- Dihydrotestosterone is a sex steroid/androgen hormone.
- Dihydrotestosterone is a hormone that stimulates the development of male characteristics
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) has various functions. Besides being linked to hair production, it is linked to benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate) and prostate cancer too.
Androgens are responsible for the biological characteristics of males, such as:
- a deeper voice,
- body hair, and
- increased muscle mass.
During fetal development, dihydrotestosterone plays a vital role in the development of the penis and prostate gland.
It is made through conversion of the more commonly known androgen, testosterone. Almost 10% of the testosterone produced by an adult each day is converted to dihydrotestosterone, by the testes and prostate (in men), the ovaries (in women), the skin and other parts of the body.
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DHT is more powerful than testosterone. It attaches to the same sites as testosterone, but more easily. Once there, it remains bound for longer.
References:
- https://www.bmj.com/content/310/6990/1289
- https://www.jci.org/articles/view/106650/version/1/pdf/render
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