dehydroepiandrosterone

noun

de·​hy·​dro·​epi·​an·​dros·​ter·​one (ˌ)dē-ˌhī-drō-ˌe-pē-an-ˈdrä-stə-ˌrōn 

: 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

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

dehydroepiandrosterone

noun

de·​hy·​dro·​epi·​an·​dros·​ter·​one (ˌ)dē-ˌhī-drō-ˌep-ē-an-ˈdräs-tə-ˌrōn 

: an androgenic ketosteroid C₁₉H₂₈O₂ secreted by the adrenal cortex that is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of testosterone

—abbreviation DHA, DHEA