Steroid hormones progestins

Steroid hormones can be subdivided into sex hormones (androgens, estrogens, and progestins) and corticosteroids (glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids). 

Steroid hormones are divided into six classes, based on physiological effects estrogens, androgens, progestins, glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids and vitamin D 847... 

In order to review these putative relationships it is first useful to define a subset of well-characterized hormones and neurotransmitters that have been implicated in behavior. The chemicals selected for discussion here are among those for which a robust relationship with behavior has been proposed, including steroids (estrogens, progestins, androgens and glucocorticoids), proteins (prolactin) and the neuropeptides (oxytocin and vasopressin). All of these chemicals may act as hormones, neurotransmitters and/or neuromodulators. In addition, to understand the action of these hormones, it is helpful to be familiar with some of the more common neurotransmitters (described below). Space does not permit a discussion of the behavioral effects of many additional compounds with endocrine or paracrine properties. 

An additional mode of estrogen and progesterone action is classified as nongenomic effects. Nongenomic mechanisms for steroid hormone action are attributed to responses to estrogens and progestins that occur in a very short time (seconds to several minutes) such that they are difficult to explain by transcriptional activa-... 

The remaining steroid lipids constitute two main classes of steroid hormones sex hormones and adrenocortical hormones. The sex hormones include androgens (testosterone, androsterone), estrogens (estrone, estradiol), and progestins (progesterone). The adrenocortical hormones include mineralocorticoids (aldosterone) and glucocorticoids (hydrocortisone). 

In the animal body three important groups of hormones are formed by the metabolism of cholesterol the progestins, the sex hormones, and the adrenal cortical hormones 249 Their synthesis occurs principally in mitochondria of the adrenal cortex and the gonads. Steroid hormone synthesis is regulated by hormones, such as corticotropin (ACTH), from the anterior pituitary250 (see Chapter 30) and is also dependent upon the recently discovered steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, which in some way promotes the movement of stored cholesterol into mitochondrial membranes.251 252 Some major pathways of... 

Reproductive organs are the primary source of the steroid hormones that influence sexual and reproductive functions. In men, the testes produce testosterone and similar androgens that are responsible for spermatogenesis and the secondary sexual characteristics of adult males.7,26 In women, sexual maturation and reproductive function are governed by the production of estrogens and progestins from the ovaries.27 The release of male and female sex steroids is controlled by hormones from the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary.32 The control of male and female hormone activity and the pharmacologic implications of these hormones are discussed in Chapter 30. 

This chapter discusses the pharmacology of the steroid hormones that are produced by the adrenal cortex. The two primary types of adrenal steroids are the glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. Small amounts of other steroids such as the sex hormones (androgens, estrogens, and progestins) are also produced by the adrenal cortex. These steroids are discussed in Chapter 30. 

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