SynCED: Androstenedione

Record Information

Version

1.0

Creation Date

2014-08-29 05:59:33 UTC

Update Date

2026-05-14 17:07:27 UTC

Accession Number

CHEM003200

Identification

Common Name

Androstenedione

Class

Small Molecule

Description

Androstenedione is a delta-4 19-carbon steroid that is produced not only in the testis, but also in the ovary and the adrenal cortex. Depending on the tissue type, androstenedione can serve as a precursor to testosterone as well as estrone and estradiol. It is the common precursor of male and female sex hormones. Some androstenedione is also secreted into the plasma, and may be converted in peripheral tissues to testosterone and estrogens. Androstenedione originates either from the conversion of dehydroepiandrosterone or from 17-hydroxyprogesterone. It is further converted to either testosterone or estrone. The production of adrenal androstenedione is governed by ACTH, while production of gonadal androstenedione is under control by gonadotropins.

Contaminant Sources

FooDB Chemicals
HMDB Contaminants - Urine
STOFF IDENT Compounds
T3DB toxins
ToxCast & Tox21 Chemicals

Contaminant Type

Animal Toxin
Ester
Food Toxin
Industrial/Workplace Toxin
Metabolite
Natural Compound
Organic Compound

Chemical Structure

MOL SDF PDB SMILES InChI

Synonyms

Value	Source
4-Androstene-3,17-dione	ChEBI
4-ANDROSTENE-3-17-dione	ChEBI
delta(4)-Androsten-3,17-dione	ChEBI
delta(4)-Androstene-3,17-dione	ChEBI
Δ(4)-Androsten-3,17-dione	Generator
Δ(4)-Androstene-3,17-dione	Generator
(4)-Androsten-3,17-dione	HMDB
17-Ketotestosterone	HMDB
3,17-Dioxoandrost-4-ene	HMDB
4-Androsten-3,17-dione	HMDB
4-Androstenedione	HMDB
Androst-4-ene-3,17-dione	HMDB, KEGG
Androstendione	HMDB
D4-Androstene-3,17-dione	HMDB
delta4-Androstenedione	HMDB
Fecundin	HMDB
delta 4 Androstenedione	MeSH, HMDB
delta-4-Androstenedione	MeSH, HMDB
4 Androstene 3,17 dione	MeSH, HMDB
Androstenedione	HMDB
delta4-Androstene-3,17-dione	HMDB
Δ4-Androstene-3,17-dione	HMDB

Chemical Formula

C₁₉H₂₆O₂

Average Molecular Mass

286.409 g/mol

Monoisotopic Mass

286.193 g/mol

CAS Registry Number

63-05-8

IUPAC Name

(1S,2R,10R,11S,15S)-2,15-dimethyltetracyclo[8.7.0.0^{2,7}.0^{11,15}]heptadec-6-ene-5,14-dione

Traditional Name

(1S,2R,10R,11S,15S)-2,15-dimethyltetracyclo[8.7.0.0^{2,7}.0^{11,15}]heptadec-6-ene-5,14-dione

SMILES

[H][C@@]12CCC(=O)[C@@]1(C)CC[C@@]1([H])[C@@]2([H])CCC2=CC(=O)CC[C@]12C

InChI Identifier

InChI=1S/C19H26O2/c1-18-9-7-13(20)11-12(18)3-4-14-15-5-6-17(21)19(15,2)10-8-16(14)18/h11,14-16H,3-10H2,1-2H3/t14-,15-,16-,18-,19-/m0/s1

InChI Key

AEMFNILZOJDQLW-QAGGRKNESA-N

Chemical Taxonomy

Description

Belongs to the class of organic compounds known as androgens and derivatives. These are 3-hydroxylated C19 steroid hormones. They are known to favor the development of masculine characteristics. They also show profound effects on scalp and body hair in humans.

