Dihydrotestosterone#Biosynthesis

DHT is biologically important for sexual differentiation of the male genitalia during embryogenesis, maturation of the penis and scrotum at puberty, growth of facial, body, and pubic hair, and development and maintenance of the prostate gland and seminal vesicles. It is produced from the less potent testosterone by the enzyme 5α-reductase in select tissues, and is the primary androgen in the genitals, prostate gland, seminal vesicles, skin, and hair follicles.

DHT signals act mainly in an intracrine and paracrine manner in the tissues in which it is produced, playing only a minor role, if any, as a circulating endocrine hormone.{{cite journal | vauthors = Horton R | title = Dihydrotestosterone is a peripheral paracrine hormone | journal = Journal of Andrology | volume = 13 | issue = 1 | pages = 23–27 | year = 1992 | pmid = 1551803 | doi = 10.1002/j.1939-4640.1992.tb01621.x | doi-access = free }}{{cite journal | vauthors = Wilson JD | title = Role of dihydrotestosterone in androgen action | journal = The Prostate. Supplement | volume = 6 | issue = S6 | pages = 88–92 | year = 1996 | pmid = 8630237 | doi = 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0045(1996)6+<88::AID-PROS17>3.0.CO;2-N | s2cid = 41352599 }}{{cite journal | vauthors = Swerdloff RS, Dudley RE, Page ST, Wang C, Salameh WA | title = Dihydrotestosterone: Biochemistry, Physiology, and Clinical Implications of Elevated Blood Levels | journal = Endocrine Reviews | volume = 38 | issue = 3 | pages = 220–254 | date = June 2017 | pmid = 28472278 | pmc = 6459338 | doi = 10.1210/er.2016-1067 }} Circulating levels of DHT are one-tenth and one-twentieth those of testosterone in terms of total and free concentrations, respectively,{{cite book | vauthors = Bhasin S |title=Pharmacology, Biology, and Clinical Applications of Androgens: Current Status and Future Prospects|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hurRyWje4DMC&pg=PA72|year=1996|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=978-0-471-13320-9|pages=72–}} whereas local DHT levels may be up to 10 times those of testosterone in tissues with high 5α-reductase expression such as the prostate gland. In addition, unlike testosterone, DHT is inactivated by 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3α-HSD) into the very weak androgen 3α-androstanediol in various tissues such as muscle, adipose, and liver among others,{{cite journal | vauthors = Jin Y, Penning TM | title = Steroid 5alpha-reductases and 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases: key enzymes in androgen metabolism | journal = Best Practice & Research. Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism | volume = 15 | issue = 1 | pages = 79–94 | date = March 2001 | pmid = 11469812 | doi = 10.1053/beem.2001.0120 }} and in relation to this, DHT has been reported to be a very poor anabolic agent when administered exogenously as a medication.{{cite book|vauthors=Llewellyn W|title=Anabolics|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=afKLA-6wW0oC|year=2009|publisher=Molecular Nutrition Llc|isbn=978-0-9679304-7-3|pages=19, 163|access-date=6 November 2016|archive-date=10 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110191245/https://books.google.com/books?id=afKLA-6wW0oC|url-status=live}}

In addition to normal biological functions, DHT also plays an important causative role in a number of androgen-dependent conditions including hair conditions like hirsutism (excessive facial/body hair growth) and pattern hair loss (androgenic alopecia or pattern baldness) and prostate diseases such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer. 5α-Reductase inhibitors, which prevent DHT synthesis, are effective in the prevention and treatment of these conditions.{{cite journal | vauthors = Azzouni F, Mohler J | title = Role of 5α-reductase inhibitors in benign prostatic diseases | journal = Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases | volume = 15 | issue = 3 | pages = 222–230 | date = September 2012 | pmid = 22333687 | doi = 10.1038/pcan.2012.1 | s2cid = 205537645 | doi-access = free }} Androgen deprivation is a therapeutic approach to prostate cancer that can be implemented by castration to eliminate gonadal testosterone as a precursor to DHT, but metastatic tumors may then develop into castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Although castration results in 90-95% decrease of serum testosterone, DHT in the prostate is only decreased by 50%, supporting the notion that the prostate expresses necessary enzymes (including 5α-reductase) to produce DHT without testicular testosterone, that outline the importance of 5α-reductase inhibitors.

DHT may play a function in skeletal muscle amino acid transporter recruitment and function.{{cite journal | vauthors = Wendowski O, Redshaw Z, Mutungi G | title = Dihydrotestosterone treatment rescues the decline in protein synthesis as a result of sarcopenia in isolated mouse skeletal muscle fibres | journal = Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle | volume = 8 | issue = 1 | pages = 48–56 | date = February 2017 | pmid = 27239418 | pmc = 4863930 | doi = 10.1002/jcsm.12122 }}

Metabolites of DHT have been found to act as neurosteroids with their own AR-independent biological activity.{{cite book | vauthors = Kohtz AS, Frye CA | chapter = Dissociating Behavioral, Autonomic, and Neuroendocrine Effects of Androgen Steroids in Animal Models | title = Psychiatric Disorders | volume = 829 | pages = 397–431 | year = 2012 | pmid = 22231829 | doi = 10.1007/978-1-61779-458-2_26 | series = Methods in Molecular Biology | publisher = Springer | isbn = 978-1-61779-457-5 }} 3α-Androstanediol is a potent positive allosteric modulator of the GABA_A receptor, while 3β-androstanediol is a potent and selective agonist of the estrogen receptor (ER) subtype ERβ. These metabolites may play important roles in the central effects of DHT and by extension testosterone, including their antidepressant, anxiolytic, rewarding/hedonic, anti-stress, and pro-cognitive effects.{{cite journal | vauthors = Brunton PJ | title = Neuroactive steroids and stress axis regulation: Pregnancy and beyond | journal = The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | volume = 160 | pages = 160–168 | date = June 2016 | pmid = 26259885 | doi = 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2015.08.003 | s2cid = 43499796 }}

