Steroid hormones regulate programmed cell death: a review.

Programmed cell death (PCD) is a physiologically active process which is essential for the proper functioning of any living tissue. The steroid hormones modulate the programme in the immunological and reproductive organs and tissues, such as the thymus gland, circulating thymocytes, uterus, vagina, testis, ovary and prostrate gland. The influence of steroid hormones on cell death is tissue specific; the same hormone can inhibit PCD in one tissue, and may promote PCD in another tissue. The roles of apoptosis and terminal differentiation have been examined, and the regulation of PCD by steroid hormones, assessed.