Prehormone

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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]

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References

  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, Elsevier, vol. 8, 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. Prog Brain Res. Progress in Brain Research. Vol. 182. pp. 97–148. doi:10.1016/S0079-6123(10)82004-7. ISBN   9780444536167. PMID   20541662.