Sex hormones, also known as sex steroids, in anthropic physiology, influence sex development, reproduction, and various bodily functions. The main sex hormones include:
- Estrogen: Produced primarily by the ovaries (macrogametic), estrogen affects sex development, bone health, and more. It includes estradiol.
- Testosterone: Mainly produced by the testes (microgametic), testosterone influences wolffian sex traits, muscle growth, and overall health. They can be considered forms of testoids (also known as androgens).
- Progesterone: Produced in the ovaries, progesterone is important for pregnancy and menstrual cycles.
These hormones regulate sexuality, fertility, and other physiological processes.
Hormones, in general, are the body's chemical messengers. They coordinate various functions by transmitting signals through the bloodstream to organs, skin, muscles, and other tissues.[1] These signals guide one's body on what to do and when to do it. Hormones regulate essential processes such as metabolism, growth, sex function, and mood.[2] Examples of hormones include insulin, thyroxine, sex hormones (e.g. testosterone, estrogen), and cortisol.[3][4]
Bodies can be predominantly estrogenized or predominantly testosteronized, but there are also interhormonal (hormonally intersex) bodies.
References
- ↑ Hormones and Endocrine Function | Endocrine Society. https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/hormones-and-endocrine-function.
- ↑ Hormones: What They Are, Function & Types - Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22464-hormones.
- ↑ What are hormones? Types, functions, and imbalances - Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-are-hormones
- ↑ Hormonal system - what it is and how it works | healthdirect. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/hormonal-system-endocrine. (4)