Background:

7-Dehydrocholesterol is biosynthetic precursor of cholesterol and vitamin D3.

7-Dehydrocholesterol is a biosynthetic precursor of cholesterol and vitamin D3. 7-Dehydrocholesterol is present in relatively high concentration in skin where it is converted to pre-vitamin D3 upon UV irradiation and where it is also exposed to exogenous radical sources and oxygen[1].

[1]. Xu L, et al. Oxysterols from free radical chain oxidation of 7-dehydrocholesterol: product and mechanistic studies. J Am Chem Soc. 2010 Feb 24;132(7):2222-32.