Prehormone

A prehormone is a biochemical substance secreted by glandular tissue and has minimal or no significant biological activity, but it is converted in peripheral tissues into an active hormone. Calcifediol is an example of a prehormone which is produced by hydroxylation of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) in the liver.[1] Another example is adrenal androgens like dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione, which can be converted into testosterone and dihydrotestosterone.[2]

  1. ^ Dabek, Jan T. (1997-01-01), Bittar, E. Edward; Bittar, Neville (eds.), "Chapter 47 The prehormone vitamin D", Principles of Medical Biology, Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, vol. 8, Elsevier, pp. 933–949, doi:10.1016/s1569-2582(97)80108-0, ISBN 9781559388139, retrieved 2022-09-16
  2. ^ Labrie F (2010). "DHEA, Important Source of Sex Steroids in Men and Even More in Women". Neuroendocrinology - Pathological Situations and Diseases. Progress in Brain Research. Vol. 182. pp. 97–148. doi:10.1016/S0079-6123(10)82004-7. ISBN 9780444536167. PMID 20541662. {{cite book}}: |journal= ignored (help)