TLDR Male hormones and their interactions are crucial for male sexual development and characteristics.
The chapter "Androgens" from 2015 detailed the complex interplay of hormones involved in male sex determination, development, and maintenance of secondary sex characteristics. It highlighted the roles of hypothalamic hormones (GnRH and kisspeptin), pituitary gonadotropins (LH and FSH), androgenic steroids (testosterone and 5α-dihydrotestosterone), anti-Mullerian hormone, and inhibin. Additionally, it noted the significance of estradiol in males. The chapter also covered the crucial roles of the male genotype and fetal testicular hormone production in sexual differentiation and the final developmental stage of puberty.
218 citations,
December 2011 in “Advances in Urology” The document concludes that the 5 alpha-reductase enzymes are important in steroid metabolism and related to various human diseases, with inhibitors used to treat conditions like male pattern baldness and prostate issues.
51 citations,
May 2013 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology” Certain drugs that block specific enzymes can help treat prostate diseases.
55 citations,
May 2019 in “Journal of Endocrinology” Androgens are important for female fertility and could help in IVF treatment, but also play a role in causing PCOS.
27 citations,
April 2013 in “Reviews in endocrine and metabolic disorders” The document concludes that using LC-MS/MS for measuring androgens is more accurate than older methods, but it needs careful validation and standardized references to be most effective.
33 citations,
October 1994 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Finasteride reduces hair growth and is safe for women with excessive hair.
14 citations,
March 2022 in “Clinical Endocrinology” The document concludes that a systematic approach is crucial to identify causes of androgen excess in women beyond the most common cause, Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
3 citations,
January 2001 in “Cambridge University Press eBooks” Finasteride effectively treats hair loss and enlarged prostate in men, with mild side effects.
