Pregnenolone

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Pregnenolone

Pregnenolone (pronounced preɡˈnɛnəˌloʊn) is a parent compound for all steroid hormones in the body. It is also known as P5 or Δ5-pregnenolone.

Etymology

The term "Pregnenolone" is derived from the word "pregnancy", as it is a precursor to the progesterone hormone, which plays a crucial role in pregnancy. The suffix "-olone" is commonly used in the nomenclature of steroids.

Function

Pregnenolone is a steroid hormone that is synthesized from cholesterol. It serves as a precursor for the production of all other steroid hormones, including progesterone, cortisol, aldosterone, estrogen, and testosterone. It is primarily produced in the adrenal glands, but also in the liver, brain, and skin.

Related Terms

  • Steroid: A type of organic compound that includes many kinds of hormones, alkaloids, and vitamins.
  • Cholesterol: A type of lipid molecule that is biosynthesized by all animal cells.
  • Progesterone: A steroid hormone involved in the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and embryogenesis.
  • Cortisol: A steroid hormone that regulates a wide range of processes throughout the body, including metabolism and the immune response.
  • Aldosterone: A hormone that plays a central role in the regulation of blood pressure.
  • Estrogen: A category of sex hormones responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics.
  • Testosterone: The primary sex hormone and anabolic steroid in males.

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