androgen
/'ændrədʤən/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A type of steroid hormone that develops and maintains male characteristics in vertebrates. The primary and most well-known androgen is testosterone.
- Any substance, natural or synthetic, that stimulates or controls the development and maintenance of male characteristics by binding to androgen receptors.
Usage and Examples
- Noun:
- Testosterone is the principal androgen produced by the testes.
- Some medical conditions are treated with synthetic androgens.
- The level of androgen in the body influences muscle mass and body hair growth.
Advanced Usage
- Androgen insensitivity syndrome: A condition where an individual's body is unable to respond properly to androgen hormones.
- Androgen insensitivity syndrome results in the development of female physical traits despite having a male XY chromosome pattern.
- Anti-androgen: A substance that blocks the biological effects of androgen hormones.
- Anti-androgen drugs are sometimes used in the treatment of prostate cancer.
Variants and Related Words
- Androgenic (adj): Relating to or having the properties of an androgen.
- The androgenic effects of the hormone include deepening of the voice.
- Androgenesis (n): A form of reproduction involving the development of an embryo containing only paternal chromosomes.
- Androgeny (n): An alternative, less common spelling for "androgyny," which means the combination of masculine and feminine characteristics.
Synonyms
- Male sex hormone: The general category to which androgens belong.
- Testoid: A less common synonym for an androgen.
Related Phrases and Compounds
- Androgen receptor: A protein in cells that binds androgens and mediates their effects.
- Androgen deprivation therapy: A treatment that reduces androgen levels to suppress the growth of certain cancers.
- Adrenal androgen: Androgens produced by the adrenal glands, such as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).
Noun
- male sex hormone that is produced in the testes and responsible for typical male sexual characteristics