Hormones 2016

The Biochemistry of Sex Hormones
Ovarian Glands
The ovary (plural - ovaries) is either of two organs found in the female
reproductive tract in which ova form and which is responsible for the
production of the hormones, oestrogen and progesterone. These hormones
cause the genetic female’s secondary sexual characteristics to develop. The
ovaries are responsible for ova (plural - ovum) production, the female
reproductive cell or egg.
Testicular Glands
The testis (also, testicle; plural - testes, testicles) is either of two primary
male reproductive organs that produce both sperm cells and the male’s
major sex hormone, testosterone. The testes are located in a sac called the
scrotum, which is located below the penis (TGC, 2015b).
The Biochemistry of Sex Hormones
All steroids in the body are formed from acetate, which is a 2-carbon
compound. Steroids display a characteristic four-ring system. This steroid
carbon skeleton, often referred to as the steroid nucleus, is found in all the
steroids described here.
The first step in its conversion to a variety of steroids is the formation
of cholesterol, which is a 27-carbon steroid. The formation of cholesterol
occurs through a complex, eleven step series of reactions. Cholesterol is by
far the most common steroid. It is found in most animal tissue, with the
greatest amount in the tissues of the central nervous system, that being the
brain and spinal cord.
With any introduction to the essential nature and importance of cholesterol,
it should be noted that the common concern with cholesterol is derived from
its excess, whereby it contributes to vascular and heart disease. Cholesterol,
in of itself, is absolutely not unhealthy, but essential to life.
The Degradation of Cholesterol
In the next phase, the cholesterol degrades, and in the ensuing process,
creates all sex steroids (sex hormones) and corticosteroids.
The variety of steroids created occur from a stepwise degradation
of cholesterol: Pregnenolone, progesterone, 17-hydroxypregnenolone,
17-hydroxyprogesterone, and corticosteroids, having 21 carbon atoms,
followed by androgens (testosterone and Androstenedione), having 19
carbon atoms, and natural oestrogens having 18 carbon atoms.
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Version 2016.3576– – Document LATEXed – 1st May 2016
[git] • Branch: 1.5 @ 26b5e6d • Release: 1.5 (2016-05-01)