Steroid Hormones

<p>Steroid hormone, any of a group of hormones that belong to the class of chemical compounds known as steroids; they are secreted by three &ldquo;steroid glands&rdquo;&mdash;the adrenal cortex, testes, and ovaries&mdash;and during pregnancy by the placenta. All steroid hormones are derived from cholesterol. They are transported through the bloodstream to the cells of various target organs where they carry out the regulation of a wide range of physiological functions.</p>

<p>
The adrenal cortex produces the adrenocortical hormones, which consist of the glucocorticoids and the mineralocorticoids. Glucocorticoids such as cortisol control or influence many metabolic processes, including the formation of glucose from amino acids and fatty acids and the deposition of glycogen in the liver. Glucocorticoids also help to maintain normal blood pressure, and their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive actions have rendered them useful in treating rheumatoid arthritis and preventing the rejection of transplanted organs. Mineralocorticoids such as aldosterone help maintain the balance between water and salts in the body, predominantly exerting their effects within the kidney.</p>