steroids (endocrinological information)

Last reviewed 07/2021

The steroids are a group of compounds which have the following features in common:

• a backbone structure of a steroid nucleus consisting of:
• 3 six-membered carbon rings
• 1 five-membered carbon ring
• solubility in organic solvents, insoluble in inorganic solvents
• widespread use as hormones

Steroids may be natural or synthetic. Natural steroids include:

• corticosteroids
• sex hormones
• bile salts
• sterols
• some vitamin-derivatives e.g. calcitriol

Steroids have powerful actions on all body cells ranging from control of growth and fertility to determination of sex.