Sex Steroids Flashcards
How are the sex steroid hormones transported in the blood?
Bound to sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)
except progesterone which is bound to albumin
Why are the sex steroid hormones not metabolised by the liver? (except progesterone)
Because they are bound to sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)
Which hormones up regulates sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) production?
Oestrogens
What are the nuclear receptors for oestrogens?
ER-α
ER-β
What are the nuclear receptors for progesterones?
PR-A
PR-B
What are the nuclear receptors for androgens?
AR-1
AR-2
Oral oestrogens are conjugated with which compound in the liver?
Glucoronides
How do oral antibiotics reduce the efficacy of oral oestrogens?
- Oral antibiotics reduce the amount of bacteria present in the intestine
- Intestinal bacteria is necessary to unconjugate oestrogen from glucoronides to allow absorption into the bloodstream
Name some natural and derivative oestrogens:
- 17 β Estradiol
- Estrone
- Estriol
- Ethinylestradiol
- Equilin
- Equilenin
Which oestrogen is raised in pregnancy?
Estriol
Which sex steroid stimulates the production of progesterone receptors?
Oestrogen
Which sex steroids stimulate breast and endometrial growth?
Progesterone
Oestrogen
Which sex steroid impairs glucose tolerance?
Oestrogen
Which sex steroid increases blood coagulability?
Oestrogen
Which sex steroids can increase sodium and water retention?
Oestrogen
Progesterone
What are the side effects of oestrogens?
- Nausea +/- vomiting
- Abdo bloating +/- cramps
- Thromboembolism
- Water retention
- Breast tenderness
- Acne
- Headache
- Hypertension
- Irritability
- Impaired glucose tolerance
- Endometrial/ovarian/breast hyperplasia + cancer
What are the side effects of progesterones?
- Weight gain
- Nausea +/- vomiting
- Depression
- PMS
- Lack of concentration
- Fluid retention
- Acne
- Irritability
Which sex steroid promotes hair growth?
Testosterone
What are some side effects of testosterone?
- Agression
- Acne
- Hair growth
- Reduced HDL:LDL ratio
Why do males have a higher risk of atherosclerotic disease?
Testosterone reduces the HDL:LDL ratio
Which tissues can synthesise sex steroids from cholesterol?
- Adipose
- Adrenals
- Gonads
From which common molecule are the sex steroids formed from?
Cholesterol
