sex hormone
Noun: A sex hormone is any hormone that primarily influences the development, function, and maintenance of the reproductive system and secondary sexual characteristics.
The term "sex hormone" is used in biological, medical, and endocrinological contexts to refer to natural or synthetic chemical messengers that regulate sexual development and reproductive processes. - Estrogen and testosterone are key sex hormones. - The doctor checked her sex hormone levels.
- "sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)": A protein that binds to sex hormones in the blood, regulating their activity and availability.
- High levels of sex hormone-binding globulin can affect hormone activity.
- Gonadotropin (noun): A hormone that stimulates the gonads (ovaries or testes), which in turn produce sex hormones. While related, it is not itself a sex hormone.
- Follicle-stimulating hormone is a gonadotropin.
The term "sex hormone" encompasses several specific hormones with distinct functions: 1. Androgens (e.g., testosterone): Male sex hormones responsible for the development of male reproductive tissues and secondary characteristics. 2. Estrogens (e.g., estradiol): Primary female sex hormones involved in the development of female reproductive tissues and secondary characteristics. 3. Progestogens (e.g., progesterone): Another class of female sex hormones crucial for the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
- Reproductive hormone
- Gonadal hormone (specifically those secreted by the gonads)
No common idioms directly use the term "sex hormone." It is a technical, scientific term.
- any hormone affecting the development and growth of sex organs