5α-Androst-2-en-17-one is an endogenous, naturally occurring, orally active anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) and a derivative of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It is a metabolite of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in the body[1][2] and is also a pheromone found in elephants and boars.[3] 5α-Androst-2-en-17-one has been sold on the Internet as a "dietary supplement". It resembles desoxymethyltestosterone (17α-methyl-5α-androst-2-en-17β-ol) in chemical structure and may act as an androgen prohormone.

References

  1. ^ Callies F, Arlt W, Siekmann L, Hübler D, Bidlingmaier F, Allolio B (February 2000). "Influence of oral dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on urinary steroid metabolites in males and females". Steroids. 65 (2): 98–102. doi:10.1016/S0039-128X(99)00090-2. PMID 10639021. S2CID 2630118.
  2. ^ Gower DB, Mallet AI, Watkins WJ, Wallace LM (February 1997). "Transformations of steroid sulphates by human axillary bacteria. A mechanism for human odour formation?". Biochemical Society Transactions. 25 (1): 16S. doi:10.1042/bst025016s. PMID 9056914.
  3. ^ Marchlewska-Koj A, Lepri JJ, Müller-Schwarze D (2001). Chemical signals in vertebrates 9. Vol. 9. Springer. p. 131. ISBN 978-0-306-46682-3.