What does androgen mean?

Androgen means a necessary hormone that promotes the maturation of male accessory organs and secondary sexual characteristics. It can maintain normal male sexual desire and male reproductive function. Androgen is mainly composed of testosterone secreted by the testicles. It is a steroid hormone. Adult males secrete 4 to 9 mg of testosterone every day. Testosterone is inactivated in the liver, and the inactivated derivatives can be excreted through urine.

Cause

Androgens are mainly produced in the testicles of male animals, and the adrenal cortex also secretes a small amount of androgens. The original hormone isolated from testicular tissue is called testosterone, which has the functions of promoting the formation of male reproductive organs, the development of secondary sexual characteristics and promoting protein assimilation.

Androgens are regulated by the pituitary gland and hypothalamus. There is a complex relationship of mutual connection and mutual restraint between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and gonadal hormones. Together, they participate in the control and regulation of reproductive activities, which is called the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.

The main male hormone is testosterone, 95% of which is secreted by interstitial cells of the testicles and 5% by the adrenal glands. Androgens play a very important role in the generation of male sexual desire and the maintenance of sexual function, but they are not the only factor in maintaining sexual desire and sexual function in adults.

Men's testosterone levels change rhythmically over a 24-hour period, being highest in the morning and lowest in the evening. Although men often have erections in the morning, sexual activity peaks at night. It seems that human sexual desire is not only related to hormones, but also restricted by other factors.

Physiological effects

1. Fetal impact

The physiological effects of androgens already exist during the fetal period. Testosterone in androgens can promote the differentiation of gonadal structure. The male internal and external genitalia are formed under its action. On the contrary, if the fetus lacks testosterone or the amount of testosterone is insufficient, the fetus's sexual organs will be deformed or underdeveloped, such as cryptorchidism.

2. Secondary Sexual Characteristics

Sexual physiological development includes the development of primary sexual characteristics (such as the development of sexual reproductive organs) and secondary sexual characteristics (such as the development of body appearance). The role of androgen in promoting the development of primary sexual characteristics includes promoting the enlargement of testicles and the thickness of penis, etc.; the role of secondary sexual characteristics includes promoting the appearance of body hair, voice change, and prominent Adam's apple, etc. If there is no male hormone or the secretion of male hormone is too low, the development of sexual organs and the appearance of secondary sexual characteristics will be delayed, and even physical abnormalities may occur.

3. Sperm living environment

The conditions for sperm survival are quite demanding, such as requiring a higher concentration of body fluids, which are difficult to meet with ordinary body fluids. However, the concentration of testosterone in male hormones is many times higher than that in general body fluids, thus creating good living conditions for sperm.

4. Sexual function

Androgens stimulate sexual desire and increase sexual excitement by affecting the sexual nerve center and stimulating the reproductive organs. If there is no or too little male hormone, a person's sexual desire will decrease, and it is easy to cause sexual dysfunction such as impotence. Testosterone deficiency can lead to a decline in overall health in middle-aged and older men, including decreased libido, depression, fatigue and erectile dysfunction. Studies have shown that the lower a man's testosterone level, the greater the likelihood of developing metabolic syndrome, which in turn leads to diabetes, heart disease, cardiovascular disease, and even erectile dysfunction.

5. Good health

Androgens can accelerate the synthesis of various proteins in the body, including promoting the synthesis of immunoglobulins and improving the body's immunity. As a result, the human body develops well-developed muscles and a strong body. Male hormones can also improve the hematopoietic function of the male body's bones and make the bone marrow produce more red blood cells.