Biomaterial Database

Evidence for secondary 5 alpha-reductase deficiency in genital and supra-pubic skin of subjects with androgen insensitivity syndrome. 1988

S C Wilson, and R E Oakey, and J S Scott

Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Leeds, England.

The activity of 5 alpha-reductase in genital and supra-pubic skin (homogenate or fibroblasts) from subjects with complete or incomplete androgen insensitivity syndrome was low compared with mean activity in samples from normally differentiated male controls. Also, in two subjects with incomplete androgen insensitivity syndrome the ratio of the concentration of testosterone to that of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone in plasma was raised after hCG stimulation but normal under basal conditions. In three subjects with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome there was no evidence of raised ratios of testosterone to 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone in plasma under basal or hCG-stimulated conditions. The activities of other steroid metabolizing enzymes, e.g. 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 3 alpha/beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, were not decreased. The low 5 alpha-reductase activity of androgen insensitive subjects reported here, and by others, may imply that this enzyme in genital skin is in some way androgen dependent, or responsive to other factors associated with androgen insensitivity syndrome.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D011944	Receptors, Androgen	Proteins, generally found in the CYTOPLASM, that specifically bind ANDROGENS and mediate their cellular actions. The complex of the androgen and receptor migrates to the CELL NUCLEUS where it induces transcription of specific segments of DNA.	Androgen Receptors,5 alpha-Dihydrotestosterone Receptor,Androgen Receptor,Dihydrotestosterone Receptors,Receptor, Testosterone,Receptors, Androgens,Receptors, Dihydrotestosterone,Receptors, Stanolone,Stanolone Receptor,Testosterone Receptor,5 alpha Dihydrotestosterone Receptor,Androgens Receptors,Receptor, 5 alpha-Dihydrotestosterone,Receptor, Androgen,Receptor, Stanolone,Stanolone Receptors,alpha-Dihydrotestosterone Receptor, 5
D005260	Female		Females
D005347	Fibroblasts	Connective tissue cells which secrete an extracellular matrix rich in collagen and other macromolecules.	Fibroblast
D005835	Genitalia	The external and internal organs involved in the functions of REPRODUCTION.	Accessory Sex Organs,Genital Organs,Sex Organs, Accessory,Genital System,Genitals,Reproductive Organs,Reproductive System,Accessory Sex Organ,Genital,Genital Organ,Genital Systems,Organ, Accessory Sex,Organ, Genital,Organ, Reproductive,Organs, Accessory Sex,Organs, Genital,Organs, Reproductive,Reproductive Organ,Reproductive Systems,Sex Organ, Accessory,System, Genital,System, Reproductive,Systems, Genital,Systems, Reproductive
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293	Adolescent	A person 13 to 18 years of age.	Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults
D000728	Androgens	Compounds that interact with ANDROGEN RECEPTORS in target tissues to bring about the effects similar to those of TESTOSTERONE. Depending on the target tissues, androgenic effects can be on SEX DIFFERENTIATION; male reproductive organs, SPERMATOGENESIS; secondary male SEX CHARACTERISTICS; LIBIDO; development of muscle mass, strength, and power.	Androgen,Androgen Receptor Agonist,Androgen Effect,Androgen Effects,Androgen Receptor Agonists,Androgenic Agents,Androgenic Compounds,Agents, Androgenic,Agonist, Androgen Receptor,Agonists, Androgen Receptor,Compounds, Androgenic,Effect, Androgen,Effects, Androgen,Receptor Agonist, Androgen,Receptor Agonists, Androgen
D012867	Skin	The outer covering of the body that protects it from the environment. It is composed of the DERMIS and the EPIDERMIS.