What is the Difference Between Testosterone and DHT

The key difference between testosterone and DHT is that testosterone is a male sex hormone formed from DHEA precursor due to the actions of enzymes 17 βHSD and 3 βHSD in testicles, while DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is a male sex hormone formed from testosterone due to the action of enzyme 5 α-reductase in certain tissues, including prostate glands, seminal vesicles, epididymides, skin, hair follicles, liver, and brain.

Androgens are a group of sex hormones. They help to start puberty and play a vital role in male reproductive health. Androgens are also very important for male body development. Testosterone and DHT are two androgens that are very important for the reproductive function of males.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Testosterone  
3. What is DHT
4. Similarities – Testosterone and DHT
5. Testosterone vs DHT in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Testosterone vs DHT

What is Testosterone?

Testosterone is the main sex hormone of males. It is formed from DHEA precursors due to the actions of enzymes 17 βHSD and 3 βHSD in testicles. It is the primary sex hormone and anabolic steroid in males. In humans, it plays several key functions. Testosterone is very important for the development of male reproductive tissues such as testes and prostate. Moreover, it is also important in promoting secondary sexual characteristics such as muscle and bone mass and the growth of body hair in males. In addition to that, testosterone in both sexes is involved in controlling health, wellbeing, moods, behavior, and the prevention of osteoporosis.

Testosterone is a steroid from the androstane class. It contains a ketone and ahydroxyl group at positions three and seventeen in the structure. Testosterone is a biosynthesized form of cholesterol. First, cholesterol converts to DHEA, and it later converts to testosterone hormone. Testosterone is secreted mainly from the testicles of males. However, to a lesser extent, it can also secrete from the ovaries of females. Furthermore, in addition to its role as a natural hormone, testosterone is also used as a medication in the treatment of hypogonadism in men. It can also be used in the treatment of breast cancer in women.

What is DHT (Dihydrotestosterone)?

DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is a male sex hormone formed from testosterone due to the action of enzyme 5 α-reductase in certain tissues, including the prostate gland, seminal vesicles, epididymides, skin, hair follicles, liver, and brain. This enzyme catalyzes the reduction of C4-5 bond of testosterone to yield DHT. Generally, relative to testosterone, DHT is a more potent agonist of the androgen receptor.

The DHT hormone is very important in the sexual differentiation of the male genitalia during embryogenesis and maturation of the penis and scrotum at puberty. Its role is also vital in the growth of facial, body and pubic hair, and the development of prostate glands and seminal vesicles. In addition to the use as a natural hormone, DHT is also used as a medication. DHT is used in the condition of low testosterone levels in men.

What are the Similarities Between Testosterone and DHT?

• Testosterone and DHT are two androgens (male sex hormones).
• They are important for the reproductive function of males.
• Both are steroids hormones.
• These hormones can be found in both sexes, but they are predominantly present in males than females.
• They are also used as medications.

What is the Difference Between Testosterone and DHT?

Testosterone is a male sex hormone formed from DHEA precursor due to the actions of enzymes 17 βHSD and 3 βHSD in testicles while DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is a male sex hormone formed from testosterone due to the action of enzyme 5 α-reductase in certain tissues, including prostate glands, seminal vesicles, epididymides, skin, hair follicles, liver, and brain. This is the key difference between testosterone and DHT. Furthermore, testosterone is a less potent agonist of the androgen receptor, while DHT is a more potent agonist of the androgen receptor.

The below infographic presents the differences between testosterone and DHT in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Testosterone vs DHT

Testosterone and DHT are two androgens (male sex hormones). Testosterone is formed from DHEA precursor due to the actions of enzymes 17 βHSD and 3 βHSD in testicles, while DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is formed from testosterone due to the action of enzyme 5 α-reductase in certain tissues, including prostate glands, seminal vesicles, epididymides, skin, hair follicles, liver, and brain. So, this summarizes the difference between testosterone and DHT.

Reference:

1. “Testosterone: Functions, Deficiencies, and Supplements.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International.
2.“Dihydrotestosterone.” You and Your Hormones.

Image Courtesy:

1. “1-testosterone” By Xasodfuih – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Dihydrotestosterone molecule ball” By Jynto (more from this user) – Own work.  This image was created with Discovery Studio Visualizer. (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia