The main difference between androgen and estrogen is that androgen is any steroid hormone mainly produced in the male body, whereas estrogen is the primary female sex hormone. Furthermore, the main androgen in males is testosterone, while other androgens include dihydrotestosterone and androstenedione; the three types of endogenous estrogens in females include estrone, estradiol, and estriol. Moreover, estradiol is the most potent form of estrogen.
Androgen and estrogen are the two types of sex hormones responsible for the development and regulation of the reproductive system of males and females, respectively, while developing their secondary sex characteristics.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is an Androgen
– Definition, Types, Function
2. What is Estrogen
– Definition, Types, Function
3. What are the Similarities Between Androgen and Estrogen
– Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Androgen and Estrogen
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Androgen, Development of Reproductive System, Estrogen, Secondary Sex Characteristics, Sex Hormones, Steroids
What is an Androgen
Androgen is a group of hormones responsible for the maintenance of male characteristics and reproductive activity. Generally, the principal types of androgens in males are testosterone and androstenedione. The other types include dihydrotestosterone (DHT), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA sulfate (DHEA-S). Significantly, they are important for the development of primary male sex organs during embryonic development. Moreover, they play a critical role in the regulation of the development of secondary male sex characteristics at puberty.
Figure 1: Testosterone Production
Furthermore, during prenatal development, immediately after their differentiation, Leydig cells start to synthesize androgens. After that, these androgens take part in the masculinization or the development of the penis and scrotum Moreover, at male puberty, apart from the male secondary sex characteristics, androgens are responsible for the activation of spermatogenesis, fertility, and behavioural changes such as increased sex drive. On the other hand, androgens are responsible for inhibiting lipid deposition while increasing skeletal muscle mass.
What is Estrogen
Estrogen is the primary female sex hormone. Same as androgens in males, in females, estrogen is responsible for the development of the female reproductive system while developing secondary female sex characteristics at puberty. Generally, there are three types of estrogen hormones that occur in the female body in higher amounts. They are estrone, estradiol, and estriol. However, estradiol is the most potent form of estrogen.
Figure 2: Estrogen Types
Moreover, the secondary female sex characteristics include the development of breasts, widening of the hips, and the distribution of fat in the body. After puberty, estrogens are responsible for the regulation of the menstrual cycle. On the other hand, luteinizing hormone (LH) and the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) are the two hormones responsible for the regulation of the production and release of estrogens.
Similarities Between Androgen and Estrogen
- Androgen and estrogen are the two types of sex hormones produced in the vertebrates.
- They are steroid hormones, which are lipid-soluble. Therefore, they pass through the cell membrane to bind to a specific receptor in the cytoplasm. Then, the steroid-receptor complex passes through the nuclear membrane to enter into the nucleus. Therefore, these steroid hormones can regulate gene expression.
- Mainly, cholesterol is the precursor and gonads produce these hormones.
- Their function is to develop and regulate the reproductive system while developing secondary sex characteristics.
- Anterior pituitary hormones, including luteinizing hormone (LH) and the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) are responsible for the regulation of the production of these steroid hormones.
Difference Between Androgen and Estrogen
Definition
Androgen refers to a male sex hormone which promotes the development and maintenance of male sex characteristics, while estrogen refers to any group of steroid hormones that promote the development and maintenance of female characteristics of the body.
Occurrence
While androgens mainly occur in the male body, estrogen mainly occurs in the female body.
Main Sex Hormone
The main type of androgens is testosterone, while the main type of estrogen is estradiol.
Other Types
Moreover, the other types of androgens include dihydrotestosterone and androstenedione, while the other types of estrogens include estrone and estriol.
Production
Males produce androgens in their testis while females produce estrogen in their ovaries.
Function
Androgens are responsible for the development and maintenance of the male reproductive system while developing secondary male sex characteristics. In contrast, estrogens are responsible for the development and maintenance of the female reproductive system while developing secondary female sex characteristics.
Conclusion
Basically, androgen is the main form of sex hormones in males. Testosterone is the main form of androgen in males. Also, testis produces these hormones. In contrast, estrogen is the main type of sex hormone in females. However, estradiol is the most potent type of estrogen. Furthermore, ovaries produce estrogen in females. The main function of both androgen and estrogen is to develop and regulate the reproductive system while developing secondary sex characteristics in the corresponding gender. Also, both are lipid-soluble, steroid hormones. Hence, the main difference between androgen and estrogen is the gender in which each type of hormone is produced.
References:
1. “Structural Biochemistry/Hormones.” Wikibooks, Open Books for an Open World, Available Here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Figure 28 01 07” By OpenStax College – Anatomy & Physiology, Connexions Web site. (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Estrogen” By Pamela Frank (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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