sex steroids
Last reviewed 01/2018
The sex steroids are a group of closely related compouds which include, with generalized physiological actions:
- androgens - development and maintenance of male sexual characteristics
- progestogens - control of ovarian cycle, maintenance of pregnancy
- oestrogens - promote female sexual characteristics
In general biosynthetic terms, progestogens are precursors for androgens which in turn are precursors for oestrogens.