dehydroepiandrosterone

noun

de·​hy·​dro·​epi·​an·​dros·​ter·​one (ˌ)dē-ˌhī-drō-ˌe-pē-an-ˈdrä-stə-ˌrōn How to pronounce dehydroepiandrosterone (audio)
: a weakly androgenic ketosteroid C19H28O2 secreted by the adrenal glands that is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of testosterone and estrogens (such as estradiol)
also : a synthetic derivative of this compound
abbreviation DHEA

Examples of dehydroepiandrosterone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web It is derived from the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone and works to maintain natural hormone balance. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 18 Mar. 2023 In an important early discovery that had eluded many scientists, Dr. Baulieu determined how to detect a hormone, dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, which helps produce estrogen and testosterone and can signal diseases like adrenal cancer. Pam Belluck, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2023 This is because boron is believed to help convert dehydroepiandrosterone in the body into testosterone. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 15 Dec. 2022 In all of the animals involved in the experiment, the ratio of dehydroepiandrosterone to corticosterone increased with training. Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, 26 Oct. 2019 The researchers also collected each rat's droppings at various points during the study to analyze them for metabolites of corticosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone, a pair of hormones. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 1 Nov. 2019 The researchers analyzed the animals’ feces to measure corticosterone, a stress hormone, and dehydroepiandrosterone, which is secreted in response to stress and, in humans, has been shown to improve moods. Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, 26 Oct. 2019 The rat-poop tests showed increased dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), the hormone that thwarts stress. Lateshia Beachum, Anchorage Daily News, 25 Oct. 2019 The researchers analyzed the rats' feces, which showed that the rats receiving driving lessons had higher levels of dehydroepiandrosterone, indicating that learning a new skill was acting as a stress reliever for the rodents. Daisy Hernandez, Popular Mechanics, 24 Oct. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dehydroepiandrosterone.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary de- + hydr- + epi- + androsterone

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dehydroepiandrosterone was in 1961

Dictionary Entries Near dehydroepiandrosterone

Cite this Entry

“Dehydroepiandrosterone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dehydroepiandrosterone. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

dehydroepiandrosterone

noun
de·​hy·​dro·​epi·​an·​dros·​ter·​one (ˌ)dē-ˌhī-drō-ˌep-ē-an-ˈdräs-tə-ˌrōn How to pronounce dehydroepiandrosterone (audio)
: an androgenic ketosteroid C19H28O2 secreted by the adrenal cortex that is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of testosterone
abbreviation DHA, DHEA
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!