Pronunciation: ( ˌ )d ē - ˌ h ī -dr ō - ˌ e-p ē -an- ' dräs-t ə - ˌ r ō n
Function: noun
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary de- + hydr- + epi- + androsterone
Date: 1961
: a weakly androgenic ketosteroid C 19 H 28 O 2 secreted by the adrenal glands that is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of testosterone and estrogens (as estradiol) also : a synthetic derivative of this compound ― abbreviation DHEA