Pronunciation: [ˈandɹəd͡ʒən] (IPA) 
Androgen is a hormone that plays a crucial role in male development and health. The spelling of this word is derived from Greek, with the "andro" meaning male or man, and "gen" meaning to produce. The IPA phonetic transcription of "androgen" is /ændrədʒən/. The "a" sound is pronounced as in "cat," the "n" sound is nasal, and the "dʒ" sound is like the "j" in "jacket." The emphasis is placed on the second syllable, "dro."
Androgen is a term used to describe a class of hormones that are primarily responsible for the development and maintenance of male characteristics in both males and females. Specifically, androgens are steroids that stimulate the growth of male reproductive organs and the development and maintenance of sexual characteristics such as body hair, deepening of the voice, and muscle mass.
The primary and most well-known androgen is testosterone, which is produced by the testes in male individuals and the ovaries and adrenal glands in females. Testosterone plays a crucial role in the development of male genitalia during fetal development and the onset of secondary sexual characteristics during puberty.
In addition to testosterone, other androgens such as dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) also contribute to the development of male traits. These hormones bind to androgen receptors in target cells, where they regulate gene expression and modulate various physiological processes.
Excessive or insufficient androgen levels can result in various disorders. High levels of androgens in females can lead to conditions like hirsutism (excessive hair growth) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), while low levels in males can cause decreased muscle mass, reduced libido, and impaired fertility.
Androgens also play a critical role in the treatment of certain medical conditions. They are used to treat hormonal imbalances, delayed puberty, and certain forms of cancer, as well as to enhance athletic performance in some cases.
Overall, androgens are hormones that are essential for the development and maintenance of male characteristics and are involved in a wide range of physiological processes in both males and females.
The term androgen is derived from the Greek words andros meaning man or male, and genes meaning born of or produced by. Therefore, androgen literally translates to produced by a man or born of a man.