{{See also|5α-Reductase 2 deficiency}}

Much of the biological role of DHT has been elucidated in studies of individuals with congenital 5α-reductase type 2 deficiency, an intersex condition caused by a loss-of-function mutation in the gene encoding 5α-reductase type 2, the major enzyme responsible for the production of DHT in the body.{{cite book|vauthors=Blume-Peytavi U, Whiting DA, Trüeb RM|title=Hair Growth and Disorders|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pHrX2-huQCoC&pg=PA161|date=2008|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=978-3-540-46911-7|pages=161–62|access-date=27 September 2016|archive-date=11 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111121853/https://books.google.com/books?id=pHrX2-huQCoC&pg=PA161|url-status=live}}{{cite journal | vauthors = Okeigwe I, Kuohung W | title = 5-Alpha reductase deficiency: a 40-year retrospective review | journal = Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Obesity | volume = 21 | issue = 6 | pages = 483–487 | date = December 2014 | pmid = 25321150 | doi = 10.1097/MED.0000000000000116 | s2cid = 1093345 }}{{cite journal | vauthors = Marks LS | title = 5alpha-reductase: history and clinical importance | journal = Reviews in Urology | volume = 6 | issue = Suppl 9 | pages = S11–S21 | year = 2004 | pmid = 16985920 | pmc = 1472916 }} It is characterized by a defective and non-functional 5α-reductase type 2 enzyme and a partial but majority loss of DHT production in the body. In the condition, circulating testosterone levels are within or slightly above the normal male range, but DHT levels are low (around 30% of normal),{{Better source needed|date=July 2017}} and the ratio of circulating testosterone to DHT is greatly elevated (at about 3.5 to 5 times higher than normal).

Genetic males (46,XY) with 5α-reductase type 2 deficiency are born with undervirilization including pseudohermaphroditism (ambiguous genitalia), pseudovaginal perineoscrotal hypospadias, and usually undescended testes. Their external genitalia are female-like, with micropenis (a small, clitoris-like phallus), a partially unfused, labia-like scrotum, and a blind-ending, shallow vaginal pouch. Due to their lack of conspicuous male genitalia, genetic males with the condition are typically raised as girls. At the time of puberty however, they develop striking phenotypically masculine secondary sexual characteristics including partial virilization of the genitals (enlargement of the phallus into a near-functional penis and descent of the testes), voice deepening, typical male musculoskeletal development, and no menstruation, breast development, or other signs of feminization that occur during female puberty. In addition, normal libido and spontaneous erections develop, they usually show a sexual preference for females, and almost all develop a male gender identity.{{cite journal | vauthors = Imperato-McGinley J, Peterson RE, Gautier T, Sturla E | title = Androgens and the evolution of male-gender identity among male pseudohermaphrodites with 5alpha-reductase deficiency | journal = The New England Journal of Medicine | volume = 300 | issue = 22 | pages = 1233–1237 | date = May 1979 | pmid = 431680 | doi = 10.1056/NEJM197905313002201 }}

Nonetheless, males with 5α-reductase type 2 deficiency exhibit signs of continued undervirilization in a number of domains. Facial hair was absent or sparse in a relatively large group of Dominican males with the condition, known as the Güevedoces. However, more facial hair has been observed in patients with the disorder from other parts of the world, although facial hair was still reduced relative to that of other men in the same communities. The divergent findings may reflect racial differences in androgen-dependent hair growth. A female pattern of androgenic hair growth, with terminal hair largely restricted to the axillae and lower pubic triangle, is observed in males with the condition. No temporal recession of the hairline or androgenic alopecia (pattern hair loss or baldness) has been observed in any of the cases of 5α-reductase type 2 deficiency that have been reported, whereas this is normally seen to some degree in almost all Caucasian males in their teenage years. Individuals with 5α-reductase type 2 deficiency were initially reported to have no incidence of acne, but subsequent research indicated normal sebum secretion and acne incidence.

In genetic males with 5α-reductase type 2 deficiency, the prostate gland is rudimentary or absent, and if present, remains small, underdeveloped, and unpalpable throughout life. In addition, neither BPH nor prostate cancer have been reported in these individuals. Genetic males with the condition generally show oligozoospermia due to undescended testes, but spermatogenesis is reported to be normal in those with testes that have descended, and there are case instances of men with the condition successfully fathering children.{{cite journal | vauthors = Imperato-McGinley J, Zhu YS | title = Androgens and male physiology the syndrome of 5alpha-reductase-2 deficiency | journal = Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology | volume = 198 | issue = 1–2 | pages = 51–59 | date = December 2002 | pmid = 12573814 | doi = 10.1016/s0303-7207(02)00368-4 | s2cid = 54356569 }}{{cite journal | vauthors = Kang HJ, Imperato-McGinley J, Zhu YS, Rosenwaks Z | title = The effect of 5α-reductase-2 deficiency on human fertility | journal = Fertility and Sterility | volume = 101 | issue = 2 | pages = 310–316 | date = February 2014 | pmid = 24412121 | pmc = 4031759 | doi = 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2013.11.128 }}

Unlike males, genetic females with 5α-reductase type 2 deficiency are phenotypically normal. However, similarly to genetic males with the condition, they show reduced body hair growth, including an absence of hair on the arms and legs, slightly decreased axillary hair, and moderately decreased pubic hair.{{cite journal | vauthors = Katz MD, Cai LQ, Zhu YS, Herrera C, DeFillo-Ricart M, Shackleton CH, Imperato-McGinley J | title = The biochemical and phenotypic characterization of females homozygous for 5 alpha-reductase-2 deficiency | journal = The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism | volume = 80 | issue = 11 | pages = 3160–3167 | date = November 1995 | pmid = 7593420 | doi = 10.1210/jcem.80.11.7593420 }} On the other hand, sebum production is normal.{{cite journal | vauthors = Cilotti A, Danza G, Serio M | title = Clinical application of 5alpha-reductase inhibitors | journal = Journal of Endocrinological Investigation | volume = 24 | issue = 3 | pages = 199–203 | date = March 2001 | pmid = 11314752 | doi = 10.1007/bf03343844 | s2cid = 73167928 }} This is in accordance with the fact that sebum secretion appears to be entirely under the control of 5α-reductase type 1.

