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1. SEX HORMONES
M.PRASAD NAIDU
Msc Medical
Biochemistry,
Ph.D Research scholar.

2.  Steroid hormones
 Synthesized in mammals by the ovary, testis, A.cortex corpus luteum
and placenta
 The activity of sex hormones controlled by the adenohypophyseal
hormones.
 Bcos of this, the sex hormones are, some times referred to as 20
sex
hormones of the adenohypophysis.
 3 types are sex hormones are recognized.
 1. the estrogens (female / ovarian / follicular hormones)
 2. the androgens ( male / testicular hormones)
 3. the gestogens ( corpus luteal hormones)

3.  The sex hormones are concerned with sexual processes
and the development of 20
characteristics which
differentiate males from females
 The adrenal cortical hormones perform a variety of
important functions related to cell metabolism.
 Based on the no.of C atoms present in the molecule, the
steroid hormones may be named as C18,C19 or C21 steroids.

4.  Structure:-
 Mammalian ovary contains ovarian follicles and corpus
lutea.
 Hormones produced mainly in the follicles are known as
estrogens.
 Estrogens are derivatives of C18 hydro carbon, estrane.
 The imp estrogens are
 1. β-estradiol ( C18H24O2)
 2. Estriol (C18H24O3)
 3. Estrone (C18H22O2)

5.  Estrone is the 1st
known member of the sex hormones.
 Isolated from the urine of pregnants.
 All these are characterized by the absence of a CH3 group at C10 and
by the aromatic ring A, making the OH group phenolic in character.
 Β-estradiol is the most potent estrogens.
 Estrone is less potent and estriol is least active.
 Their relative potencies are 50:5:1.
 Although ovary is the chief source of estrogens, they are in smaller
amts also produced by the testis& A.cortex.

6.  Estrogen production is highest when a woman is young & slows down
with age.↑
 Biosynthesis:-
 In non-pregnant females, estrogen is mainly synthesized in the ovary.
 The estrogen(as well as androgen) transported by binding to a
specific plasma protein called sex steroid binding protein.
 The amt of SBT increases in pregnancy or estrogen therapy which
results in reduced androgenic action.
 Testosterone, an androgen is the precursor of estrogens.

7.  Most of the metabolic reactions of the estrogens take place in the
liver
 Estradial - 17β  2-OH-estradiol-17β  2-
methoxyestradiol-17β  2-methoxyestrone
 Estrone 16→ α
-hydroxyestrone
 ↓ ↓
 2-OHestrone Estriol
 Estriol is the principal estrogen found in the placenta and urine of
pregnants.
 It is produced by hydroxylation of estrone at C16 and reduction of keto
group at C17

8.  Acetate cholesterol  pregnenolon
progesteron  testosterone  estrogen
 Regulation of Secretion of Estrogen:-
 The secretion of estrogen is regulated by
FSH released from anterior pituitary.
 The release of FSH is caused by the
gonadotropic releasing hormone secreted
from hypothalamus.

9.  Effects on uterus
 Effects on fallopian tubes
 Effects on vagina
 Effect on the breast
 Effects on 20
sexual characteristics
 Effects on bones
 Effects on protein & fat metabolism
 Effects on electrolyte balance