National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute
U.S. National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute
NCI Home Cancer Topics Clinical Trials Cancer Statistics Research & Funding News About NCI
NCI Drug Dictionary
Page Options
Print This Page  Print This Page
Quick Links
Director's Corner
Updates from the Director

Dictionary of Cancer Terms
Cancer-related terms

NCI Drug Dictionary
Definitions, names, and links

Funding Opportunities
Research and training

NCI Publications
Order/download free booklets

Advisory Boards and Groups
Information, meetings, reports

Science Serving People
Learn more about NCI

Español
Información en español
NCI Highlights
Virtual and Standard Colonoscopy Both Accurate

NCI Responds to Hurricanes

The Nation's Investment in Cancer Research FY 2009

Cancer Trends Progress Report: 2007 Update

Past Highlights
You CAN Quit Smoking Now!
Search for
# A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z All

dihydrotestosterone
The most potent androgen, required for sex development. Dihydrotestosterone is synthesized from testosterone in the prostate gland, testes, hair follicles and adrenal glands by 5-alpha reductase. Dihydrotestosterone exerts its action similar to testosterone, which binds to and activates specific nuclear androgen receptors. After translocation into the nucleus, the activated hormone-receptor complex binds to the androgen response elements on the DNA and activates gene expressions that are required for sex development. Dihydrotestosterone is responsible for the formation of male primary sex characteristics and most male secondary sex characteristics during puberty, such as muscular growth, facial and body hair growth, and deepening of the voice. Check for active clinical trials or closed clinical trials using this agent. (NCI Thesaurus)

Synonym:Androstanolone
Abbreviation:DHT
Chemical structure name:(5alpha,17beta)-17-Hydroxyandrostan-3-one



Previous:Difflam, Diflucan, digoxin, dihydro-5-azacytidine, dihydrolenperone
Next:diindolylmethane, Dilaudid, Dilaudid HP, diltiazem hydrochloride, Dimericine

A Service of the National Cancer Institute
Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health USA.gov