title: Androgen and progestagen effects on plasma lipids.
abstract: Androgens are 19-carbon steroid rings. Progestagens include both 19-carbon and 21-carbon steroid rings; the 19-carbon progestagens are generally more androgenic than are the 21-carbon compounds. Both androgens and progestagens are physiological regulators of plasma lipids, particularly high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. The structure of a particular hormonal preparation, as well as its route of administration, modulates its regulatory effects. Both endogenous and exogenous androgens have a suppressive effect on HDL cholesterol in males, with little effect on other plasma lipoproteins. Oral and nonaromatizable androgens have a greater suppressive effect on HDL cholesterol, particularly on HDL2, than do aromatizable androgens. Cross-sectional studies in males generally show a positive relationship between serum T and plasma HDL levels; data in females suggest an inverse relationship between androgens and HDL cholesterol. Medroxy-progesterone acetate and related progestagens have a mild suppressive effect on plasma HDL levels. The C-19 compounds have a greater suppressive effect on HDL cholesterol and the HDL2 density subfraction.
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000728:Androgens / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000188:drug therapy; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D011372:Progestins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011627:Puberty / Q000097:blood; D011628:Puberty, Delayed / Q000188:drug therapy; D012727:Sex Characteristics
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents; D000728:Androgens; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008055:Lipids; D008074:Lipoproteins; D011372:Progestins