5alpha-androstane-3beta,17beta-diol

**5alpha-androstane-3beta,17beta-diol** is a naturally occurring steroid hormone and a metabolite of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It belongs to the class of androgens and derivatives (C19 steroid hormones) but is notable for its estrogenic activity. This compound acts as an endogenous modulator of estrogen receptor beta (ERβ), with little or no affinity for androgen receptors. It has been shown to influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis by binding ERβ in the brain's paraventricular nucleus (PVN), thereby reducing stress-induced secretion of corticosterone and ACTH. While it favors development of masculine characteristics as an androgen derivative, its primary mechanism in neural tissues appears to be through ERβ activation rather than classical androgen receptor pathways[2][7][10]. There are no approved pharmaceutical indications; it is considered experimental.

Other names

3β-AdiolAndrostanediol