Androgens: A lecture

Androgens (Greek aner, andros - male and genesis - origin) - compounds with the properties of the male sex hormone testosterone (T). T (androst-4-en-17p-ol-3-one; molecular mass 288.41) is a derivative of androstane. In 1935, Laker from 100 kg of testes of bulls for the first time isolated 10 mg of a pure substance, which he called testosterone. Its biological activity was 10 times higher than that of androsterone known at that time. Based on a number of studies, it has been suggested that T is a 17-dihydro derivative of androstenedione. Soon, the hypothetical structure of T was deciphered and its synthesis was carried out. This was a prologue for the synthesis of dozens of derivatives of T with desired properties. Later, a large number of natural androgens secreted by the testes and adrenal glands, as well as their metabolic products excreted in the urine, were isolated from various biological environments of humans and animals. Biosynthesis and metabolism of androgens. Using various methods, including chemical-analytical, radioisotope, chromatographic, perfusion of testes, studying metabolic products excreted in the urine, it was possible to develop a conceptual scheme of androgen synthesis. Cholesterol ester, accumulated by Leydig cells of the testis, is a source of androgen formation.