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Steroid Hormone Cascade

Meaning

The precise, sequential biochemical pathway outlines the synthesis of all steroid hormones, beginning with cholesterol as the common precursor and progressing through a series of enzymatic conversions in the adrenal glands, gonads, and other tissues. This cascade involves key intermediate compounds like pregnenolone and progesterone, which are sequentially transformed into mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, and sex hormones like testosterone and estradiol. Understanding this pathway is fundamental for diagnosing and treating hormonal imbalances.