How is dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) synthesized from DHEAS?

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is synthesized from dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) primarily through the action of placental sulfatase. This enzyme catalyzes the cleavage of the sulfate group from DHEAS, converting it into DHEA. This process occurs in the placenta, where DHEAS, which is more water-soluble and stable in circulation, is transported before being converted into the active form, DHEA, which can then be utilized for various biological functions, including hormone production and fetal development.

The other options, while they may involve aspects of hormonal metabolism and interaction, do not specifically describe the conversion process from DHEAS to DHEA. The metabolism by the fetal liver, conversion in maternal blood, and interaction with maternal hormones play roles in the overall endocrine environment but do not specifically relate to the direct synthesis of DHEA from DHEAS in the way placental sulfatase does. Therefore, the understanding of this enzymatic conversion is crucial when discussing the synthesis of steroid hormones during pregnancy.