Skip to Content
Merck
All Photos(1)

Key Documents

P2016

Sigma-Aldrich

3α,21-Dihydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one

≥95%

Synonym(s):

21-Hydroxyallopregnanolone, 5α-Pregnane-3α,21-diol-20-one, 5α-THDOC, Allopregnane-3α,21-diol-20-one, Allotetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone

Sign Into View Organizational & Contract Pricing


About This Item

Empirical Formula (Hill Notation):
C21H34O3
CAS Number:
Molecular Weight:
334.49
EC Number:
MDL number:
UNSPSC Code:
12352200
PubChem Substance ID:
NACRES:
NA.77

Quality Level

Assay

≥95%

form

powder

SMILES string

[H][C@@]12CC[C@@]3([H])[C@]4([H])CC[C@H](C(=O)CO)[C@@]4(C)CC[C@]3([H])[C@@]1(C)CC[C@@H](O)C2

InChI

1S/C21H34O3/c1-20-9-7-14(23)11-13(20)3-4-15-16-5-6-18(19(24)12-22)21(16,2)10-8-17(15)20/h13-18,22-23H,3-12H2,1-2H3/t13-,14+,15-,16-,17-,18+,20-,21-/m0/s1

InChI key

CYKYBWRSLLXBOW-GDYGHMJCSA-N

General description

3α21-Dihydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one (THDOC) is a neurosteroid. It is synthesized in a two-step process from deoxycorticosterone (DOC) via 5α-dihydrodeoxycorticosterone (DHDOC) intermediate with enzymes 5α-reductase and 3α-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase catalyzing these steps respectively.

Application

3α,21-Dihydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one (THDOC) has been used:
  • as an γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor (γ-GABAA) agonist in voltage-clamp measurements studies in Xenopus oocytes
  • to test its effect on the spike-wave discharges (SWD) finasteride-treated rats
  • in electrophysiological studies with dentate granule cells (DGCs) post controlled cortical impact (CCI) -induced brain injury

Biochem/physiol Actions

3α,21-Dihydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one (THDOC) is a positive allosteric modulator of the γ-aminobutyric acid A receptor (GABAA). By modulating GABAA receptor, THDOC allows sustained hyperpolarization and an increase in chloride influx and membrane conductance in neurons. THDOC, thus modulates neuronal excitability. It possesses anxiolytic, anticonvulsant and sedative properties. The levels of THDOC show variation in different physiological states. A low THDOC level in the mensural phase is speculated to play a role in the pathogenesis of catamenial epilepsy (CE) in women. However, elevated levels are reported in depression. THDOC may have an indirect role in the hypothalamic-pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis activation during acute stress.

Features and Benefits

This compound is a featured product for Neuroscience research. Click here to discover more featured Neuroscience products. Learn more about bioactive small molecules for other areas of research at sigma.com/discover-bsm.

Storage Class Code

11 - Combustible Solids

WGK

WGK 3

Flash Point(F)

Not applicable

Flash Point(C)

Not applicable

Personal Protective Equipment

dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves

Choose from one of the most recent versions:

Certificates of Analysis (COA)

Lot/Batch Number

Don't see the Right Version?

If you require a particular version, you can look up a specific certificate by the Lot or Batch number.

Already Own This Product?

Find documentation for the products that you have recently purchased in the Document Library.

Visit the Document Library

Lihua Wang et al.
The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience, 28(47), 12445-12452 (2008-11-21)
The sympathetic tone is primarily defined by the level of activity of the sympathetic preganglionic neurons. We report a novel inhibitory influence on sympathetic activity, that of tonic GABAergic inhibition which could have a profound global effect on sympathetic outflow.
Marco Bortolato et al.
Neuropharmacology, 60(7-8), 1301-1308 (2011-01-25)
Isolation rearing (IR), a well-established rat model of early chronic psychosocial stress, engenders marked behavioral alterations related to changes of dopamine (DA) neurotransmission in cortical and subcortical brain regions. Stress-induced shifts in γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic signaling have been implicated in
Antonella Tuveri et al.
Epilepsia, 49(7), 1221-1229 (2008-03-08)
Seizure exacerbation in catamenial epilepsy (CE) is associated with the decrease in progesterone secretion and increase in estradiol secretion during the premenstrual period. Moreover, experimental evidence suggests that tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (THDOC), a positive modulator of the type A receptor for gamma-aminobutyric
Junn-Liang Chang et al.
American journal of physiology. Renal physiology, 299(1), F43-F48 (2010-04-02)
Recently, we demonstrated a chronic neurosteroid-dependent inhibition of activity-dependent spinal reflex potentiation (SRP), but it remains unclear whether neurosteroids acutely modulate SRP induction. This study shows progesterone as well as two of its 3alpha,5alpha-derivatives, allopregnalonone and 3alpha,5alpha-tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (THDOC), to be
Roland Baur et al.
Journal of neurochemistry, 111(5), 1172-1181 (2009-09-22)
Delta (delta) subunit containing GABA(A) receptors are expressed extra-synaptically and mediate tonic inhibition. In cerebellar granule cells, they often form a receptor together with alpha(6) subunits. We were interested to determine the architecture of these receptors. We predefined the subunit

Our team of scientists has experience in all areas of research including Life Science, Material Science, Chemical Synthesis, Chromatography, Analytical and many others.

Contact Technical Service