What is dihydrotestosterone?

dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a hormone naturally produced by the human body. It is a metabolite of testosterone, which is converted into dihydrotestosterone enzyme 5-alpha-reductase and has a chemical formula C 30 o _{2 . It is androgen, which means it is one of the hormones responsible for physical development and sexual differentiation of men. DHT links to androgen receptors more efficiently than testosterone or other natural androgens, making it a very important member of this group that is essential for the normal sexual development of men. Most dihydrotestosterone production occurs in prostate, testicles, adrenal glands and hair follicles. The body of the male fetus begins to produce a large number of androgens, including DHT, about two months to pregnancy. These hormones control fetal development and cause penis and scrotum growth, as well as the internal structure such as VAS deferens. Male fetus that does not produce or notagobic dihydrotestosterone at normal levels, usuallyIt does not have to develop, which would result in various disorders of sexual development.}

A condition that prevents the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, called 5-alpha-reductase, causes a child to be born with ambiguous genitals that may include both male and female organs. Androgenic syndrome of insensitivity, which is caused by partial or complete inability to metabolize male sex hormones, can also lead to ambiguous genitals. A genetically male child with a complete syndrome of insensitivity to androgen can be born with what appears to be typical female genitals, although the uterine and internal reproductive organs are missing. The unusually high level of DHT in a female fetus can also lead to the development of ambiguous genitalia.

Increasing the dihydrotestoshladins Rone are also important for the sexual development of men in puberty, which supports the further development of sexual organs. Is also responsible for many mSour secondary sexual characteristics such as increased amounts of face and body hair and voice deepening. The only main male secondary sexual sexual feature in which DHT does not play an important role is the growth of skeletal muscles, where 5-alpha-reductase is missing. DHT also disrupts the production and effects of hormonal estrogen, thus discouraging the development of female properties.

treatment affecting dihydrotestosterone levels are used in medicine. The damaging effects of the high levels of DHT on hair follicles are the main cause of the male pattern baldness and excess DHT can also cause prostate increase and lead to the development of prostate cancer. Drug finasteride, used in the treatment of enlarged prostate and male pattern, works by inhibiting 5-alpha reductase and there by DHT synthesis.