FIGURE 1.
Testosterone metabolism. Type 2 5α-reductase is found predominantly in the prostate and other genital tissues and is believed to be more important in conversion of testosterone to DHT, whereas type 1 is found throughout the body, including the skin, liver, and prostate (49). 3α-Diol-G is a metabolite of DHT. Type 3 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3α-HSD-3) converts DHT to 3α-androstanediol (3α-Diol), the immediate precursor of 3α-Diol-G, and is found in abdominal adipose tissue (46). 3α-Diol is converted to 3α-Diol-G by the glucuro(39)nosyltransferase UGT2B15, an enzyme also present in fat tissue (57).