dihydrotestosteroniin

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a potent androgen hormone derived from testosterone. It is primarily produced in peripheral tissues through the action of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which converts testosterone into DHT. While testosterone is synthesized in the gonads, DHT is formed in organs such as the prostate gland, hair follicles, and adrenal glands. DHT is considered a more powerful androgen than testosterone, meaning it binds more strongly to androgen receptors. This heightened activity is significant for the development and maintenance of male secondary sexual characteristics. During fetal development, DHT plays a crucial role in the masculinization of external genitalia. In puberty, it contributes to the growth of facial and body hair, deepening of the voice, and the development of the prostate. DHT is also implicated in androgenetic alopecia, commonly known as male-pattern baldness, where its action on hair follicles leads to miniaturization and eventual hair loss. Its presence in the prostate also makes it a factor in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer. Due to its potent effects, drugs that inhibit 5-alpha-reductase, and thus reduce DHT levels, are used in the treatment of BPH and hair loss.