deoxycorticosterone

**Deoxycorticosterone (DOC)** is a naturally occurring steroid hormone produced by the adrenal gland that possesses mineralocorticoid activity and acts as a precursor to aldosterone[1]. It is synthesized from progesterone by 21β-hydroxylase and serves as an intermediate in the steroidogenesis pathway leading to aldosterone production[1]. DOC has approximately 1/20th the sodium-retaining potency of aldosterone but retains about 1/5th of aldosterone's potassium-excreting capability[1][2]. The hormone primarily acts on kidney tubules to promote sodium retention and potassium excretion, though it lacks significant glucocorticoid activity[1]. DOC levels can become pathologically elevated in certain forms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (11β-hydroxylase or 17α-hydroxylase deficiencies) and rarely in DOC-producing adrenal tumors, leading to mineralocorticoid hypertension[5][6].

Brand names

CortexoneDesoxycortone

Other names

11-deoxycorticosterone21-hydroxyprogesteronedesoxycortonedeoxycortonecortexonedesoxycorticosteronecompound B