3a-Dihydroprogesterone (3a-DHP), also known as 3a-hydroxyprogesterone, is an endogenous neurosteroid. It is biosynthesized by 3a-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase from progesterone. 3a-DHP has been found to act as a positive allosteric modulator of the GABAA receptor and is described as being as active as allopregnanolone in regard to this action. In accordance, it has anxiolytic effects (= decreasing anxiety) in animals. 3a-DHP has also been found to inhibit the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the rat pituitary gland, demonstrating possible antigonadotrophic properties.
3a- and 20a- dihydroprogesterone, have tumor-inhibitory properties in breast cancer
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