects

Androgen hormones are a group of hormones which is present in both males and females but it plays a major role in the reproductive system of males. Testosterone and androstenedione make up the androgen hormone. Some other androgen hormones are dihydrotestosterone (DHT), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA sulfate (DHEA-S). 

Keyterms: Hormone, dihydrotestosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, DHEA sulfate, reproductive system, androstenedione, Testosterone, adrenal glands

Testosterone is a kind of androgen hormone which is produced by the interstitial tissue or Leydig cells present in the intertubular spaces. The adrenal cortex is the outer portion of the adrenal glands which also releases a small amount of androgen hormone which is responsible for the growth of pubic hair, facial hair, and axial hair during puberty. It is considered a natural or synthetic sex steroid hormone that plays a major role in the development of male sexual organs and regulates the hormonal physical changes in a male.The fat cells, ovaries, and adrenal glands produce androgen hormones in females.

Testosterone 

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Functions of Androgen Hormones

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Androgen hormones have many significant biological functions in males. They not regulate the hormonal secretions during puberty but also maintains the metabolism in the body, body composition, body insulin, density of the bone, and lastly the brain functioning and moods. Some of the major function of the androgen hormones is:

• Spermatogenesis: the phenomenon of spermatogenesis is impossible without androgen hormones. Androgen hormone along with follicle-stimulating hormone act on the Sertoli cells which results in the production of sperms.
• Anabolic effects on protein and carbohydrates are generated from androgen hormones
• It maintains the development and functioning of the male sex organs such as the urethra, prostate glands, epididymis, seminal vesicles, vas deferens, etc.
• The androgen level in the body changes with puberty. The masculine sexual secondary characters are developed such as increased sex drive, gynephilia, change in the voice, the emergence of adam’s apple, pubic hair, penile growth, muscle mass, and broad shoulders.
• Testosterone is converted to 5α- dihydrotestosterone with the help of androgen.
• Increase in the production of sweat and the activity of the sebaceous (oil-producing) glands
• Androgens stimulate the weight and size of the kidney
• Increases the protein in bone tissue and red blood cells.

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Mechanism of the Androgen Hormone

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The interstitial cells of Leydig and the ovaries produce androgen hormones. Androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA sulfate), and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) are some of the adrenal androgens which can be converted to testosterone. Cholesterol is converted during the process of production. DHT is produced actively in the liver, brain, prostate gland, skin, muscle, and fat tissue during the conversion of testosterone. The secretion from the pituitary gland known as the luteinizing hormone is responsible for controlling the actual secretion of androgen by the Leydig cells.

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Hormonal Levels

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A male or a female during puberty experiences changes in the hormonal level. The level of hormone depends on many factors such as age and sex of an individual. A woman’s hormone levels increase when she is pregnant and especially with a male fetus. The hormonal level decreases with the increasing age. There are many reasons for the fluctuation in the hormonal level of a person. Some of them are:

• Hypopituitarism
• HIV
• Chemotherapy
• Side effects of Birth control pills or any estrogen-containing medicines for hormone therapy
• Surgically induced menopause
• early menopause
•  adrenal insufficiency

Increased Level of Androgen Hormone

Some of the symptoms of the increased level of androgen hormones are:

• Too much hair growth
• Acne
• Anovulation
• Absence of periods
• Infertility

There are many diseases caused due to high level of androgen hormones in the body of an individual. Diseases such as ovarian tumors, poly ovarian syndrome, Cushing's diseases, tumors on the adrenal gland, and hyperprolactinemia (production of a high amount of prolactin) are associated with the production of a high level of androgen hormone in the body.

Decreased Level of Androgen Hormone

Symptoms of low androgen hormone in the body are:

• Mood swing
• Sweating
• Loss of body hair
• Tiredness
• Decrease in sexual libido
• Decreased amount of ejaculation
• Body fat increases around some part of the body especially around the abdomen
• Reduction in muscle mass and strength
• Erections and orgasms take time
• Development of breast
• Osteoporosis
• Hot flushes
• Depression

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Things to Remember

• Testosterone replacement therapy helps to recover androgen deficiency which includes problems of the pituitary gland, testes, and hypothalamus
• Hot flushes and sweating, depression, weaker erection, and ejaculation are some of the symptoms of androgen deficiency.
• Pediatric hormone specialists or pediatric endocrinologists are the specialists who give medical treatment for androgen deficiency among boys who have not reached puberty
• luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is responsible for the production of androgen hormone

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Previous Year Questions

1. A health disorder that results from the deficiency of thyroxine in adults and characterised by…..[NEET 2009]
2. A steroid hormone which regulates glucose metabolism is -...[NEET 2006]
3. Which one of the following pair of organs include only endocrine glands ?..[NEET 2008]
4. Acromegaly is caused by :-….[NEET 2002]
5. ADH or vasopressin is….[NEET 1992]
6. Adrenaline directly affects on :-...[NEET 2002]
7. Cholecystokinin and duocrinin are secreted by...[NEET 1999]
8. Which hormone initiated this action ?...[NEET 2007]
9. Graves disease is caused due to…..[NEET 2006]
10. Hormones thyroxine, adrenaline and the pigment melanin are formed from….[NEET 1997]
11. Hypersecretion of Growth Hormone in adults does not cause further increase in height, because:….[NEET 2017]
12. Insulin is a...[NEET 1990]
13. Mainly which type of hormones control the menstrual cycle in human beings :-...[NEET 2002]
14. Which hormone possesses anti-insulin effect?...[NEET 1988]
15. Which of the following statements is correct in relation to the endocrine system ?...[NEET 2013]
16. Which of the following is an amino acid derived hormone ?...[NEET 2018]
17. Which of the following is an accumulation and release centre of neurohormones ?...[NEET 2006]
18. With reference to the pituitary, which of the following statements is true?​...[KCET 2011]