Conversion of cholesterol to adrenal cortical hormones

Cholesterol is the major precursor and undergoes side chain cleavage to form Δ⁵–pregnenolone, releasing a C₆ aldehyde, isocaproaldehyde, Δ⁵-pregnenolone is mandatory in the synthesis of all steroid hormones. Pregnenolone can be converted directly to progesterone, which requires two plasmic enzymes, 3-β-OH dehydrogenase and Δ^4.5 isomerase. The dehydrogenase converts the 3 OH group of pregnenolone to a 3-keto group, and the isomerase moves the double bond from the B-ring to the A-ring to produce progesterone, which is converted to aldosterone (or) cortisol.