Hormones are molecules produced and secreted by endocrine glands in the body.

Steroid hormones are derived from cholesterol and are lipid-soluble molecules.

How do steroid hormones work?

• Steroid hormones pass through the cell membrane of the target cell.


• The steroid hormone binds with a specific receptor in the cytoplasm.


• The receptor bound steroid hormone travels into the nucleus and binds to another specific receptor on the chromatin.


• The steroid hormone-receptor complex calls for the production of messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules (by transcription), which code for the production of proteins .

Anabolic steroid hormones have the same mechanism of action within the body. These hormones are synthetic substances that are related to the male sex hormones.