Complete androgen insensitivity syndromeComplete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) is an AIS condition that results in the complete inability of the cell to respond to androgens. As such, the insensitivity to androgens is only clinically significant when it occurs in individuals who are exposed to significant amounts of testosterone at some point in their lives. The unresponsiveness of the cell to the presence of androgenic hormones prevents the masculinization of male genitalia in the developing fetus, as well as the development of male secondary sexual characteristics at puberty, but does allow, without significant impairment, female genital and sexual development in those with the condition.
3β-Androstanediol3β-Androstanediol, also known as 5α-androstane-3β,17β-diol, and sometimes shortened in the literature to 3β-diol, is an endogenous steroid hormone and a metabolite of androgens like dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). 3β-Androstanediol is a selective, high-affinity agonist of the ERβ, and hence, an estrogen. In contrast to ERβ, 3β-androstanediol does not bind to the androgen receptor (AR). 3β-Androstanediol has been reported to also bind to ERα with low nanomolar affinity, with several-fold lower affinity relative to ERβ.
Dimethandrolone undecanoateDimethandrolone undecanoate (DMAU), also known by its developmental code name CDB-4521, is an experimental androgen/anabolic steroid (AAS) and progestogen medication which is under development as a potential birth control pill for men. It is taken by mouth, but can also be given by injection into muscle. Side effects of DMAU include mild weight gain and mild decreases in levels of HDL cholesterol. It may also cause low estrogen levels and associated symptoms such as reduced sexual function and decreased bone mineral density.
Membrane androgen receptorMembrane androgen receptors (mARs) are a group of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) which bind and are activated by testosterone and/or other androgens. Unlike the androgen receptor (AR), a nuclear receptor which mediates its effects via genomic mechanisms, mARs are cell surface receptors which rapidly alter cell signaling via modulation of intracellular signaling cascades. Known or proposed mARs include ZIP9 and GPRC6A. GPRC6A has been found to be involved in testicular function and prostate cancer.
3α-Androstanediol3α-Androstanediol also known as 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol and sometimes shortened in the literature to 3α-diol, is an endogenous steroid hormone and neurosteroid and a metabolite of androgens like dihydrotestosterone (DHT). 3α-Androstanediol is an inhibitory androstane neurosteroid and weak androgen and estrogen. As a neurosteroid, it acts as a potent positive allosteric modulator of the GABAA receptor, and has been found to have rewarding, anxiolytic, pro-sexual, and anticonvulsant effects.
DimethandroloneDimethandrolone (DMA), also known by its developmental code name CDB-1321, is an experimental androgen/anabolic steroid (AAS) and progestogen medication which is under investigation for potential clinical use. Dimethandrolone is an AAS, and hence is an agonist of the androgen receptor, the biological target of androgens like testosterone. It is also a progestin, or a synthetic progestogen, and hence is an agonist of the progesterone receptor, the biological target of progestogens like progesterone.
