α-Androstenol  (Synonyms: 5α-Androst-16-en-3α-ol)

α-Androstenol (5α-Androst-16-en-3α-ol) is a steroid pheromone that has been found in boar testes and male axillary sweat. α-Androstenol is also a positive allosteric modulator of GABAA receptors, which enhances GABA-activated currents in primary mouse cerebellar granule cells (EC₅₀ of 0.4 μM). α-Androstenol produces anxiolytic-like, antidepressant-like, and anticonvulsant effects in mice. α-Androstenol can be used for the research of seizures^[1][2].

α-Androstenol potently and stereoselectively enhances GABA-activated currents in primary cultured mouse cerebellar granule cells (DIV 7) with an EC₅₀ of 0.382 μM^[1].
α-Androstenol enhances GABA-activated currents in granule cells from mouse cerebellar slices (postnatal day 11-12) with an EC₅₀ of 1.4 μM^[1].
α-Androstenol (0.1-1 μM; 15-20 s preapplication, coapplied with GABA) potentiates GABA-activated currents in HEK 293 cells expressing recombinant α1β2γ₂ or α2β2γ₂ GABAA receptors in a concentration-dependent manner^[1].
α-Androstenol (1-300 μM) directly activates α1β2γ₂ GABA_A receptors in HEK 293 cells, with maximal responses equivalent to ~30% of the 5 μM GABA response^[1].
α-Androstenol (0.1 μM) prolongs the decay of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents in primary cultured mouse cerebellar granule cells (DIV 7) without altering peak amplitude^[1].

MedChemExpress (MCE) has not independently confirmed the accuracy of these methods. They are for reference only.

α-Androstenol (10-50 mg/kg; i.p.; single injection) produces anxiolytic-like effects in the mouse open-field test at doses of 30 and 50 mg/kg, as measured by increased time spent in the central arena, reduced latency to open-arm entry, increased open-arm entries, and increased time spent in open arms^[1].
α-Androstenol (100-300 mg/kg; i.p.; single injection) causes motor impairment in the mouse horizontal screen test with a TD₅₀ of 181 mg/kg^[1].
α-Androstenol (5-30 mg/kg; i.p.; single injection) produces antidepressant-like effects in the mouse forced swim test at doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg, as measured by reduced immobility time, while the 30 mg/kg dose is inactive^[1].
α-Androstenol (10-100 mg/kg; i.p.; single injection) protects against seizures in the mouse 6-Hz electroshock model with an ED₅₀ of 21.9 mg/kg^[1].
α-Androstenol (10-100 mg/kg; i.p.; single injection) protects against pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures in mice with an ED₅₀ of 48.9 mg/kg^[1].

MedChemExpress (MCE) has not independently confirmed the accuracy of these methods. They are for reference only.

274.44

C₁₉H₃₀O

1153-51-1

Solid

White to off-white

[H][C@@]12CC=C[C@]1(CC[C@]3([C@]2(CC[C@]4(C[C@@H](CC[C@]34C)O)[H])[H])[H])C

Room temperature in continental US; may vary elsewhere.

* Please refer to the solubility information to select the appropriate solvent. Once prepared, please aliquot and store the solution to prevent product inactivation from repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Storage method and period of stock solution: -80°C, 6 months; -20°C, 1 month. When stored at -80°C, please use it within 6 months. When stored at -20°C, please use it within 1 month.

• [1]. Kaminski RM, et al. The pheromone androstenol (5 alpha-androst-16-en-3 alpha-ol) is a neurosteroid positive modulator of GABAA receptors. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2006 May;317(2):694-703.  [Content Brief]

  [2]. Starkenmann C, et al. 5α-Androst-16-en-3α-ol β-D-glucuronide, precursor of 5α-androst-16-en-3α-ol in human sweat. Chem Biodivers. 2013;10(12):2197-2208.  [Content Brief]