title: Adrenal androgens and androgen precursors-definition, synthesis, regulation and physiologic actions.
abstract: The human adrenal produces more 19 carbon (C19) steroids, by mass, than either glucocorticoids or mineralocorticoids. However, the mechanisms regulating adrenal C19 steroid biosynthesis continue to represent one of the most intriguing mysteries of endocrine physiology. This review will discuss the C19 steroids synthesized by the human adrenal and the features within the adrenal that allow production of these steroids. Finally, we consider the effects of these steroids in normal physiology and disorders of adrenal C19 steroid excess.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Texas; Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Adina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Turcu
authors.forename: Joshua M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Auchus
authors.forename: William E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Rainey
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D000728:Androgens / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D000731:Androstanes / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D000731:Androstanes