STEROID HORMONES 



between maleness and femaleness to the temperature of the gonads? 

 On the basis of urinary hormone measurements the difference between 

 men and women rests on a difference in the ratio of male to female 

 sex hormone, for the absolute amounts of each excreted varies widely 

 in each sex. It would seem to follow, therefore, that the development 

 of the typical secondary sexual characteristics depends on the balance 

 of certain steroid chemicals in the body. What cellular processes are 

 controlled by this balance? There is no direct neutralization of testoid 

 by folliculoid. Again we find a biochemical mystery. 



Conclusion 



In this presentation of certain problems in the biochemistry 

 of steroid hormones there has been no attempt at an inclusive review. 

 Essentially we have been engaged on a rather specialized gap-finding 

 mission. If there has seemed to be an emphasis on our ignorance, the 

 purpose thereof is ob\'ious. The frontiersman faces the unknown; 

 but behind him and at his disposal are innumerable known resources. 



The known resources and the many frontiers of steroid hormone 

 endocrinology could occupy our attention for many pages. In the 

 decade that has followed the original identification of a few steroid 

 substances as active hormones, investigation has been made of their 

 role in a host of normal and pathological processes. There are data 

 on their involvement in menstruation, pregnancy, lactation, growth, 

 reproduction, embryogeny, puberty, senility, cancer, dermatology, 

 overt endocrinopathies, leukemia, inflammation, diabetes, melan- 

 cholia, schizophrenia, toxemia — most of the ills and physiological 

 goods of man and beast. These hormones are called upon to regulate 

 the other glands of internal secretion; they depress and stimulate 

 pituitary secretion and thyroid activity. The folliculoids affect not 

 only the organs of reproduction but also bone growth, sugar regula- 

 tion, skin growth, and carcinogenesis. Progesterone maintains em- 

 bryo life and pregnancy as well as affecting mammary growth, the 

 salt balance in blood and tissues, and smooth muscle contractility. 

 The testoids are not merely androgenic, they stimulate the synthesis 

 of protein and are often luteoid, acne-producing, and factors in bald- 

 ness. The adrenal cortex steroids function in sugar, fat, protein, and 

 salt metabolism; they affect emergency reactions to damage, processes 

 in convalescence, and lymphatic function. 



