Fig. 3.

Schematic showing the biochemical conversion of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) to oestradiol and dihydroxytestosterone (DHT). Genes coding for the key converting enzymes are depicted in italics. 3BHSD = 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase; 17BHSD = 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, also known as 17-ketosteroid oxidoreductase. Importantly, tissues that express the key converting enzymes have the potential to activate oestrogen and androgen receptors, using DHEA as a sex-steroid hormone precursor.