Androstanediol glucuronide explained

3α-Androstanediol glucuronide (3α-ADG) is a metabolite formed from human androgens; compounds involved in the development and maintenance of sexual characteristics. It is formed by the glucuronidation of dihydrotestosterone,^[1] and has been proposed as means of measuring androgenic activity.

In women the adrenal steroids, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone are the major precursors of plasma 3α-ADG, accounting for almost the totality of circulating 3α-ADG. Levels of 3α-ADG decrease significantly with age.^[2]

3α-ADG is used as a marker of target tissue cellular action.^[3] 3α-ADG correlates with level of 5α-reductase activity (testosterone and 3α-androstanediol to dihydrotestosterone) in the skin. Concentrations of 3α-ADG are associated with the level of cutaneous androgen metabolism.

See also

• 3β-Androstanediol
• Androsterone glucuronide
• Etiocholanolone glucuronide

Notes and References

1. Moghissi E, Ablan F, Horton R . Origin of plasma androstanediol glucuronide in men . The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism . 59 . 3 . 417–21 . September 1984 . 6746859 . 10.1210/jcem-59-3-417.
2. Vermeulen A, Giagulli VA . Physiopathology of plasma androstanediol-glucuronide . The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology . 39 . 5B . 829–33 . November 1991 . 1835405. 10.1016/0960-0760(91)90032-z . 46135916 .
3. Labrie . Fernand . Bélanger . Alain . Bélanger . Patrick . Bérubé . René . Martel . Céline . Cusan . Leonello . Gomez . José . Candas . Bernard . Castiel . Isabelle . Chaussade . Véronique . Deloche . Claire . Leclaire . Jacques . June 2006 . Androgen glucuronides, instead of testosterone, as the new markers of androgenic activity in women . The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology . en . 99 . 4–5 . 182–188 . 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2006.02.004. 16621522 . 31765384 .