{{See also|5α-Reductase inhibitor|Finasteride|Dutasteride|MK-386}}

5α-Reductase inhibitors like finasteride and dutasteride inhibit 5α-reductase type 2 and/or other isoforms and are able to decrease circulating DHT levels by 65 to 98% depending on the 5α-reductase inhibitor in question.{{cite book | vauthors = Bradbury R |title= Cancer|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fdtDAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA49|year=2007|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=978-3-540-33120-9|pages=49–}}{{cite book|vauthors=Burchum J, Rosenthal L|title=Lehne's Pharmacology for Nursing Care|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C7_NBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA803|date=2014|publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences|isbn=978-0-323-34026-7|pages=803–|access-date=16 July 2017|archive-date=12 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112145742/https://books.google.com/books?id=C7_NBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA803|url-status=live}}{{cite book | vauthors = Bostwick DG, Cheng L |title=Urologic Surgical Pathology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wrHQAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA492|date=2014|publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences|isbn=978-0-323-08619-6|pages=492–}}{{cite book | vauthors = Heesakkers J, Chapple C, Ridder DD, Farag F |title=Practical Functional Urology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aWKhCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA280|year= 2016|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-3-319-25430-2|pages=280–}} As such, similarly to the case of 5α-reductase type 2 deficiency, they provide useful insights in the elucidation of the biological functions of DHT.{{cite journal | vauthors = Harris GS, Kozarich JW | title = Steroid 5alpha-reductase inhibitors in androgen-dependent disorders | journal = Current Opinion in Chemical Biology | volume = 1 | issue = 2 | pages = 254–259 | date = August 1997 | pmid = 9667860 | doi = 10.1016/s1367-5931(97)80017-8 }} 5α-Reductase inhibitors were developed and are used primarily for the treatment of BPH. The drugs are able to significantly reduce the size of the prostate gland and to alleviate symptoms of the condition.{{cite journal | vauthors = Sun J, Xiang H, Yang LL, Chen JB | title = A review on steroidal 5α-reductase inhibitors for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia | journal = Current Medicinal Chemistry | volume = 18 | issue = 23 | pages = 3576–3589 | year = 2011 | pmid = 21756226 | doi = 10.2174/092986711796642517 }} Long-term treatment with 5α-reductase inhibitors is also able to significantly reduce the overall risk of prostate cancer, although a simultaneous small increase in the risk of certain high-grade tumors has been observed.{{cite journal | vauthors = Azzouni F, Mohler J | title = Role of 5α-reductase inhibitors in prostate cancer prevention and treatment | journal = Urology | volume = 79 | issue = 6 | pages = 1197–1205 | date = June 2012 | pmid = 22446342 | doi = 10.1016/j.urology.2012.01.024 }} In addition to prostate diseases, 5α-reductase inhibitors have subsequently been developed and introduced for the treatment of pattern hair loss in men.{{cite journal | vauthors = Torres F | title = Androgenetic, diffuse and senescent alopecia in men: practical evaluation and management | journal = Current Problems in Dermatology | volume = 47 | pages = 33–44 | year = 2015 | pmid = 26370642 | doi = 10.1159/000369403 | isbn = 978-3-318-02774-7 }} They are able to prevent further progression of hair loss in most men with the condition and to produce some recovery of hair in about two-thirds of men. 5α-Reductase inhibitors seem to be less effective for pattern hair loss in women on the other hand, although they do still show some effectiveness.{{cite journal | vauthors = Check JH, Cohen R | title = An update on the treatment of female alopecia and the introduction of a potential novel therapy | journal = Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology | volume = 42 | issue = 4 | pages = 411–415 | year = 2015 | pmid = 26411201 | doi = 10.12891/ceog1960.2015 | s2cid = 32583007 | doi-access = free }} Aside from pattern hair loss, the drugs are also useful in the treatment of hirsutism and can greatly reduce facial and body hair growth in women with the condition.{{cite book|vauthors=Blume-Peytavi U, Whiting DA, Trüeb RM|title=Hair Growth and Disorders|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pHrX2-huQCoC&pg=PA369|date=2008|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=978-3-540-46911-7|pages=182, 369|access-date=16 December 2017|archive-date=10 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110031700/https://books.google.com/books?id=pHrX2-huQCoC&pg=PA369|url-status=live}}{{cite book | vauthors = Lotti F, Maggi M | veditors = Katsambas A, Lotti T, Dessinioti C, D'Erme AM | chapter = Hormonal Treatment for Skin Androgen-Related Disorders | title = European Handbook of Dermatological Treatments |chapter-url= https://books.google.com/books?id=fHi6CAAAQBAJ&pg=PA1451|year=2015|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-3-662-45139-7|pages=1451–64}}

5α-Reductase inhibitors are overall well tolerated and show a low incidence of adverse effects.{{cite journal | vauthors = Hirshburg JM, Kelsey PA, Therrien CA, Gavino AC, Reichenberg JS | title = Adverse Effects and Safety of 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors (Finasteride, Dutasteride): A Systematic Review | journal = The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology | volume = 9 | issue = 7 | pages = 56–62 | date = July 2016 | pmid = 27672412 | pmc = 5023004 }} Sexual dysfunction, including erectile dysfunction, loss of libido, and reduced ejaculate volume, may occur in 3.4 to 15.8% of men treated with finasteride or dutasteride.{{cite journal | vauthors = Liu L, Zhao S, Li F, Li E, Kang R, Luo L, Luo J, Wan S, Zhao Z | display-authors = 6 | title = Effect of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors on Sexual Function: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials | journal = The Journal of Sexual Medicine | volume = 13 | issue = 9 | pages = 1297–1310 | date = September 2016 | pmid = 27475241 | doi = 10.1016/j.jsxm.2016.07.006 }} A small increase in the risk of affective symptoms including depression, anxiety, and self-harm may be seen.{{cite journal | vauthors = Welk B, McArthur E, Ordon M, Anderson KK, Hayward J, Dixon S | title = Association of Suicidality and Depression With 5α-Reductase Inhibitors | journal = JAMA Internal Medicine | volume = 177 | issue = 5 | pages = 683–691 | date = May 2017 | pmid = 28319231 | pmc = 5818776 | doi = 10.1001/jamainternmed.2017.0089 }}{{cite journal | vauthors = Thielke S | title = The Risk of Suicidality and Depression From 5-α Reductase Inhibitors | journal = JAMA Internal Medicine | volume = 177 | issue = 5 | pages = 691–692 | date = May 2017 | pmid = 28319227 | doi = 10.1001/jamainternmed.2017.0096 }} However risk within the affected group can vary very strongly with some patients vividly reporting very strong persistent effects. Both the sexual dysfunction and affective symptoms may be due partially or fully to prevention of the synthesis of neurosteroids like allopregnanolone rather necessarily than due to inhibition of DHT production.{{cite journal | vauthors = Traish AM, Mulgaonkar A, Giordano N | title = The dark side of 5α-reductase inhibitors' therapy: sexual dysfunction, high Gleason grade prostate cancer and depression | journal = Korean Journal of Urology | volume = 55 | issue = 6 | pages = 367–379 | date = June 2014 | pmid = 24955220 | pmc = 4064044 | doi = 10.4111/kju.2014.55.6.367 }} A small risk of gynecomastia has been associated with 5α-reductase inhibitors (1.2–3.5%).{{cite journal | vauthors = Fertig R, Shapiro J, Bergfeld W, Tosti A | title = Investigation of the Plausibility of 5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor Syndrome | journal = Skin Appendage Disorders | volume = 2 | issue = 3–4 | pages = 120–129 | date = January 2017 | pmid = 28232919 | pmc = 5264352 | doi = 10.1159/000450617 }} Based on reports of 5α-reductase type 2 deficiency in males and the effectiveness of 5α-reductase inhibitors for hirsutism in women, reduced body and/or facial hair growth is a likely potential side effect of these drugs in men. There are far fewer studies evaluating the side effects of 5α-reductase inhibitors in women. However, due to the known role of DHT in male sexual differentiation, 5α-reductase inhibitors may cause birth defects such as ambiguous genitalia in the male fetuses of pregnant women. As such, they are not used in women during pregnancy.

