often prescribed as a remedy for inflammatory conditions such as
asthma and arthritis. Example: cortisol.
O
H
H
H
O
H
OH
O
OH
Cortisol
Produced in adrenal cortex
Mineralocorticoids are corticosteroids that help maintain blood volume
and control renal excretion of electrolytes. Example: aldosterone.
O
H
H
H
O
H
O
OH
O
Aldosterone
Produced in adrenal cortex
(c) Sex steroids or gonadal steroids are a subset of sex hormones that
interacts with vertebrate androgen or oestrogen receptors to produce sex
differences (primary and secondary sex characters) and support reproduction. They include androgens, oestrogens and progestagens. Examples: testosterone, oestradiol and progesterone.
OH
H
H
H
O
H
O
H
H
H
O
Oestradiol (estradiol)
The major oestrogen in humans
Progesterone
Supports gestation
(d) Phytosterols or plant sterols are steroid alcohols that occur naturally in
plants. Example: b-sitosterol.
H
H
H
O
H
β-Sitosterol
A plant sterol
(e) Ergosterols are steroids that occur in fungi, and include some vitamin D
supplements.
H
H
O
H
Ergosterol
A precursor of vitamin D 2
6.6 STEROIDS
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