Gonadal

• Gonads


  The reproductive glands - the testes of the male and the ovaries of the female
• Testes


  • Produce sperm and testosterone, the male sex hormone
• Ovaries


  • Produce estrogen and progesterone, hormones that stimulate maturation of the female sex organs
• Estrogen


  Responsible for most of the changes in the female body
• Progesterone


  Associated mainly with body changes that favor the implantation of the fertilized ovum, continuation of pregnancy, and preparation of the breasts for lactation
• Estrogens

  Natural estrogenic hormones released from the ovaries - estradiol, estrone, and estriol
• Uses of estrogen products


  • Relief of hot flash symptoms of menopause
  • Contraception
  • Hormone replacement therapy after an oophorectomy
  • Prevention of osteoporosis
  • Treatment of severe acne in females
  • Palliative treatment of advanced prostatic cancer and certain types of breast cancer
• If estrogen therapy is indicated to postmenopausal women, it should be accompanied by progestin therapy to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer
• Progestins


  Progesterone and its derivatives that inhibit the secretion of pituitary gonadotropins, preventing maturation of ovarian follicles and thus inhibiting ovulation
• Uses of progestins


  • Treat secondary amenorrhea, breakthrough uterine bleeding, and endometriosis
  • Used in combination with estrogens as contraceptives
• Androgens


  The dominant male sex hormone is testosterone, produced by the testicles. Responsible for normal growth and development of male sex organs and secondary sex characteristics.
• Uses of androgens


  • Treat hypogonadism and androgen deficiency
  • Palliation of breast cancer in postmenopausal women
  • Treat wasting syndrome associated with acquired immunodeficiency