Kingdom

Organic compounds

Super Class

Lipids and lipid-like molecules

Class

Steroids and steroid derivatives

Sub Class

Androstane steroids

Direct Parent

Androgens and derivatives

Alternative Parents

Substituents

Androgen-skeleton
Oxosteroid
17-oxosteroid
3-oxosteroid
3-oxo-delta-4-steroid
Delta-4-steroid
Cyclohexenone
Cyclic ketone
Ketone
Organic oxygen compound
Organic oxide
Hydrocarbon derivative
Organooxygen compound
Carbonyl group
Aliphatic homopolycyclic compound

Molecular Framework

Aliphatic homopolycyclic compounds

External Descriptors

3-oxo Delta(4)-steroid (CHEBI:16422 )
17-oxo steroid (CHEBI:16422 )
androstanoid (CHEBI:16422 )
androstane (C00280 )
C19 steroids (androgens) and derivatives (C00280 )
Androstane and derivatives (C00280 )
Androgens (C00280 )
C19 steroids (androgens) and derivatives (LMST02020007 )

Biological Properties

Status

Detected and Not Quantified

Origin

Endogenous

Cellular Locations

Cytoplasm
Endoplasmic reticulum
Extracellular
Membrane

Biofluid Locations

Not Available

Tissue Locations

Adipose Tissue
Adrenal Cortex
Adrenal Gland
Fibroblasts
Gonads
Kidney
Liver
Muscle
Placenta
Prostate
Skin
Testes

Pathways

Name	SMPDB Link	KEGG Link
Androgen and Estrogen Metabolism	SMP00068	map00150
17-Beta Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase III Deficiency	SMP00356	Not Available
Adrenal Hyperplasia Type 3 or Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase Deficiency	SMP00373	Not Available
Aromatase deficiency	SMP00565	Not Available

Applications

Not Available

Biological Roles

Chemical Roles

Not Available

Physical Properties

State

Solid

Appearance

White powder.

Experimental Properties

Property	Value
Melting Point	170 - 173°C
Boiling Point	Not Available
Solubility	0.0578 mg/mL

Predicted Properties

Property	Value	Source
Water Solubility	0.027 g/L	ALOGPS
logP	2.93	ALOGPS
logP	3.93	ChemAxon
logS	-4	ALOGPS
pKa (Strongest Acidic)	19.03	ChemAxon
pKa (Strongest Basic)	-4.8	ChemAxon
Physiological Charge	0	ChemAxon
Hydrogen Acceptor Count	2	ChemAxon
Hydrogen Donor Count	0	ChemAxon
Polar Surface Area	34.14 Å²	ChemAxon
Rotatable Bond Count	0	ChemAxon
Refractivity	83.61 m³·mol⁻¹	ChemAxon
Polarizability	33.21 Å³	ChemAxon
Number of Rings	4	ChemAxon
Bioavailability	Yes	ChemAxon
Rule of Five	Yes	ChemAxon
Ghose Filter	Yes	ChemAxon
Veber's Rule	Yes	ChemAxon
MDDR-like Rule	No	ChemAxon

Spectra

Toxicity Profile

Route of Exposure

Endogenous, ingestion

Mechanism of Toxicity

Androstenedione is converted to testosterone and estrogen, and when taken in sufficient quantities androstenedione can cause unwanted masculinizing and feminizing effects. Androstenedione is considered an androgenic steroid precursor because testosterone is an androgen or male hormone. In males, conversion of androstenedione to testosterone requires the enzyme 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. In females, conversion of androstenedione to estrogen (e.g., estrone and estradiol) requires the enzyme aromatase.

Metabolism

Androstenedione originates either from the conversion of dehydroepiandrosterone or from 17-hydroxyprogesterone. It is further converted to either testosterone or estrone. The production of adrenal androstenedione is governed by ACTH, while production of gonadal androstenedione is under control by gonadotropins. In males, conversion of androstenedione to testosterone requires the enzyme 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. In females, conversion of androstenedione to estrogen (e.g., estrone and estradiol) requires the enzyme aromatase.

Toxicity Values

Not Available

Lethal Dose

Not Available

Carcinogenicity (IARC Classification)

No indication of carcinogenicity to humans (not listed by IARC).

Uses/Sources

Not Available

Minimum Risk Level

Not Available

Health Effects

Androstenedione was legally defined as an anabolic steroid by the FDA in 2004. It poses significant health risks commonly associated with steroids. The side effects for men include breast development, behavioral changes, heart disease, and more. Side effects for women are similar to the side effects from anabolic steroids in that their voices will deepen and they may grow facial hair since both occur from an increase level of testosterone. Another side effect of androstenedione is male pattern baldness. The main psychological side effect of androstenedione is depression. Mood swings are also common. Chronically high levels of androstenedione are associated with male pseudohermaphrodism with gynecomastia, Adrenal Hyperplasia Type 3 and Aromatase deficiency.