MK-386 is a selective 5α-reductase type 1 inhibitor which was never marketed.{{cite journal | vauthors = Machetti F, Guarna A| title = Novel inhibitors of 5α-reductase|journal=Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Patents|volume=12|issue=2|year=2005|pages=201–15|issn=1354-3776|doi=10.1517/13543776.12.2.201| s2cid = 85073794 }} Whereas 5α-reductase type 2 inhibitors achieve much higher reductions in circulating DHT production, MK-386 decreases circulating DHT levels by 20 to 30%.{{cite journal | vauthors = Schwartz JI, Van Hecken A, De Schepper PJ, De Lepeleire I, Lasseter KC, Shamblen EC, Winchell GA, Constanzer ML, Chavez CM, Wang DZ, Ebel DL, Justice SJ, Gertz BJ | display-authors = 6 | title = Effect of MK-386, a novel inhibitor of type 1 5 alpha-reductase, alone and in combination with finasteride, on serum dihydrotestosterone concentrations in men | journal = The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism | volume = 81 | issue = 8 | pages = 2942–2947 | date = August 1996 | pmid = 8768856 | doi = 10.1210/jcem.81.8.8768856 | doi-access = free }} Conversely, it was found to decrease sebum DHT levels by 55% in men versus a modest reduction of only 15% for finasteride.{{cite journal | vauthors = Schwartz JI, Tanaka WK, Wang DZ, Ebel DL, Geissler LA, Dallob A, Hafkin B, Gertz BJ | display-authors = 6 | title = MK-386, an inhibitor of 5alpha-reductase type 1, reduces dihydrotestosterone concentrations in serum and sebum without affecting dihydrotestosterone concentrations in semen | journal = The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism | volume = 82 | issue = 5 | pages = 1373–1377 | date = May 1997 | pmid = 9141518 | doi = 10.1210/jcem.82.5.3912 | doi-access = free }}{{cite journal| vauthors = Kaufman KD |title=5α-Reductase Inhibitors in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia|journal=International Journal of Cosmetic Surgery and Aesthetic Dermatology|volume=3|issue=2|year=2001|pages=107–19|issn=1530-8200|doi=10.1089/153082001753231036}} However, MK-386 failed to show significant effectiveness in a subsequent clinical study for the treatment of acne.{{cite journal | vauthors = Azzouni F, Godoy A, Li Y, Mohler J | title = The 5 alpha-reductase isozyme family: a review of basic biology and their role in human diseases | journal = Advances in Urology | volume = 2012 | pages = 530121 | year = 2012 | pmid = 22235201 | pmc = 3253436 | doi = 10.1155/2012/530121 | doi-access = free }}

DHT is a potent agonist of the AR, and is in fact the most potent known endogenous ligand of the receptor. It has an affinity (K_d) of 0.25 to 0.5 nM for the human AR, which is about 2- to 3-fold higher than that of testosterone (K_d = 0.4 to 1.0 nM){{cite book | vauthors = Mozayani A, Raymon L | title = Handbook of Drug Interactions: A Clinical and Forensic Guide | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=NhBJ6kg_uP0C&pg=PA656 | year= 2011 | publisher = Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=978-1-61779-222-9|pages=656–}} and 15–30 times higher than that of adrenal androgens.{{cite book | vauthors = Hemat RA | title = Principles Of Orthomolecularism | publisher = Urotext | year = 2004 | isbn = 978-1-903737-05-7 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=ED_xI-CEzFYC&q=DHT+is+3+times+more+potent+than+testosterone%3B+testosterone+is+5-10+times+more+potent+than+adrenal+androgens | page = 426 | access-date = 8 October 2020 | archive-date = 24 February 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240224205541/https://books.google.com/books?id=ED_xI-CEzFYC&q=DHT+is+3+times+more+potent+than+testosterone%3B+testosterone+is+5-10+times+more+potent+than+adrenal+androgens#v=snippet&q=DHT%20is%203%20times%20more%20potent%20than%20testosterone%3B%20testosterone%20is%205-10%20times%20more%20potent%20than%20adrenal%20androgens&f=false | url-status = live }} In addition, the dissociation rate of DHT from the AR is 5-fold slower than that of testosterone.{{cite journal | vauthors = Grino PB, Griffin JE, Wilson JD | title = Testosterone at high concentrations interacts with the human androgen receptor similarly to dihydrotestosterone | journal = Endocrinology | volume = 126 | issue = 2 | pages = 1165–1172 | date = February 1990 | pmid = 2298157 | doi = 10.1210/endo-126-2-1165 }} The EC₅₀ of DHT for activation of the AR is 0.13 nM, which is about 5-fold stronger than that of testosterone (EC₅₀ = 0.66 nM).{{cite book | vauthors = Wilderer PA | title = Treatise on Water Science, Four-Volume Set | chapter = Bioassays for Estrogenic and Androgenic Effects of Water Constituents | chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=HSPtBDpRSXMC&pg=PT1805 | date = 2010 | publisher = Newnes | isbn = 978-0-444-53199-5 | pages = 1805– }} In bioassays, DHT has been found to be 2.5- to 10-fold more potent than testosterone.

