Sexual Hormones/Steroids

Steroid hormones are derived from cholesterol as a basic structure. These are fat-soluble compounds which, unlike the other hormone groups, can enter the cell directly. There, they bind to their corresponding receptors, allowing them to exert their effects. The steroid receptor complex causes the transcription of specific DNA segments in the cell nucleus so that other structural proteins are produced, for example. Steroid hormones are able to overcome the blood-brain barrier through their lipophilicity. When transported via the bloodstream, steroid hormones are dependent on plasma proteins and special transport proteins because of their water-repellent properties. Corticosteroids are formed in the adrenal cortex and are built on a common basic framework of progesterone.

Corticosteroids can be divided into three groups, depending on their effect. Mineral corticoids influence the mineral balance of the body. A main representative is aldosterone. Glucocorticoids activate important metabolic processes. As an important representative of this group, cortisol also has a dampening effect on the immune system and can therefore suppress excessive immune reactions. A number of steroid hormones are present in the structurally non-uniform group of sex hormones. Apart from the adrenal cortex, they are - depending on sex - also formed in the gonads. Androgens, including dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and oestrogens, such as oestradiol, oestriol and oestrone, are important representatives of this hormone group.