Progesterone (abbreviated as P4 ), also known as pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione , is an endogenous steroid and progestogen sex hormone involved in the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and embryogenesis of humans and other species. It belongs to a group of steroid hormones called the progestogens, and is the major progestogen in the body. Progesterone is also a crucial metabolic intermediate in the production of other endogenous steroids, including the sex hormones and the corticosteroids, and plays an important role in brain function as a neurosteroid.
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| Pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione |
| Trade names | Utrogestan, Prometrium, Endometrin, Crinone |
|---|---|
| AHFS/Drugs.com | monograph |
| MedlinePlus | a604017 |
| Pregnancy category |
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| Routes of administration | Oral, transdermal, vaginal, rectal, intramuscular or subcutaneous injection, implant |
| Bioavailability | 10–15% (oral)[1] |
|---|---|
| Protein binding | 96%–99% |
| Metabolism | Hepatic (CYP2C19, CYP3A4, CYP2C9)[2][3] |
| Biological half-life | 16–18 hours (oral)[4] |
| Excretion | Renal |
| CAS Number | 57-83-0 |
|---|---|
| ATC code | G03DA04 |
| PubChem | CID: 5994 |
| IUPHAR/BPS | 2377 |
| DrugBank | DB00396 |
| ChemSpider | 5773 |
| UNII | 4G7DS2Q64Y |
| KEGG | C00410 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:17026 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL103 |
| Synonyms | 4-pregnene-3,20-dione |
| Formula | C21H30O2 |
|---|---|
| Molecular mass | 314.46 g/mol |
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InChI[show] |
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| Melting point | 126 °C (259 °F) |
|---|---|
| Specific rotation | [α]D |