Androstanedione, also known as 5α-androstanedione or as 5α-androstane-3,17-dione, is a

naturally occurring A natural product is a natural compound or substance produced by a living organism—that is, found in nature. In the broadest sense, natural products include any substance produced by life. Natural products can also be prepared by chemical ...

androstane (5α-androstane)

steroid A steroid is an organic compound with four fused compound, fused rings (designated A, B, C, and D) arranged in a specific molecular configuration. Steroids have two principal biological functions: as important components of cell membranes t ...

and an endogenous metabolite of

androgen An androgen (from Greek ''andr-'', the stem of the word meaning ) is any natural or synthetic steroid hormone that regulates the development and maintenance of male characteristics in vertebrates by binding to androgen receptors. This includes ...

s like

testosterone Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone and androgen in Male, males. In humans, testosterone plays a key role in the development of Male reproductive system, male reproductive tissues such as testicles and prostate, as well as promoting se ...

, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and androstenedione. It is the C5 epimer of etiocholanedione (5β-androstanedione). Androstanedione is formed from androstenedione by 5α-reductase and from DHT by 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. It has some

ic activity. In female genital skin, the conversion of androstenedione into DHT through 5α-androstanedione appears to be more important than the direct conversion of testosterone into DHT.

References

External links

Androstanedione (HMDB0000899) - Human Metabolome Database
5α-Reduced steroid metabolites Anabolic–androgenic steroids Androstanes Diketones Steroid hormones {{Biochemistry-stub