Ketosteroids

Steroid derivatives formed by oxidation of a methyl group on the side chain or a methylene group in the ring skeleton to form a ketone.


A steroid such as cortisone which contains a ketone groups.


Steroids, a group of compounds that share a chemical resemblance to cholesterol, contain ketone groups attached to carbon atoms. When the ketone is located at the 17th position of the nucleus, it is referred to as a 17-ketosteroid. Normally, these substances are found in urine, with males excreting 10-25 milligrams in a 24-hour period, and females excreting 4-15 milligrams. Lower-than-average values are seen in conditions like hypopituitarism, Addison’s disease, and hypogonadism, while Cushing’s disease and adrenal tumors can double this value. Testosterone and other androgens, which exhibit male sex hormone characteristics, fall under the category of 17-ketosteroids.


 


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