The elimination half-life of DHT in the body (53 minutes) is longer than that of testosterone (34 minutes), and this may account for some of the difference in their potency.{{cite journal | vauthors = Diamanti-Kandarakis E | title = Current aspects of antiandrogen therapy in women | journal = Current Pharmaceutical Design | volume = 5 | issue = 9 | pages = 707–723 | date = September 1999 | pmid = 10495361 | doi = 10.2174/1381612805666230111201150 }} A study of transdermal (patches) DHT and testosterone treatment reported terminal half-lives of 2.83 hours and 1.29 hours, respectively.{{cite book |title=Handbook of Drug Interactions |vauthors=von Deutsch DA, Abukhalaf IK, Lapu-Bula R |date=2012 |publisher=Springer Science & Business Media |isbn=978-1-59259-654-6 |veditors=Mozayani A, Raymon L |pages=647– |chapter=Anabolic Doping Agents |doi=10.1007/978-1-61779-222-9_15 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dwMyBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA510}}

Unlike other androgens such as testosterone, DHT cannot be converted by the enzyme aromatase into an estrogen like estradiol. Therefore, it is frequently used in research settings to distinguish between the effects of testosterone caused by binding to the AR and those caused by testosterone's conversion to estradiol and subsequent binding to and activation of ERs.{{cite journal | vauthors = Swerdloff RS, Wang C | title = Dihydrotestosterone: a rationale for its use as a non-aromatizable androgen replacement therapeutic agent | journal = Bailliere's Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism | volume = 12 | issue = 3 | pages = 501–506 | date = October 1998 | pmid = 10332569 | doi = 10.1016/s0950-351x(98)80267-x }} Although DHT cannot be aromatized, it is still transformed into metabolites with significant ER affinity and activity. These are 3α-androstanediol and 3β-androstanediol, which are predominant agonists of the ERβ.

File:Steroidogenesis.svg, showing DHT around the bottom middle among the androgens{{cite journal | vauthors = Häggström M, Richfield D | title = Diagram of the pathways of human steroidogenesis | journal=WikiJournal of Medicine|volume=1|issue=1|year=2014|issn=2002-4436|doi=10.15347/wjm/2014.005| doi-access=free}}]]

DHT is synthesized irreversibly from testosterone by the enzyme 5α-reductase.{{cite book | vauthors = Melmed S | title = Williams Textbook of Endocrinology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YZ8_CwAAQBAJ&pg=PA621|year=2016|publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences|isbn=978-0-323-29738-7|pages=621, 711}} This occurs in various tissues including the genitals (penis, scrotum, clitoris, labia majora),{{cite book | vauthors = Rhoades RA, Bell DR | title = Medical Physiology: Principles for Clinical Medicine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1kGcFOKCUzkC&pg=PA690|date= 2012|publisher=Lippincott Williams & Wilkins|isbn=978-1-60913-427-3|pages=690–}} prostate gland, skin, hair follicles, liver, and brain. Around 5 to 7% of testosterone undergoes 5α-reduction into DHT,{{cite book | vauthors = Rakel D |title=Integrative Medicine E-Book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BMNeorjr8aEC&pg=PA321|year=2012|publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences|isbn=978-1-4557-2503-8|pages=321–}}{{cite book | vauthors = Morrison MF |title=Hormones, Gender and the Aging Brain: The Endocrine Basis of Geriatric Psychiatry|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DzDZE4ZpvQEC&pg=PA17|date=2000|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-1-139-42645-9|pages=17–}} and approximately 200 to 300 μg of DHT is synthesized in the body per day. Most DHT is produced in peripheral tissues like the skin and liver, whereas most circulating DHT originates specifically from the liver. The testes and prostate gland contribute relatively little to concentrations of DHT in circulation.

There are two major isoforms of 5α-reductase, SRD5A1 (type 1) and SRD5A2 (type 2), with the latter being the most biologically important isoenzyme. There is also third 5α-reductase: SRD5A3. SRD5A2 is most highly expressed in the genitals, prostate gland, epididymides, seminal vesicles, genital skin, facial and chest hair follicles,{{cite journal | vauthors = Zouboulis CC, Chen WC, Thornton MJ, Qin K, Rosenfield R | title = Sexual hormones in human skin | journal = Hormone and Metabolic Research = Hormon- und Stoffwechselforschung = Hormones et Métabolisme | volume = 39 | issue = 2 | pages = 85–95 | date = February 2007 | pmid = 17326004 | doi = 10.1055/s-2007-961807 | doi-access = free }}{{cite book | vauthors = Bolognia JL, Jorizzo JL, Schaffer JV | title = Dermatology E-Book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A78BaiEKnzIC&pg=PA1094|year=2012|publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences|isbn=978-0-7020-5182-1|pages=1094–}} and liver, while lower expression is observed in certain brain areas, non-genital skin/hair follicles, testes, and kidneys. SRD5A1 is most highly expressed in non-genital skin/hair follicles, the liver, and certain brain areas, while lower levels are present in the prostate, epididymides, seminal vesicles, genital skin, testes, adrenal glands, and kidneys. In the skin, 5α-reductase is expressed in sebaceous glands, sweat glands, epidermal cells, and hair follicles. Both isoenzymes are expressed in scalp hair follicles,{{cite book | vauthors = Murphy MJ | title = Molecular Diagnostics in Dermatology and Dermatopathology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cyDyIqkmJAMC&pg=PA373|year=2011|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=978-1-60761-171-4|pages=373–}} although SRD5A2 predominates in these cells. The SRD5A2 subtype is the almost exclusive isoform expressed in the prostate gland.{{cite journal | vauthors = Keam SJ, Scott LJ | title = Dutasteride: a review of its use in the management of prostate disorders | journal = Drugs | volume = 68 | issue = 4 | pages = 463–485 | year = 2008 | pmid = 18318566 | doi = 10.2165/00003495-200868040-00008 | s2cid = 242987808 }}

File:Androgen backdoor pathway.svg{{Main article|Androgen backdoor pathway}}DHT under certain normal and pathological conditions can additionally be produced via a route that does not involve testosterone as an intermediate but instead goes through other intermediates.{{cite journal|doi=10.15347/WJM/2023.003 |doi-access=free |title=Alternative androgen pathways |year=2023 | vauthors = Masiutin M, Yadav M |journal=WikiJournal of Medicine |volume=10 |pages=X |s2cid=257943362}} This route is called the "backdoor pathway".{{cite journal | vauthors = Auchus RJ | title = The backdoor pathway to dihydrotestosterone | journal = Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism | volume = 15 | issue = 9 | pages = 432–438 | date = November 2004 | pmid = 15519890 | doi = 10.1016/j.tem.2004.09.004 | s2cid = 10631647 }}

The pathway can start from 17α-hydroxyprogesterone or from progesterone and can be outlined as follows (depending on the initial substrate):

• 17α-hydroxyprogesterone → 5α-pregnan-17α-ol-3,20-dione → 5α-pregnane-3α,17α-diol-20-one → androsterone → 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol → DHT.{{cite journal | vauthors = Wilson JD, Auchus RJ, Leihy MW, Guryev OL, Estabrook RW, Osborn SM, Shaw G, Renfree MB | display-authors = 6 | title = 5alpha-androstane-3alpha,17beta-diol is formed in tammar wallaby pouch young testes by a pathway involving 5alpha-pregnane-3alpha,17alpha-diol-20-one as a key intermediate | journal = Endocrinology | volume = 144 | issue = 2 | pages = 575–580 | date = February 2003 | pmid = 12538619 | doi = 10.1210/en.2002-220721 | doi-access = free }}
• progesterone → 5α-dihydroprogesterone → allopregnanolone → 5α-pregnane-3α,17α-diol-20-one → androsterone → 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol → DHT.

