Definition

A substance in the body that helps produce various hormones, including progesterone and other steroid hormones.

Example

Pregnenolone is often referred to as the mother hormone because it is a precursor to many other hormones.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of pregnenolone?

I think I've come across it in some health articles, but I'm not sure what it does.

It's actually a steroid prohormone that helps with hormone production.

That sounds interesting! I should read more about it.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Pregnenolone is formed from "pre-" (meaning before) and "gnen" (from the Greek "gignesthai", meaning to be born or to come into being) and "-olone" (a suffix used in chemistry to denote a steroid). The word refers to a steroid hormone that is a precursor to other hormones, thus it is something that comes before the formation of other hormones.

Memory Tip

Think of 'before' ('pre-') and 'coming into being' ('gnen') to remember that pregnenolone is a precursor hormone that leads to the creation of other hormones.

Visually Confused Words