Androgens

Question 1

What are the major sources of circulating androgens?

Answer 1

1. testes

2. adrenal glands

Question 2

How is hormonal regulation of androgen synthesis mediated through series of biochemical reactions?

Answer 2

1. Hypothalamus
2. Pituary gland
3. adrenal glands
4. testes

Question 3

How is testosterone produced?

Answer 3

1. Testes derived from adrenal glands / C19 steroids = androstenedione

Question 4

What reaction occurs in the prostate gland?

Answer 4

Testosterone ————> dihydrotestosterone(DHT)
5-alpha reductase
DHT active ligand –> bind + activitate = androgen receptor (AR)

Question 5

What happens in early stage PCa?

Answer 5

1. atypical tumour cell proliferation - promoted by DHT-induced activation of AR signaling axis
2. Blockage + reduction circulating androgens - induce tumour regression
3. Hormonal manuiplations to reduce circulating androgens