Which hormone is considered a precursor to sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen?

The hormone recognized as a precursor to sex hormones such as testosterone and estrogen is DHEA-S (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate). DHEA and its sulfate form (DHEA-S) are produced primarily by the adrenal glands and serve as a foundational building block for the synthesis of sex hormones.

DHEA-S undergoes various enzymatic conversions to form both androgens and estrogens. For instance, it can be converted to testosterone, which is an androgen, and then further aromatized to estradiol, one of the primary estrogens. This role as a precursor is critical because it illustrates how DHEA-S contributes to the hormonal balance and sex hormone production in the body.

The other hormones listed, such as estradiol, progesterone, and estriol, are more specific end products in the hormonal pathways rather than precursors. Estradiol and estriol are types of estrogen, produced following the conversion from precursors like DHEA-S. Similarly, progesterone is primarily produced from pregnenolone and is involved in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy but is not a precursor to sex hormones in the same metabolic pathway as DHEA-S. Understanding the role of DHEA-S