Editing Steroid (section)

=== Animal ===
Animal steroids include compounds of [[vertebrate]] and [[insect]] origin, the latter including [[ecdysteroid]]s such as [[ecdysterone]] (controlling molting in some species). Vertebrate examples include the [[steroid hormones]] and cholesterol; the latter is a structural component of [[cell membranes]] that helps determine the fluidity of [[cell membranes]] and is a principal constituent of [[Atheroma|plaque]] (implicated in [[atherosclerosis]]). Steroid hormones include:
* [[Sex hormone]]s, which influence [[sexual differentiation|sex differences]] and support [[reproduction]]. These include [[androgen]]s, [[estrogen]]s, and [[progestogen]]s.
* [[Corticosteroid]]s, including most synthetic steroid drugs, with [[natural product]] classes the [[glucocorticoid]]s (which regulate many aspects of [[metabolism]] and [[immune system|immune function]]) and the [[mineralocorticoid]]s (which help maintain blood volume and control [[kidney|renal]] excretion of [[electrolyte]]s)
* [[Anabolic steroid]]s, [[natural product|natural]] and synthetic, which interact with androgen receptors to increase muscle and bone synthesis. In popular use, the term "steroids" often refers to anabolic steroids.