An example of a lipid-soluble hormone is estradiol, an estrogen (female sex hormone).
Lipid-soluble hormones, also known as lipid-derived hormones, are capable of diffusing through the cell membrane and binding to receptors located within the cytoplasm or nucleus of the cell. This mechanism of action differs significantly from water-soluble hormones, which bind to receptors on the cell surface. Because they are lipid-soluble, these hormones are typically transported in the blood bound to transport proteins.
Examples of other lipid-soluble hormones include:
- Testosterone: An androgen, or male sex hormone.
- Cortisol: A glucocorticoid produced by the adrenal gland.
- Thyroxine (T4): A thyroid hormone.
- Triiodothyronine (T3): Another thyroid hormone.
- Aldosterone: A mineralocorticoid produced by the adrenal gland.
These hormones play diverse and vital roles in regulating various physiological processes, including reproduction, metabolism, and stress response.
