TLDR Epitestosterone may counteract testosterone's effects and has roles in body processes like prostate growth and hair distribution.
Epitestosterone, a natural epimer of testosterone, was long thought to lack hormonal activity and a clear biosynthetic pathway. However, studies revealed its role in counteracting testosterone's effects, such as competitive binding to androgen receptors, inhibiting testosterone biosynthesis, and reducing dihydrotestosterone. This antiandrogenic activity was observed in rats, mice, and human tissues, suggesting epitestosterone's potential in regulating androgen-dependent events like prostate growth and body hair distribution. Its stable urinary ratio with testosterone is crucial for doping control, as it remains unaffected by exogenous testosterone.
47 citations,
January 2001 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” High testosterone to epitestosterone ratio in hair could predict male-pattern baldness.
35 citations,
November 1989 in “Journal of steroid biochemistry/Journal of Steroid Biochemistry” Epitestosterone may act as a weak antiandrogen and can inhibit an enzyme involved in testosterone metabolism.
27 citations,
January 1984 in “Pharmacology & Therapeutics” Antiandrogens have important biological effects, but more research is needed to understand them fully and compare their effectiveness and side effects to other treatments.
53 citations,
October 1984 in “Endocrine reviews” Excessive hair growth in women often has no known cause and is not linked to race or other hormonal symptoms.
16 citations,
June 2008 in “Springer eBooks” Over 50% of women over 50 experience hair loss, with minoxidil being the only proven effective treatment.
May 2023 in “IntechOpen eBooks” More research is needed to understand how testosterone is maintained in adult males.
18 citations,
April 2011 in “International Journal of Molecular Medicine” Dihydrotestosterone causes p27 protein breakdown in ovarian and breast cancer cells by binding with SKP2.
