The nervous system, in addition to be a target for steroid hormones, is the source of a variety of neuroactive steroids, which are synthesized and metabolized by neurons and glial cells. Recent evidence indicates that the expression of neurosteroidogenic proteins and enzymes and the levels of neuroactive steroids are different in the nervous system of males and females. We here summarized the state of the art of neuroactive steroids, particularly taking in consideration sex differences occurring in the synthesis and levels of these molecules. In addition, we discuss the consequences of sex differences in neurosteroidogenesis for the function of the nervous system under healthy and pathological conditions and the implications of neuroactive steroids and neurosteroidogenesis for the development of sex-specific therapeutic interventions.

中文翻译：

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神经系统中类固醇水平和类固醇生成的性别差异：生理病理学作用

神经系统除了是类固醇激素的靶点外，还是多种神经活性类固醇的来源，这些类固醇由神经元和神经胶质细胞合成和代谢。最近的证据表明，在男性和女性的神经系统中，神经类固醇生成蛋白和酶的表达以及神经活性类固醇的水平是不同的。我们在这里总结了神经活性类固醇的最新技术，特别是考虑到这些分子的合成和水平中出现的性别差异。此外，我们讨论了神经类固醇生成的性别差异对健康和病理条件下神经系统功能的影响，以及神经活性类固醇和神经类固醇生成对开发性别特异性治疗干预的影响。