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Abstract
Though unnecessary for life itself, androgens are essential for the propagation of
the species and for establishment and maintenance of the quality of life of males
through their support of sexual behavior and function, muscle strength, and sense
of well-being. In carrying out its many functions, T acts both as hormone and prohormone.
It is an outstanding example of the diverse evolutionary utilization of a primitive
informational molecule both among and within species. Not only does T act through
the androgen receptor both unchanged and via 5 alpha-reduction, but it acts in tissues
with a high aromatase level as an estrogen via the estrogen receptor. Furthermore,
DHT, binding to the estrogen receptor, can act as an inhibitor of estrogen action.
The products of androgen metabolism may also play active regulatory roles in hematopoiesis
and in the regulation of certain hepatic enzymes. Table 3 summarizes the actions of
secreted T in males indicating the probable effector hormone. While gross hypogonadism
is uncommon, mild androgen insufficiency may be much more frequent, especially in
older men, and in those receiving treatment for chronic medical conditions. It is
quite possible that such individuals would benefit from appropriate androgen therapy
were it available, but the current forms of replacement therapy are not very satisfactory.
Better approaches are required. With the exception of a small number of secreted proteins,
the products of transcription induced by androgens are not, as yet, known. When the
androgen receptor gene is cloned it will be possible to identify androgen-regulated
genes and their products. It will then be possible to design agents selectively producing
specific desired androgenic effects.