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The adrenal cortex is the outer region and also the largest part of the adrenal gland. ... Androstenedione (Andro): an androgenic steroid produced by the testes, ...
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a steroid hormone produced in the adrenal cortex from cholesterol. [5] It is the primary precursor of both the androgen and estrogen sex hormones. DHEA is also called dehydroisoandrosterone or dehydroandrosterone. Androstenedione (A4) is an androgenic steroid produced by the testes, adrenal cortex, and ovaries.
The adrenal cortex is the outermost layer of the adrenal gland. Within the cortex are three layers, called "zones". When viewed under a microscope each layer has a distinct appearance, and each has a different function. [13] The adrenal cortex is devoted to production of hormones, namely aldosterone, cortisol, and androgens. [14]
Cells in the zona reticularis produce precursor androgens including dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione from cholesterol. [2] DHEA is further converted to DHEA-sulfate via a sulfotransferase, SULT2A1. [3] These precursors are not further converted in the adrenal cortex if the cells lack 17β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.
DHEA and other adrenal androgens such as androstenedione, although relatively weak androgens, are responsible for the androgenic effects of adrenarche, such as early pubic and axillary hair growth, adult-type body odor, increased oiliness of hair and skin, and mild acne.
Androstenedione, or 4-androstenedione (abbreviated as A4 or Δ 4-dione), also known as androst-4-ene-3,17-dione, is an endogenous weak androgen steroid hormone and intermediate in the biosynthesis of estrone and of testosterone from dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).
Adrenal steroids are steroids that are derived from the adrenal glands.They include corticosteroids, which consist of glucocorticoids like cortisol and mineralocorticoids like aldosterone, adrenal androgens like dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA sulfate (DHEA-S), and androstenedione (A4), and neurosteroids like DHEA and DHEA-S, as well as pregnenolone and pregnenolone sulfate (P5-S).
During adrenarche the adrenal glands secrete increased levels of weak adrenal androgens, including dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), and androstenedione (A4), but without increased cortisol levels. Adrenarche is the result of the development of a new zone of the adrenal cortex, the zona reticularis. [3]