DHEA ELISA Kit

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA, androstenolone, 3b-hydroxy-5-androsten-17-one) is a C19 steroid produced in the adrenal cortex and, to a lesser extent, gonads. DHEA serves as a precursor in testosterone and estrogen synthesis. Due to the presence of a 17-oxo (rather than hydroxyl) group, DHEA has relatively weak androgenic activity, which has been estimated at ~10% that of testosterone. However in neonates, peripubertal children and in adult women, circulating DHEA levels may be several-fold higher than testosterone concentrations, and rapid peripheral tissue conversion to more potent androgens (androstenedione and testosterone) and estrogens may occur. Moreover, DHEA has relatively low affinity for sex-hormone binding globulin. These factors may enhance the physiologic biopotency of DHEA.