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Gonadal Hormone Metabolites

Meaning

Gonadal Hormone Metabolites are the downstream chemical products formed when the primary steroid hormones produced by the gonads, such as testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone, are chemically modified and broken down by enzymes, primarily in the liver and peripheral tissues. These metabolites, like 2-hydroxyestrone or 5α-androstanediol, are critical for clinical assessment because they reflect not only the production rate of the parent hormone but also the specific pathways of hormonal clearance and detoxification. Their pattern provides a more comprehensive view of endocrine function than parent hormone levels alone.