Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references
Chemical compound
3α-Dihydroprogesterone (3α-DHP), also known as 3α-hydroxyprogesterone, as well as pregn-4-en-3α-ol-20-one, is an endogenousneurosteroid.[1] It is biosynthesized by 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase from progesterone.[1] 3α-DHP has been found to act as a positive allosteric modulator of the GABAA receptor and is described as being as active as allopregnanolone in regard to this action.[1] In accordance, it has anxiolytic effects in animals.[2] 3α-DHP has also been found to inhibit the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the rat pituitary gland, demonstrating possible antigonadotropic properties.[1] Unlike the case of most other inhibitory neurosteroids, 3α-DHP production is not blocked by 5α-reductase inhibitors like finasteride.[1] No data were available on the progestogenic activity of 3α-DHP as of 1977.[3] Levels of 5α-DHP have been quantified.[4]
^Kavaliers, Martin; Wiebe, John P.; Galea, Liisa A.M. (1 May 1994). "Reduction of predator odor-induced anxiety in mice by the neurosteroid 3 alpha-hydroxy-4-pregnen-20-one (3 alpha HP)". Brain Research. 645 (1–2): 325–329. doi:10.1016/0006-8993(94)91667-5. ISSN0006-8993. PMID7914815. S2CID53259529. WikidataQ48124086.
^Junkermann H, Runnebaum B, Lisboa BP (July 1977). "New progesterone metabolites in human myometrium". Steroids. 30 (1): 1–14. doi:10.1016/0039-128x(77)90131-3. PMID919010.