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Pregnenolone

Meaning

Pregnenolone is a naturally occurring steroid hormone synthesized primarily in the adrenal glands, gonads, and brain, serving as the crucial precursor molecule for virtually all other steroid hormones. Often referred to as the “mother hormone,” it sits at the apex of the steroidogenesis cascade, from which progesterone, DHEA, cortisol, testosterone, and estrogens are ultimately derived. Its circulating levels are often used as an indicator of overall adrenal and gonadal steroid production capacity.