This pathway is not always considered in the clinical evaluation of patients with hyperandrogenism, for instance due to rare disorders of sex development like 21α-hydroxylase deficiency. Ignoring this pathway in such instances may lead to diagnostic pitfalls and confusion,{{cite journal | vauthors = Sumińska M, Bogusz-Górna K, Wegner D, Fichna M | title = Non-Classic Disorder of Adrenal Steroidogenesis and Clinical Dilemmas in 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency Combined with Backdoor Androgen Pathway. Mini-Review and Case Report | journal = International Journal of Molecular Sciences | volume = 21 | issue = 13 | pages = 4622 | date = June 2020 | pmid = 32610579 | pmc = 7369945 | doi = 10.3390/ijms21134622 | doi-access = free }} when the conventional androgen biosynthetic pathway cannot fully explain the observed consequences.

As with the conventional pathway of DHT synthesis, the backdoor pathway similarly requires 5α-reductase.{{cite journal | vauthors = Miller WL, Auchus RJ | title = The "backdoor pathway" of androgen synthesis in human male sexual development | journal = PLOS Biology | volume = 17 | issue = 4 | pages = e3000198 | date = April 2019 | pmid = 30943210 | pmc = 6464227 | doi = 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000198 | doi-access = free }} Whereas 5α-reduction is the last transformation in the classical androgen pathway, it is the first step in the backdoor pathway.

The plasma protein binding of DHT is more than 99%. In men, approximately 0.88% of DHT is unbound and hence free, while in premenopausal women, about 0.47–0.48% is unbound. In men, DHT is bound 49.7% to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), 39.2% to albumin, and 0.22% to corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG), while in premenopausal women, DHT is bound 78.1–78.4% to SHBG, 21.0–21.3% to albumin, and 0.12% to CBG. In late pregnancy, only 0.07% of DHT is unbound in women; 97.8% is bound to SHBG while 2.15% is bound to albumin and 0.04% is bound to CBG.{{cite book|vauthors=Nieschlag E, Behre HM, Nieschlag S|title=Testosterone: Action, Deficiency, Substitution|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MkrAPaQ4wJkC&pg=PA61|date=2012|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-1-107-01290-5|pages=61–|access-date=8 March 2018|archive-date=11 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111143032/https://books.google.com/books?id=MkrAPaQ4wJkC&pg=PA61|url-status=live}}{{cite journal | vauthors = Dunn JF, Nisula BC, Rodbard D | title = Transport of steroid hormones: binding of 21 endogenous steroids to both testosterone-binding globulin and corticosteroid-binding globulin in human plasma | journal = The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism | volume = 53 | issue = 1 | pages = 58–68 | date = July 1981 | pmid = 7195404 | doi = 10.1210/jcem-53-1-58 }} DHT has higher affinity for SHBG than does testosterone, estradiol, or any other steroid hormone.{{cite book | vauthors = Williams DA, Foye WO, Lemke TL |title=Foye's Principles of Medicinal Chemistry|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qLJ6Bs1Qml4C&pg=PA707|year=2002|publisher=Lippincott Williams & Wilkins|isbn=978-0-683-30737-5|pages=707–}}

{{Plasma protein binding of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone}}

{{See also|Testosterone#Metabolism}}

{{Testosterone metabolism mini|align=right|caption=This diagram illustrates the metabolic pathways involved in the metabolism of DHT in humans. In addition to the transformations shown in the diagram, conjugation (e.g., sulfation and glucuronidation) occurs with DHT and metabolites that have one or more available hydroxyl (–OH) groups.}}

DHT is inactivated in the liver and extrahepatic tissues like the skin into 3α-androstanediol and 3β-androstanediol by the enzymes 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, respectively.{{cite journal | vauthors = Rizner TL, Lin HK, Peehl DM, Steckelbroeck S, Bauman DR, Penning TM | title = Human type 3 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (aldo-keto reductase 1C2) and androgen metabolism in prostate cells | journal = Endocrinology | volume = 144 | issue = 7 | pages = 2922–2932 | date = July 2003 | pmid = 12810547 | doi = 10.1210/en.2002-0032 | doi-access = free }} These metabolites are in turn converted, respectively, into androsterone and epiandrosterone, then conjugated (via glucuronidation and/or sulfation), released into circulation, and excreted in urine.

Unlike testosterone, DHT cannot be aromatized into an estrogen like estradiol, and for this reason, has no propensity for estrogenic effects.{{cite book | vauthors = Weiner IB, Gallagher M | title=Handbook of Psychology, Biological Psychology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=07UXE4gG3PcC&pg=PA333|year=2003|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=978-0-471-38403-8|pages=333–}}

DHT is excreted in the urine as metabolites, such as conjugates of 3α-androstanediol and androsterone.{{cite book | vauthors = Schill W, Comhaire FH, Hargreave TB | title = Andrology for the Clinician|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5Ts_AAAAQBAJ&pg=PA243|year= 2006|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=978-3-540-33713-3|pages=243–}}

Ranges for circulating total DHT levels tested with HPLC–MS/MS and reported by LabCorp are as follows:{{cite web |url=https://www.esoterix.com/sites/default/files/L5167-0320-17.pdf |title=Endocrinology: Expected Values | publisher = LabCorp | work = www.esoterix.com |access-date=3 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200330030510/https://www.esoterix.com/sites/default/files/L5167-0320-17.pdf |archive-date=30 March 2020 |url-status=dead}}

• Men: 30–85{{nbsp}}ng/dL
• Women: 4–22{{nbsp}}ng/dL
• Prepubertal children: <3{{nbsp}}ng/dL
• Pubertal boys: 3–65{{nbsp}}ng/dL (mean at Tanner stage 5: 43{{nbsp}}ng/dL)
• Pubertal girls: 3–19{{nbsp}}ng/dL (mean at Tanner stage 5: 9{{nbsp}}ng/dL)

