Androgens are male-type hormones, including testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione (Andro), androsterone, and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). They are the precursor of all estrogens, the female sex hormones.

Research shows the body produces more androgens when higher levels of insulin are present. Because of this, androgens are related to a number of insulin-linked conditions including polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Androgens are also known to fuel prostate cell growth and are currently being studied to develop more effective prostate cancer treatments.

References

Indrani Sinha-Hikim, Wayne E. Taylor, Nestor F. Gonzalez-Cadavid, Wei Zheng and Shalender Bhasin. Androgen Receptor in Human Skeletal Muscle and Cultured Muscle Satellite Cells: Up-Regulation by Androgen Treatment. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (2004 ) volume 89 pages 5245-5255. Starka L, Duskova M, Cermakova I, Vrbikova J, Hill M.Premature androgenic alopecia and insulin resistance. Male equivalent of polycystic ovary syndrome?Endocr Regul. 2005 Dec;39(4):127-31.Loberg RD, St John LN, Day LL, Neeley CK, Pienta KJ.Development of the VCaP androgen-independent model of prostate cancer.Urol Oncol. 2006 Mar-Apr;24(2):161-8. Dehm SM, Tindall DJ.Molecular regulation of androgen action in prostate cancer.J Cell Biochem. 2006 Mar 3; [Epub ahead of print]. Stanbrough M, Bubley GJ, Ross K, Golub TR, Rubin MA, Penning TM, Febbo PG, Balk SP.Increased expression of genes converting adrenal androgens to testosterone in androgen-independent prostate cancer.Cancer Res. 2006 Mar 1;66(5):2815-25.