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| Other names | 20,25-Diazacholesterol; 20,25-Azacholesterol; Azasterol; Diazasterol; SC-12937; DAC; IMD-760; 17β-(3-(Dimethylamino)propyl)methyl- amino)androst-5-en-3β-ol | 
| Routes of administration | By mouth | 
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| Formula | C25H44N2O | 
| Molar mass | 388.640 g·mol−1 | 
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Azacosterol (INN ), or azacosterol hydrochloride (USAN ) (brand name Ornitrol), also called 20,25-diazacholesterol, is a cholesterol-lowering drug (hypocholesteremic), which was marketed previously, but has since been discontinued. [1] [2] [3] It is also an avian chemosterilant used to control pest pigeon populations via inducing sterility. [4] The drug is a sterol and derivative of cholesterol in which two carbon atoms have been replaced with nitrogen atoms. [5]
Azacosterol acts as an inhibitor of 24-dehydrocholesterol reductase (24-DHCR), preventing the formation of cholesterol from desmosterol. [4] [6] Although it primarily acts to inhibit 24-DHCR, the drug also inhibits other steps in cholesterol biosynthesis. [6] The antifertility effects of the drug in birds are mediated by inhibition of steroid hormone production, steroid hormones being synthesized from cholesterol. [4] Due to prevention of the metabolism of desmosterol, the drug causes it to accumulate, in turn producing side effects such as hyperkeratosis, particularly of the palms and soles. [6]