title: Developmental pattern of 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 5 alpha-reductase activities in the foreskin of boys from birth to eight years of age.
abstract: The normal developmental pattern of 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17HSD) activity in genital skin was examined using radiolabeled androstenedione as a substrate in a microassay based on high-pressure liquid chromatography separation of the metabolites. This assay allowed the simultaneous determination of 17HSD and 5 alpha-reductase (5R) activities in both individual foreskin samples and pools of tissue obtained at circumcision from birth to 8 years of age. The results show that 17HSD activity is very low at birth and increases steadily during the so-called quiescent period. Reciprocal changes were observed for 5R. The increase in 17HSD activity appears to be independent of gonadal stimulation, but the mechanisms involved remain to be elucidated. From a clinical standpoint, our results provide an alternative explanation for the relative lack of virilization observed in newborns with testicular 17HSD deficiency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Canton University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Theintz
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Steimer
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Sizonenko
mesh_terms: D015067:17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism*; D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism*; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010413:Penis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D012867:Skin / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000735:Androstenedione; D015067:17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; C032690:3-alpha-(17-beta)-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (NAD(+)); D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase