Androstenedione

Androstenedione is a C-19 androgenic steroid produced by the adrenal glands and gonads, serving as a key intermediary in the biosynthesis of both testosterone and oestrone via aromatase. In salivary hormone profiling, androstenedione reflects the activity of the androgen biosynthetic pathway and adrenal androgenic drive, with elevations indicating heightened adrenal androgen production that may precede frank testosterone dysregulation in overtraining. As a direct testosterone precursor it provides mechanistic insight into the androgen:cortisol axis disruption observed in non-functional overreaching.