Steroids Excreted by Human Skin: C19-Steroids in Axillary Hair

The study analyzed axillary hair from sexually mature healthy males and females, identifying seven free androgen steroids and four C19-steroid sulphates. It found that free steroids like 4-androstene-3 beta, 17 beta-diol, testosterone, and others were present in nanomol amounts, while sulphate steroids such as dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate were found in amounts approximately 1,000 times higher. The research suggested that free steroids in hair were products of sebaceous glands, whereas sulphate ester steroids originated from sweat glands.