The objective of this review was to describe sexual differentiation events in mammals, relating them to biosynthesis of sexual steroid hormones and their mechanisms of action. Cholesterol is the precursor of sexual steroid hormone biosynthesis via action of several enzymes converting these hormones. Progestagens hormones serve as substrate for the production of androgens, which in turn serve as...

Steroid hormones released immediately before and after birth provoke sexual differentiation of neural circuits. Further, steroid hormones secreted during adolescence also exert long lasting effects on the nervous system. Hormones secreted during development may act through two distinct pathways: (1) hormones can directly affect neuron and synapse elimination and (2) endocrine changes in the ner...

background: endometrial remodeling occurs during each menstrual cycle in women. reports have shown that, in a variety of cell types, processes such as proliferation, signaling complex formation and extra cellular matrix remodeling require a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase, focal adhesion kinase (fak). the present study has focused on the expression pattern of fak in human endometrium during the men...

The steroid hormones are lipophilic compounds with low molecular weight, derived from cholesterol, which play a crucial role in differentiation, development and physiological functions of many tissues. They are synthesized primarily by endocrine glands, such as the gonads, the adrenal glands and the feto-placental unit during pregnancy. In addition, the central nervous system (CNS) seems to be ...

early and regular blood transfusion therapy in patients with homozygous beta-thalassemia decreases the complications of severe anemia and prolongs survival. in the long term, however, the beneficial effects of transfusions are limited by the organ damage resulting from iron overload. endocrine complications in patients with thalassemia major in developing countries may be frequent due t o subop...

Steroid hormones are lipophilic, low-molecular weight organic compounds all of which are derived from cholesterol. They are primarily synthesized by steroidogenic glands such as gonads (ovary and testis), the adrenal gland and, during pregnancy, by the placental trophoblasts. Limited steroid synthesis also takes place in the brain. Steroid hormones are crucial for the proper functioning of the ...

Steroid hormones signaling before and after birth sexually differentiates neuronal circuitry. Additionally, steroid hormones released during adolescence can also have long lasting effects on adult behavior and neuronal circuitry. As adolescence is a critical period for the organization of the nervous system by steroid hormones it may also be a sensitive period for the effects of social experien...

T HE mechanism of sexual behavior has long been an intriguing although frustrating subject of investigation. With the discovery of the role of the gonads as producers of hormones, and particularly after the isolation, purification, and synthesis of the steroid hormones, biologists believed that a simple explanation of sexual behavior was at last available. Many observers had noted that sexual b...

Early and regular blood transfusion therapy in patients with homozygous beta-thalassemia decreases the complications of severe anemia and prolongs survival. In the long term, however, the beneficial effects of transfusions are limited by the organ damage resulting from iron overload. Endocrine complications in patients with thalassemia major in developing countries may be frequent due t o ...