Symptoms

Breast development (in men), behavioral changes, heart disease, male pattern baldness and depression. Side effects for women include a deepening and they may grow facial hair. In children or fetuses high levels of androstenedione (CAH) can lead to a number of changes. Females with congenital adrenal hyperplasia are born with an enlarged clitoris and normal internal reproductive tract structures. Males have normal genitals at birth. CAH causes abnormal growth for both sexes; patients will be tall as children and short as adults. Females develop male characteristics, and males experience premature sexual development.

Treatment

Not Available

Concentrations

Not Available

External Links

DrugBank ID

DB01536

HMDB ID

HMDB0000053

FooDB ID

FDB030678

Phenol Explorer ID

Not Available

KNApSAcK ID

BiGG ID

BioCyc ID

METLIN ID

PDB ID

Not Available

Wikipedia Link

Chemspider ID

ChEBI ID

PubChem Compound ID

Kegg Compound ID

YMDB ID

Not Available

ECMDB ID

M2MDB005064

References

Synthesis Reference

Angela M. H. Brodie, Harry J. Brodie, David A. Marsh, “Ester derivatives of 4-hydroxy-4-androstene-3,17-dione and a method for inhibiting estrogen biosynthesis.” U.S. Patent US4235893, issued October, 1962.

MSDS

Not Available

General References

1. Egorova, Olga V.; Gulevskaya, Seraphima A.; Puntus, Irina F.; Filonov, Andrey E.; Donova, Marina V. Production of androstenedione using mutants of Mycobacterium sp. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology (2002), 77(2), 141-147.

2. Courant F, Antignac JP, Maume D, Monteau F, Andre F, Le Bizec B: Determination of naturally occurring oestrogens and androgens in retail samples of milk and eggs. Food Addit Contam. 2007 Dec;24(12):1358-66. doi: 10.1080/02652030701329637.

3. Courant F, Antignac JP, Laille J, Monteau F, Andre F, Le Bizec B: Exposure assessment of prepubertal children to steroid endocrine disruptors. 2. Determination of steroid hormones in milk, egg, and meat samples. J Agric Food Chem. 2008 May 14;56(9):3176-84. doi: 10.1021/jf800096f. Epub 2008 Apr 16.

4. Egorova, Olga V.; Gulevskaya, Seraphima A.; Puntus, Irina F.; Filonov, Andrey E.; Donova, Marina V. Production of androstenedione using mutants of Mycobacterium sp. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology (2002), 77(2), 141-147.

5. Berkovitz GD, Guerami A, Brown TR, MacDonald PC, Migeon CJ: Familial gynecomastia with increased extraglandular aromatization of plasma carbon19-steroids. J Clin Invest. 1985 Jun;75(6):1763-9.

6. Cutolo M, Sulli A, Capellino S, Villaggio B, Montagna P, Pizzorni C, Paolino S, Seriolo B, Felli L, Straub RH: Anti-TNF and sex hormones. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2006 Jun;1069:391-400.

7. Schwarz S, Pohl P: Steroid hormones and steroid hormone binding globulins in cerebrospinal fluid studied in individuals with intact and with disturbed blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier. Neuroendocrinology. 1992 Feb;55(2):174-82.

8. van Vloten WA, van Haselen CW, van Zuuren EJ, Gerlinger C, Heithecker R: The effect of 2 combined oral Contraceptives containing either drospirenone or cyproterone acetate on acne and seborrhea. Cutis. 2002 Apr;69(4 Suppl):2-15.

9. Jasuja R, Ramaraj P, Mac RP, Singh AB, Storer TW, Artaza J, Miller A, Singh R, Taylor WE, Lee ML, Davidson T, Sinha-Hikim I, Gonzalez-Cadavid N, Bhasin S: Delta-4-androstene-3,17-dione binds androgen receptor, promotes myogenesis in vitro, and increases serum testosterone levels, fat-free mass, and muscle strength in hypogonadal men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2005 Feb;90(2):855-63. Epub 2004 Nov 2.