Androgen

Androgen is one of the five major classes of steroid hormones, essential in the development of secondary male sex characteristics. Androgens have vital actions on the brain, and are responsible for development of male sexual behaviour and muscle mass, as well as maintenance of thetestes.

Androgens are synthesised fromcholesterol in the inner (zona reticularis) and middle layers of the adrenal cortex, and are converted to testosterone in the peripheral tissues and testes.