Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 15, 2026

Prehormone

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. Another example is adrenal androgens like dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione, which can be converted into testosterone and dihydrotestosterone.

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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

See also

See also

References

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, vol. 8, Elsevier, pp. 933–949, doi:10.1016/s1569-2582(97)80108-0, ISBN 9781559388139, retrieved 2022-09-16{{citation}}: CS1 maint: work parameter with ISBN (link)
  2. Labrie F (2010). "DHEA, Important Source of Sex Steroids in Men and Even More in Women". Neuroendocrinology - Pathological Situations and Diseases. Progress in Brain Research. Vol. 182. pp. 97–148. doi:10.1016/S0079-6123(10)82004-7. ISBN 9780444536167. PMID 20541662. {{cite book}}: |journal= ignored (help)