4-Androstenedione Raw Steroid Powders for Treatment of Anorchia Replacement Therapy

4-Androstenedione Raw Steroid Powders for Treatment of Anorchia Replacement Therapy

Systematic (IUPAC) name:

Δ⁴-Androstenedione (abbreviated as Δ⁴-dione), commonly referred to simply as androstenedione, and also known as androst-4-ene-3,17-dione or 17-ketotestosterone, is an endogenous androgen steroid hormone and intermediate in the biosynthesis of testosterone from dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). In turn, Δ⁴-dione is also a precursor of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), estrogens such as estradiol and estrone, and the neurosteroid 3α-androstanediol.

Biological role

Precursor/metabolic intermediate

Δ⁴-Dione is converted to either testosterone or estrogen.

In males, conversion of Δ⁴-dione to testosterone requires the enzyme 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

In females, Δ⁴-dione is released into the blood by theca cells. Conversion of Δ⁴-dione to estrogen (e.g., estrone and estradiol) requires the enzyme aromatase. Δ⁴-Dione is a substrate for estrogen production in granulosa cells which produce aromatase. Thus, theca cells and granulosa cells work together to form estrogens.

Levels are normally 30-200 ng/dL (1.0-7.0 nmol/l) in females and 40-150 ng/dL (1.4-5.2 nmol/l) in males.

Androstanedione is a 5α-reduced metabolite of 4-androstenedione which serves as an intermediate in the biosynthesis of the androgen and neurosteroid androsterone.

Estrogen

Δ⁴-Dione has been found to possess estrogenic actions, similarly to other DHEA metabolites. However, in contrast to 5-androstenediol, its affinity for the estrogen receptors is very low, with less than 0.01% of the affinity of estradiol for both the ERα and ERβ.

Experimental Properties