Ranges for circulating free DHT levels tested with HPLC–MS/MS and equilibrium dialysis and reported by LabCorp are as follows:

• <18 years of age: not established
• Adult males: 2.30–11.60{{nbsp}}pg/mL (0.54–2.58% free)
• Adult females: 0.09–1.02{{nbsp}}pg/mL (<1.27% free)

Other studies and labs assessing circulating total DHT levels with LC–MS/MS have reported ranges of 11–95{{nbsp}}ng/dL (0.38–3.27{{nbsp}}nmol/L) in adult men, 14–77{{nbsp}}ng/dL (0.47–2.65{{nbsp}}nmol/L) for healthy adult men (age 18–59{{nbsp}}years), 23–102 ng/dL (0.8–3.5 nmol/L) for community-dwelling adult men (age <65{{nbsp}}years), and 14–92{{nbsp}}ng/dL (0.49–3.2{{nbsp}}nmol/L) for healthy older men (age 71–87{{nbsp}}years). In the case of women, mean circulating DHT levels have been found to be about 9{{nbsp}}ng/dL (0.3{{nbsp}}nmol/L) in premenopausal women and 3{{nbsp}}ng/dL (0.1{{nbsp}}nmol/L) in postmenopausal women. There was no variation in DHT levels across the menstrual cycle in premenopausal women, which is in contrast to testosterone (which shows a peak at mid-cycle). With immunoassay-based techniques, testosterone levels in premenopausal women have been found to be about 40{{nbsp}}ng/dL (1.4{{nbsp}}nmol/L) and DHT levels about 10{{nbsp}}ng/dL (0.34{{nbsp}}nmol/L).{{cite journal | vauthors = Stanczyk FZ | title = Diagnosis of hyperandrogenism: biochemical criteria | journal = Best Practice & Research. Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism | volume = 20 | issue = 2 | pages = 177–191 | date = June 2006 | pmid = 16772150 | doi = 10.1016/j.beem.2006.03.007 }} With radioimmunoassays, the ranges for testosterone and DHT levels in women have been found to be 20 to 70{{nbsp}}ng/dL and 5 to 30{{nbsp}}ng/dL, respectively.

Levels of total testosterone, free testosterone, and free DHT, but not total DHT, all measured with LC–MS/MS, are higher in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) than in women without this condition.{{cite journal | vauthors = Münzker J, Hofer D, Trummer C, Ulbing M, Harger A, Pieber T, Owen L, Keevil B, Brabant G, Lerchbaum E, Obermayer-Pietsch B | display-authors = 6 | title = Testosterone to dihydrotestosterone ratio as a new biomarker for an adverse metabolic phenotype in the polycystic ovary syndrome | journal = The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism | volume = 100 | issue = 2 | pages = 653–660 | date = February 2015 | pmid = 25387259 | doi = 10.1210/jc.2014-2523 | doi-access = free }}

Circulating DHT levels in eugonadal men are about 7- to 10-fold lower than those of testosterone, and plasma levels of testosterone and DHT are highly correlated (correlation coefficient of 0.7). In contrast to the circulation however, levels of DHT in the prostate gland are approximately 5- to 10-fold higher than those of testosterone.{{cite book | vauthors = Hay ID, Wass JA | title = Clinical Endocrine Oncology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fGio-5vtqqkC&pg=PA37|date=2009|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=978-1-4443-0023-9|pages=37–}} This is due to a more than 90% conversion of testosterone into DHT in the prostate via locally expressed 5α-reductase. Because of this, and because DHT is much more potent as an androgen receptor agonist than testosterone, DHT is the major androgen in the prostate gland.

{{Main|Androstanolone}}

DHT is available in pharmaceutical formulations for medical use as an androgen or anabolic–androgenic steroid (AAS).{{cite book | vauthors = Hyde TE, Gengenbach MS | title = Conservative Management of Sports Injuries|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uzPwfNYyjjUC&pg=PA1100|year=2007|publisher=Jones & Bartlett Learning|isbn=978-0-7637-3252-3|pages=1100–}} It is used mainly in the treatment of male hypogonadism. When used as a medication, dihydrotestosterone is referred to as androstanolone ({{abbrlink|INN|International Nonproprietary Name}}) or as stanolone ({{abbrlink|BAN|British Approved Name}}),{{cite book | vauthors = Elks J | title = The Dictionary of Drugs: Chemical Data: Chemical Data, Structures and Bibliographies|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0vXTBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA640|year=2014|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-1-4757-2085-3|pages=640–}}{{cite book|title=Index Nominum 2000: International Drug Directory|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5GpcTQD_L2oC&pg=PA63|date=2000|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-3-88763-075-1|pages=63–}} and is sold under brand names such as Andractim among others.{{cite book | vauthors = List PH, Hörhammer L | title = Chemikalien und Drogen: Teil B: R, S|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VXutBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA523|date=2013|publisher=Springer-Verlag|isbn=978-3-642-66377-2|pages=523–}} The availability of pharmaceutical DHT is limited; it is not available in the United States or Canada,{{cite web |title=Drugs@FDA: FDA Approved Drug Products |publisher=United States Food and Drug Administration |access-date=16 November 2016 |url=http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/ |archive-date=16 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116164727/http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Drug Product Database |date=18 March 2010 |publisher=Health Canada |url=http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodpharma/databasdon/index-eng.php |access-date=13 November 2016 |archive-date=19 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119200516/http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodpharma/databasdon/index-eng.php |url-status=live }} but is available in certain European countries.{{cite web | url = https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800011409 | title = Androstanolone Drug Profile | work = Adis Insight | date = 4 December 2006 | access-date = 13 December 2016 | archive-date = 15 February 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210215182303/https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800011409 | url-status = live }} The available formulations of DHT include buccal or sublingual tablets, topical gels, and, as esters in oil, injectables like androstanolone propionate and androstanolone valerate.

DHT has been used as a performance enhancing drug, specifically as an alternative to testosterone, as it was once known to be capable of falsifying drug tests.{{sfn|Mottram|2003}}

DHT, also known as 5α-androstan-17β-ol-3-one, is a naturally occurring androstane steroid with a ketone group at the C3 position and a hydroxyl group at the C17β position. It is the derivative of testosterone in which the double bond between the C4 and C5 positions has been reduced or hydrogenated.

