| Androstanediol glucuronide (3alpha-diol G) is the glucuronide conjugate of 3alpha-androstanediol, a major metabolite of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) [1,2]. 3alpha-diol G has strong androgenic activity estimated at 75% of the bioactivity of testosterone [2]. Serum 3alpha-diol G is the product of intracellular reduction of DHT, and in addition, a significant proportion of serum 3alpha-diol G is derived from DHEA-Sulfate and androstenedione.
Elevated levels of serum 3alpha-diol G have been reported in congenital adrenal hyperplasia [3,4] and in various forms of female hirsutism [1,5,6], e.g. idiopathic hirsutism and polycystic ovary disease. Serum 3alpha-diol G may be elevated in the presence of normal levels of other circulating androgens [1,5,6]. Therefore, measurement of serum 3alpha-diol G levels may be useful in the clinical evaluation and management of hirsutism and other conditions with excessive adrenal androgen production.
References
1. Rittmaster RS. Endocrin Rev 14:121-132, 1993.
2. Dorfman RI & Shipley RA. Androgens. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 1956, pp.116-128.
3. Reiner BJ, et al. J Clin Endocrinol and Metab 69:105-109, 1989.
4. Pang S, et al. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 73:166-174, 1991.
5. Horton R & Lobo RA. Clin Endocrinol Metab 15:293-306, 1986.
6. Pang S & Riddick L: Hirsutism. IN Lifshitz F: Pediatric Endocrinology, A Clinical Guide, second edition. Marcel Dekker, New York, 1990, pp. 259-291.
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