Biomaterial Database

Effect of oral contraceptives on plasma androgenic steroids and their precursors. 1978

M Fern, and D P Rose, and E B Fern

Plasma dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), its sulfate ester (DHEAS), and androstenedione (A2), delta5-pregnenolone (delta5-P), and 17 alpha-hydroxypregnenolone were measured in women using estrogen-containing oral contraceptives and in female controls of similar age. All three androgenic steroids and their two C21 precursors were reduced in the oral contraceptive users compared with the controls. It is concluded that oral contraceptives cause a decrease in plasma DHEA, DHEAS, and A2, one possible mechanism for which is the inhibition of delta5-P synthesis from cholesterol.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D011284	Pregnenolone	A 21-carbon steroid, derived from CHOLESTEROL and found in steroid hormone-producing tissues. Pregnenolone is the precursor to GONADAL STEROID HORMONES and the adrenal CORTICOSTEROIDS.	5-Pregnen-3-beta-ol-20-one,5 Pregnen 3 beta ol 20 one
D003276	Contraceptives, Oral	Compounds, usually hormonal, taken orally in order to block ovulation and prevent the occurrence of pregnancy. The hormones are generally estrogen or progesterone or both.	Low-Dose Oral Contraceptive,Oral Contraceptive,Oral Contraceptives,Oral Contraceptives, Low-Dose,Oral Contraceptives, Phasic,Contraceptive, Low-Dose Oral,Contraceptive, Oral,Contraceptives, Low-Dose Oral,Contraceptives, Phasic Oral,Low Dose Oral Contraceptive,Low-Dose Oral Contraceptives,Oral Contraceptive, Low-Dose,Oral Contraceptives, Low Dose,Phasic Oral Contraceptives
D003280	Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic	Oral contraceptives which owe their effectiveness to synthetic preparations.
D003687	Dehydroepiandrosterone	A major C19 steroid produced by the ADRENAL CORTEX. It is also produced in small quantities in the TESTIS and the OVARY. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) can be converted to TESTOSTERONE; ANDROSTENEDIONE; ESTRADIOL; and ESTRONE. Most of DHEA is sulfated (DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE SULFATE) before secretion.	Dehydroisoandrosterone,Prasterone,5-Androsten-3-beta-hydroxy-17-one,5-Androsten-3-ol-17-one,Androstenolone,DHEA,Prasterone, 3 alpha-Isomer,5 Androsten 3 beta hydroxy 17 one,5 Androsten 3 ol 17 one,Prasterone, 3 alpha Isomer
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006907	17-alpha-Hydroxypregnenolone	A 21-carbon steroid that is converted from PREGNENOLONE by STEROID 17-ALPHA-HYDROXYLASE. It is an intermediate in the delta-5 pathway of biosynthesis of GONADAL STEROID HORMONES and the adrenal CORTICOSTEROIDS.	17 alpha-Hydroxypregnenolone,17-Hydroxypregnenolone,17-Hydroxypregnenolone, (3alpha)-Isomer,17-Hydroxypregnenolone, (3beta,13alpha)-Isomer,17-Hydroxypregnenolone, (3beta,13alpha,17alpha)-Isomer,17-Hydroxypregnenolone, (3beta,17alpha)-Isomer,17alpha-Hydroxypregnenolone,Hydroxypregnenolone,17 Hydroxypregnenolone,17 alpha Hydroxypregnenolone,17alpha Hydroxypregnenolone
D000293	Adolescent	A person 13 to 18 years of age.	Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults
D000735	Androstenedione	A delta-4 C19 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.	4-Androstene-3,17-dione,delta-4-Androstenedione,4 Androstene 3,17 dione,delta 4 Androstenedione