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A subset of androgens, adrenal androgens, includes any of the 19-carbon steroids synthesized by the adrenal cortex, an adrenal gland, that function as weak steroids or steroid precursors, including dehydroepiandrosteroneDehydroepiandrosterone DHEA is a natural steroid hormone produced from cholesterol by the adrenal glands. Dehydroepiandrosterone is structurally similar to testosterone and estrone and can be easily converted into those hormones. In blood DHEA is found as (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), and androstenedione.

Besides testosterone, other androgens include:

• DehydroepiandrosteroneDehydroepiandrosterone DHEA is a natural steroid hormone produced from cholesterol by the adrenal glands. Dehydroepiandrosterone is structurally similar to testosterone and estrone and can be easily converted into those hormones. In blood DHEA is found as (DHEA): a steroid hormone produced from cholesterolCholesterol is a steroid lipid, found in the cell membranes of all body tissues, and transported in the blood plasma, of all animals. Most cholesterol is produced internally, not dietary in origin. It is present in higher concentrations in tissues which e in the adrenal cortex, which is the primary precursor of natural estrogens. DHEA is also called dehydroisoandrosterone or dehydroandrosterone.

• AndrostenedioneAndrostenedione is a 19- carbon steroid hormone produced in the adrenal glands and the ovaries as an intermediate step in the biochemical pathway that produces the androgen testosterone and the estrogens estrone and estradiol. Some androstenedione is also (Andro): an androgenic steroid, which is produced by the testes, adrenal cortex, and ovaries. While androstenediones are converted metabolically to testosterone and other androgens, they are also the parent structure of estroneEstrone is an estrogenic hormone secreted by the ovary. Estrogens.. Its use as an athletic or body building supplement has been banned by the International Olympic CommitteeAlternative meanings at IOC (disambiguation The International Olympic Committee is an organization created by Pierre de Coubertin in 1894 to reinstate the Ancient Olympic Games held in Greece, and organize this sports event every four years. The IOC recei.

• Androstanediol : the steroid metaboliteA metabolite is the product of metabolism. Metabolites are usually small molecules or protein ligands. The metabolome forms a large network of metabolic reactions, where outputs from one enzymatic chemical reaction are inputs to other chemical reactions. that is thought to act as the main regulator of gonadotropin secretion.

• Androsterone: a chemical by-product created during the breakdown of androgens, or derived from progesterone, that also exerts minor masculinising effects, but with one-seventh the intensity of testosterone. It is found in approximately equal amounts in the plasma and urine of both males and females.

• Androstenolone : an androgenic steroid secreted by the adrenal cortex and testes, which is a major precursor of testosterone, but is even weaker than androsterone.

• Dihydrotestosterone (DHT): a metabolite of testosterone that is actually a more potent androgen in that it binds more strongly to androgen receptors.

Reduced ability of a XY karyotype fetus to respond to androgens can result in one of several problems, including infertility and several forms of intersex conditions. See androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS).

See also: andrology, antiandrogen