5α-dihydrotestosterone (5α-DHT)
Seen to act like a strong testosterone and is the most potent androgen (three times more than testosterone). It has two to three times greater androgen receptor affinity than testosterone and has 15-30 times greater affinity than adrenal androgens.
It is made in liver and target cells.
5β-Androstanediol
Seen to act like a strong testosterone and represents 5α-DHT best.
Aggressive prostate cancer (over inhibition of 5a reducatse enzyme activity)
5α-Androstanediol
A weak Testosterone metabolite
5a reductase enzyme converts testosterone to:
5a-DHT and 5b-DHT (inactive testosterone)
3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzyme converts 5a-DHT and 5b-DHT to 5α- and 5β-androstanediol