Molecular biology of androgen action in genital hypoplasia associated with congenital growth hormone deficiency: a "transitory androgen insensitivity syndrome"?
Androgen receptor analyses of foreskin homogenate from a boy with congenital growth hormone deficiency revealed at age 1 and 3 years a decreased number of cytosolic binding sites for testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), compared with controls of similar age. Nuclear T receptor was not detectable at age 1 but showed abnormal high-binding capacity at age 3 years. Nuclear DHT receptor was within normal limits at both age 1 and 3 years. Receptor affinities were normal. Maximum reaction velocity of tissue-specific androgen 5 alpha-reductase A5R was decreased at age 1 year but within the normal range at age 3 years. Stretched penile length was below the third percentile at age 1 and increased to a 25th percentile at age 3 years, respectively. As the receptor and A5R data seem to indicate a "catch-up" growth, i.e., normalization of the external genitalia, we therefore postulate a "transitory" course of an androgen insensitivity in this particular patient.
Lischka
A
A
Department of Pediatrics, University of Vienna, Austria.
D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D000375:Aging; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000378:metabolism; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000172:deficiency*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D010413:Penis / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000378:metabolism; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D013739:Testosterone; D013006:Growth Hormone; D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase