Definition
A delta-4 C19 steroid that is produced not only in the TESTIS, but also in the OVARY and the ADRENAL CORTEX. Depending on the tissue type, androstenedione can serve as a precursor to TESTOSTERONE as well as ESTRONE and ESTRADIOL.
A delta-4 19-carbon steroid that is produced not only in the testis, but also in the ovary and the adrenal cortex. Depending on the tissue type, androstenedione can serve as a precursor to testosterone as well as estrone and estradiol. It is the common precursor of male and female sex hormones. Some androstenedione is also secreted into the plasma, and may be converted in peripheral tissues to testosterone and estrogens. Androstenedione originates either from the conversion of dehydroepiandrosterone or from 17-hydroxyprogesterone. It is further converted to either testosterone or estrone. The production of adrenal androstenedione is governed by ACTH, while production of gonadal androstenedione is under control by gonadotropins. [HMDB]
Description
Androstenedione is a delta-4 19-carbon steroid that is produced not only in the testis, but also in the ovary and the adrenal cortex. Depending on the tissue type, androstenedione can serve as a precursor to testosterone as well as estrone and estradiol. It is the common precursor of male and female sex hormones. Some androstenedione is also secreted into the plasma, and may be converted in peripheral tissues to testosterone and estrogens. Androstenedione originates either from the conversion of dehydroepiandrosterone or from 17-hydroxyprogesterone. It is further converted to either testosterone or estrone. The production of adrenal androstenedione is governed by ACTH, while production of gonadal androstenedione is under control by gonadotropins.
Top Gene Interactions
Related Pathways
General Information
- Metabolism: Androstenedione originates either from the conversion of dehydroepiandrosterone or from 17-hydroxyprogesterone. It is further converted to either testosterone or estrone. The production of adrenal androstenedione is governed by ACTH, while production of gonadal androstenedione is under control by gonadotropins. In males, conversion of androstenedione to testosterone requires the enzyme 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. In females, conversion of androstenedione to estrogen (e.g., estrone and estradiol) requires the enzyme aromatase.
- Health Effects: Androstenedione was legally defined as an anabolic steroid by the FDA in 2004. It poses significant health risks commonly associated with steroids. The side effects for men include breast development, behavioral changes, heart disease, and more. Side effects for women are similar to the side effects from anabolic steroids in that their voices will deepen and they may grow facial hair since both occur from an increase level of testosterone. Another side effect of androstenedione is male pattern baldness. The main psychological side effect of androstenedione is depression. Mood swings are also common. Chronically high levels of androstenedione are associated with male pseudohermaphrodism with gynecomastia, Adrenal Hyperplasia Type 3 and Aromatase deficiency.
- Symptoms: Breast development (in men), behavioral changes, heart disease, male pattern baldness and depression. Side effects for women include a deepening and they may grow facial hair. In children or fetuses high levels of androstenedione (CAH) can lead to a number of changes. Females with congenital adrenal hyperplasia are born with an enlarged clitoris and normal internal reproductive tract structures. Males have normal genitals at birth. CAH causes abnormal growth for both sexes; patients will be tall as children and short as adults. Females develop male characteristics, and males experience premature sexual development.
- Route of Exposure: Endogenous, ingestion
Mechanism of Action
Target Name | Mechanism of Action | References |
---|---|---|
Estrogen receptor Androgen receptor Progesterone receptor Cytochrome P450 19A1 Sex hormone-binding globulin Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3 Cytochrome P450 2C19 Oxysterols receptor LXR-beta Estradiol 17-beta-dehydrogenase 1 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Delta 5-->4-isomerase type 1 Testosterone 17-beta-dehydrogenase 3 |
17804755 23611293 18330978 16078844 17139284 11806715 17016423 11086723 15336702 2945972 23562765 12730620 |
Androstenedione Interacts with Diseases
Disease | Inference Score | References/Inference Genes |
Prostatic Neoplasms | 53.75 |
|
Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental | 28.21 |
|
Infertility, Female | 23.97 |
|
Breast carcinoma | 23.17 |
|
Endometriosis | 22.66 |
|
Polycystic ovary syndrome | 19.12 |
|
Hypogonadism | 18.0 |
|
Male infertility | 16.22 |
|
Obesity | 16.12 |
|
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 | 14.96 |
|
Atherosclerosis | 13.85 |
|
Hypertension | 13.75 |
|
Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental | 13.73 |
|
Hypospadias 1, X-Linked | 13.66 |
|
Lipoid congenital adrenal hyperplasia | 13.43 |
|
Endometrial neoplasm | 13.32 |
|
Amenorrhea | 12.82 |
|
Diabetic Cardiomyopathies | 12.76 |
|
46, XY Disorders of Sex Development | 12.74 |
|
Adenocarcinoma | 12.5 |
|