Ontogeny of gonadal sex steroids.
Sex steroids are crucial hormones for the proper development and function of the body; they regulate sexual differentiation, the secondary sex characteristics, and sexual behaviour patterns. Gonads are the major sources of sex steroids, although adrenal cortex, placenta, and to a lesser extent other tissues contribute to their production in adult life and at various phases of development. Steroidogenesis of gonadal sex hormones is by definition sexually dimorphic, and involves differences not only in hormonal action but also in regulation and temporal patterns of production. This review focuses on the ontogeny and developmental regulation of steroid hormones in the gonads, with an attempt to detail these processes in humans.
Svechnikov
Konstantin
K
Department of Woman and Child Health, Paediatric Endocrinology Unit, Karolinska Institute and University Hospital, S-17176 Stockholm, Sweden.
Söder
Olle
O
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D054337:Cell Dedifferentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000502:physiology; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D010053:Ovary / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D019899:Paracrine Communication; D012733:Sex Differentiation; D013737:Testis / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D013799:Theca Cells / Q000502:physiology
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone