4, 4-Dimethyl-14alpha-formyl-5alpha-cholesta-8-en-3beta-ol is a 3-beta-hydroxysterol that is an intermediate in cholesterol biosynthesis. It is a substrate for lanosterol 14alpha-demethylase (CYP51A1) and can be generated from the enzymatic oxidation of 4,4-dimethyl-14alpha-hydroxymethyl-5alpha-cholesta-8-en-3beta-ol. The sequence of reactions and the types of intermediates in cholesterol biosynthesis may vary. Alternate routes exist because reduction of the carbon 24,25 double bond on the hydrocarbon side chain of the sterol ring structure by sterol delta24-reductase can occur at multiple points in the pathway, giving rise to different intermediates. These intermediates, with or without a double bond in the hydrocarbon side chain, can serve as substrates for the other enzymes in the pathway.