Peripheral conversion and uptake of androgens in a XXY-man with Klinefelter's syndrome.
The conversion of 3H-testosterone and the uptake of 3H-testosterone and 3H-5alpha-dihydrotestosterone were investigated in pubic skin and pubic hair follicles of a XXY-man with inadequate pubic hair. The uptake of both androgens was demonstrated in the skin as well as in the hair follicles. Similarly the activity of steroid 5alpha-reductase was present in both tissues. The total conversion of 3H-testosterone was 2-3 times higher in the patient than in control persons. In the XXY-man the major metabolites were 5alpha- and 5beta-androstanediols, whereas in the normal men 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone and 4-androstenedione were mainly formed from testosterone. An explanation of the inadequate growth of pubic hair in our patient seems to be related to a conversion of testosterone - at its low plasma level - to its relatively inactive metabolites.
D000328:Adult; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D006197:Hair / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007713:Klinefelter Syndrome / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009928:Organ Specificity; D012729:Sex Chromosome Aberrations; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism*
D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D013739:Testosterone