DHT was first synthesized by Adolf Butenandt and his colleagues in 1935.{{cite book | vauthors = Schnitzer R | title = Experimental Chemotherapy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=elAJWRnKqDEC&pg=PA156|year= 1967|publisher=Elsevier Science|isbn=978-0-323-14611-1|pages=156–}}{{cite book | vauthors = Krüskemper HL | title = Anabolic Steroids|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4xIlBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA12|year=2013|publisher=Elsevier|isbn=978-1-4832-6504-9|pages=12–}} It was prepared via hydrogenation of testosterone, which had been discovered earlier that year.{{cite book | vauthors = Taylor WN | title = Anabolic Steroids and the Athlete|edition=2d|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OGcQ0Tp2AFcC&pg=PA178|year=2002|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-0-7864-1128-3|pages=178–}} DHT was introduced for medical use as an AAS in 1953, and was noted to be more potent than testosterone but with reduced androgenicity.{{cite book|title=Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Encyclopedia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dXpUAAAAMAAJ|year=2007|publisher=William Andrew Pub.|isbn=978-0-8155-1526-5}}{{cite book|title=Newsweek|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tsALAQAAIAAJ|year=1953|publisher=Newsweek}}{{cite book|title=New and Nonofficial Drugs|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eY4wAAAAIAAJ|year=1958|publisher=Lippincott}} It was not elucidated to be an endogenous substance until 1956, when it was shown to be formed from testosterone in rat liver homogenates.{{cite journal | vauthors = Rubin BL, Dorfman RI | title = In vitro conversion of testosterone to 17beta-hydroxyandrostan-3-one | journal = Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine | volume = 91 | issue = 4 | pages = 585–586 | date = April 1956 | pmid = 13323010 | doi = 10.3181/00379727-91-22337 | s2cid = 36534106 }} In addition, the biological importance of DHT was not realized until the early 1960s, when it was found to be produced by 5α-reductase from circulating testosterone in target tissues like the prostate gland and seminal vesicles and was found to be more potent than testosterone in bioassays.{{cite book | vauthors = Agmo A | title = Functional and Dysfunctional Sexual Behavior: A Synthesis of Neuroscience and Comparative Psychology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mmJjj6UvB9YC&pg=PA196|date=2011|publisher=Academic Press|isbn=978-0-08-054938-5|pages=196–}}{{cite book | vauthors = Oreopoulos DG, Michelis M, Herschorn S | title = Nephrology and Urology in the Aged Patient|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8BioBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA495|date= 2012|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=978-94-011-1822-4|pages=495–}}{{cite book | vauthors = Webster GF, Rawlings AV | title = Acne and Its Therapy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sx_cua_GYS4C&pg=PA168|year=2007|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=978-1-4200-1841-7|pages=168–}}{{cite book | vauthors = Smith LB, Mitchell RT, McEwan IJ | title=Testosterone: From Basic Research to Clinical Applications|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wH69BAAAQBAJ&pg=PA5|date= 2013|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=978-1-4614-8978-8|pages=5–}} The biological functions of DHT in humans became much more clearly defined upon the discovery and characterization of 5α-reductase type 2 deficiency in 1974. DHT was the last major sex hormone, the others being testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone, to be discovered, and is unique in that it is the only major sex hormone that functions principally as an intracrine and paracrine hormone rather than as an endocrine hormone.{{cite journal | vauthors = Anawalt BD | title = Is Dihydrotestosterone a Classic Hormone? | journal = Endocrine Reviews | volume = 38 | issue = 3 | pages = 170–172 | date = June 2017 | pmid = 28582536 | doi = 10.1210/er.2017-00091 | doi-access = free }}

DHT was{{when|date=May 2023}} one of the original "underground" methods used to falsify drug testing in sport, as DHT does not alter the ratio of testosterone to epistestosterone in an athlete's urinary steroid profile, a measurement that was once the basis of drug tests used to detect steroid use. However, DHT use can still be detected by other means which are now universal in athletic drug tests, such as metabolite analysis.{{cite book |vauthors=Mottram D |title=Drugs in Sport |date=2003 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-134-53575-0 |page=165 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x4uBAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA165 |language=en |access-date=21 January 2023 |archive-date=21 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121014451/https://books.google.com/books?id=x4uBAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA165 |url-status=live }}

In 2004, Richard Auchus, in a review published in Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism coined the term "backdoor pathway" as a metabolic route to DHT that: 1) bypasses conventional intermediates androstenedione and testosterone; 2) involves 5α-reduction of 21-carbon (C21) pregnanes to 19-carbon (C19) androstanes; and 3) involves the 3α-oxidation of 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol to DHT. This newly discovered pathway explained how DHT is produced under certain normal and pathological conditions in humans when the classical androgen pathway (via testosterone) cannot fully explain the observed consequences. This review was based on earlier works (published in 2000–2004) by Shaw et al., Wilson et al., and Mahendroo et al., who studied DHT biosynthesis in tammar wallaby pouch young and mice.

In 2011, Chang et al.{{cite journal | vauthors = Chang KH, Li R, Papari-Zareei M, Watumull L, Zhao YD, Auchus RJ, Sharifi N | title = Dihydrotestosterone synthesis bypasses testosterone to drive castration-resistant prostate cancer | journal = Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America | volume = 108 | issue = 33 | pages = 13728–13733 | date = August 2011 | pmid = 21795608 | pmc = 3158152 | doi = 10.1073/pnas.1107898108 | publisher = Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences | bibcode = 2011PNAS..10813728C | doi-access = free }} demonstrated that yet another metabolic pathway to DHT was dominant and possibly essential in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). This pathway can be outlined as androstenedione → 5α-androstane-3,17-dione → DHT. While this pathway was described as the "5α-dione pathway" in a 2012 review,{{cite journal | vauthors = Sharifi N | title = The 5α-androstanedione pathway to dihydrotestosterone in castration-resistant prostate cancer | journal = Journal of Investigative Medicine | volume = 60 | issue = 2 | pages = 504–507 | date = February 2012 | pmid = 22064602 | pmc = 3262939 | doi = 10.2310/JIM.0b013e31823874a4 }} the existence of such a pathway in the prostate was hypothesized in a 2008 review by Luu-The et al.{{cite journal | vauthors = Luu-The V, Bélanger A, Labrie F | title = Androgen biosynthetic pathways in the human prostate | journal = Best Practice & Research. Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism | volume = 22 | issue = 2 | pages = 207–221 | date = April 2008 | pmid = 18471780 | doi = 10.1016/j.beem.2008.01.008 | publisher = Elsevier BV }}

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