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Pol J Cosmetol 2013, 16(3): 220-225pl  Influence of androgens on the organism and woman skinMagdalena Wierucka-Rybak Zakład Patofizjologii Behawioralnej, Katedra Patologii Ogólnej i Doświadczalnej Wydziału Zdrowia Publicznego Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Łodzi Summary Androgens in the serum of women of child-bearing age are both produced by the gonads and adrenal glands. Moreover, they are also a result of the conversion from proandrogens in peripheral tissues. In the ovary, androgens are being produced under the influence of luteinizing hormone at theca lutein cell, theca granulosa cell and hilus cell. During the expiration of physiological gonadal hormone activity, androgens in the main part are being produced by adrenal glands. The zona reticunalis of adrenal glands is continuing the secretion of androstendione, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) in the postmenopausal period. The role of the "male" sex hormones at women is very essential both in the physiological, pathological as well as clinical aspect. An appropriate level of androgens plays an important role in skin physiology such as skin firmness or control of sebum secretion and hair growth. It is well established that extreme levels of circulating androgens, whether low or high, may lead to negative effects on women´s skin such as acne, alopecia or seborrhea. The knowledge of androgens in women is considered to be a progressive field of science. It is believed that exploration of these problems improves the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of hyperandrogenemia. Key words: androgens, skin, dihydrotestosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, acne vulgaris, alopecia androgenica, seborrhea |