Normal bone density in male pseudohermaphroditism due to 5alpha- reductase 2 deficiency

• Main Author: Costa,Elaine Maria Frade
• Publication Date: 2001
• Other Authors: Arnhold,Ivo Jorge Prado, Inacio,Marlene, Mendonca,Berenice Bilharinho
• Format: Article
• Language: eng
• Source: Revista do Hospital das Clínicas
• Download full: http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0041-87812001000500002
• topic: Bone mineral density; Male pseudohermaphroditism; 5alpha-reductase type 2 deficiency

Bone is an androgen-dependent tissue, but it is not clear whether the androgen action in bone depends on testosterone or on dihydrotestosterone. Patients with 5alpha-reductase 2 deficiency present normal levels of testosterone and low levels of dihydrotestosterone, providing an in vivo human model for the analysis of the effect of testosterone on bone. OBJECTIVE: To analyze bone mineral density in 4 adult patients with male pseudohermaphroditism due to 5alpha-reductase 2 deficiency. RESULTS: Three patients presented normal bone mineral density of the lumbar column (L1-L4) and femur neck, and the other patient presented a slight osteopenia in the lumbar column. CONCLUSION: Patients with dihydrotestosterone deficiency present normal bone mineral density, suggesting that dihydrotestosterone is not the main androgen acting in bone.