Gonadocorticoids

Question 1

Gonadocorticoids
synthesized in the________

DHEA and its sulfated form DHEAS (by
_________)

Answer 1

zona Reticularis

sulfotransferase

Question 2

Gonadocorticoids (2) types

Answer 2

Androgen
Estrogen

Question 3

Androgens (3)

• Estrogens (3)

Answer 3

• Androstenedione
• Testosterone
• 5-dihydrotestosterone (5-DHT)

• Estradiol
• Estriol
• Estrone

Question 4

Gonadocorticoids
Androgens contribute to:

Answer 4

The onset of puberty
The appearance of secondary sex characteristics
Sex drive in females

Question 5

Men
______ of testosterone from adrenal cortex

Women
______of testosterone from adrenal cortex

Answer 5

less than 5%

40% to 65%

Question 6

In pre-menopausal women,____ are the main source of estradiol, whereas in men, the_____are the primary source of testosterone.

Answer 6

ovaries

testes

Question 7

Adrenal Androgenic Steroids (Pre-menopause in Women vs. Men)

Women (Pre-menopause)

•	Hormonal Regulation:
•	The hypothalamus secretes\_\_\_\_\_, which stimulates the anterior pituitary to release ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone).
•	ACTH acts on the adrenal glands, leading to the production of\_\_\_\_\_ and\_\_\_\_.

• Pathway:
• DHEA can be converted into sex steroids, such as(3), via intracrinology (local tissue-specific hormone conversion).

• _____is the primary estrogen, produced by the ovaries during the pre-menopausal phase, with contributions from adrenal androgens.

Answer 7

CRH (Corticotropin-releasing hormone)

cortisol and DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)

estradiol (E₂), testosterone, and DHT (dihydrotestosterone)

Estradiol

Question 8

Adrenal Androgenic Steroids (Pre-menopause in Women vs. Men)

Men:
• Hormonal Regulation:
• Similar to women, CRH from the hypothalamus stimulates ACTH release from the anterior pituitary.
• ACTH promotes adrenal gland secretion of cortisol and DHEA.

• Pathway:
• The_____ primarily produce testosterone, but_____ from the adrenal glands also contributes to the pool of androgens like testosterone and DHT.

• These sex steroids (3) play roles in male physiology, including reproduction and secondary sexual characteristics.

Answer 8

testes

DHEA

E₂, testosterone, DHT

Question 9

Source of Sex Steroids in Post-Menopausal Women

Changes After Menopause:

• After menopause, ovarian function declines, and_____ production from the ovaries decreases significantly.

• The primary source of sex steroids becomes the______, which secrete DHEA and its sulfate form (DHEA-S).

Answer 9

estradiol

adrenal glands

Question 10

Metabolism of DHEA

DHEA and Its Metabolites

•	Pathways:

1. ______ can be converted into DHEA sulfate (DHEA-S), a storage form in circulation.
2. It is further metabolized into derivatives like 7-oxo-DHEA or 7α-hydroxy-DHEA.
3. Other metabolites include androstenetriol and androstenediol.

Answer 10

DHEA

Question 11

Conversion to Sex Steroids

•	DHEA is a precursor for both androgens and estrogens:

1. Androgens:
   • DHEA → Androstenedione → Testosterone →______
2. Estrogens:
   • DHEA → Androstenedione → Estrone →_______

Answer 11

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)

17β-Estradiol

Question 12

Adrenal Androgens Excess in Males

Infertility

Feminizing effects by inhibiting pituitary exposue gonadotropins

Lower testosterone

Question 13

Hypogonadal symptoms

Answer 13

” Loss muscle mass
- Decreased hair growth
• Decrease testes size

Question 14

Adrenal Androgens Excess in Females

Answer 14

• Infertility
• Masculinizing effects

• Hirsutism (excessive hair)
• Acne
• Male pattern baldness
• Menstrual irregularities
• Virility