Basics of Androgen Synthesis and Action
TLDR Androgens like testosterone are important hormones for both men and women, made differently in each sex and affecting the body by regulating genes and quick interactions with cell components.
Androgens, including testosterone (T), are critical sex hormones for both males and females, with males having significantly higher concentrations. Testosterone is primarily produced in men's testicular Leydig cells, while in women, it is synthesized from precursors in the adrenal cortex and ovaries and then converted in peripheral tissues. Dihydrotestosterone, a more potent androgen, can be synthesized from testosterone through the classic pathway, but alternative pathways also exist. Androgens exert their effects through the androgen receptor, which regulates gene transcription in the nucleus, but they can also have rapid effects by interacting directly with membrane proteins or signaling molecules. This review provides an overview of androgen biosynthesis, action mechanisms, and their role in human biology, including their involvement in various congenital and acquired disorders.
