What is the chief female androgen?

• A. Testosterone
• B. Dihydrotestosterone
• C. Androstenedione
• D. Dehydroepiandrosterone

Answer: (C)

Androstenedione is the main circulating androgen in women because it serves as the primary precursor to both testosterone and estrogens and is produced in larger amounts by the adrenals and ovaries. In female physiology, testosterone is present but at lower circulating levels, while DHEA is a weaker androgen and mainly acts as a precursor rather than the principal active androgen. DHT is a potent androgen but is typically formed inside tissues from testosterone and does not circulate in high levels. So, androstenedione stands out as the chief female androgen due to its abundance and its central role as a precursor to other androgens and estrogens.