Noun
pregnenolone (usually uncountable, plural pregnenolones)
(biochemistry, steroids) A steroid prohormone involved in the steroidogenesis of progesterone, mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, androgens, and estrogens.
After the production of pregnenolone, specific enzymes of each cortical layer further modify it. Source: Internet
Usually a number of intermediate steps in which pregnenolone is modified several times are required to form the functional hormones. citation Enzymes that catalyze reactions in these metabolic pathways are involved in a number of endocrine diseases. Source: Internet