suprarrenal glands
Steroidogenesis: is the process by which steroid hormones are synthesized, which are classified into steroids (androgens, estrogens, and progesterone), glucocorticoids (cortisol), and mineralocorticoids (aldosterone) and are mainly synthesized in the adrenal glands, gonads, placenta, and the central nervous system. Its main effect is on body homeostasis (balance) by modulating various functions such as reproductive, including the development and maintenance of secondary sexual characteristics, among others.
The manufacture or synthesis of bioactive steroid hormones requires the activity of various classes of enzymes (eg Cytochrome P450) and gene expression at the molecular level, as well as the production of cholesterol.
Steroidogenesis occurs, as previously mentioned, in various endocrine organs, such as the adrenal glands, ovaries, testes, and placenta. Steroid synthesis defects can occur at any step in steroidogenesis and lead to characteristic clinical disorders. Most of these clinical disorders are rare and occur sporadically. The most common innate defect in steroidogenesis is congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) caused by deficiency of an enzyme called 21-hydroxylase (21OHD). Another pathology that is due to the alteration of steroidogenesis is polycystic ovary syndrome, a common endocrine disease of women of reproductive age is associated with an abnormal expression of steroidogenic enzymes, which also leads to abnormal follicular maturation.
In people who are overweight or obese, the synthesis of sex hormones may also be affected, due to the production of cholesterol, which may have high concentrations. For the purposes of human reproduction, as steroidogenesis is altered, the production of sex hormones is affected, resulting in anovulation among other clinical alterations, which are the cause of infertility.
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Biólogo Emanuel Mejía
Reisch, N. y Kuhnle, U. (2014). Endocrinología geográfica de los trastornos genéticos de esteroides. Trastornos genéticos de esteroides, 351–356. doi: 10.1016 / b978-0-12-416006-4.00029-6
Strauss, JF, Modi, B. y McAllister, JM (2014). Defectos en la biosíntesis de la hormona esteroide ovárica. Endocrinología celular en salud y enfermedad, 285-309. doi: 10.1016 / b978-0-12-408134-5.00018-4