Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2025

Establishment of Rat Models Mimicking Gender-affirming Hormone Therapies
Published on: January 10, 2025
5α Reductase Deficiency-a Rare Cause of Ambiguous Genitalia and Gender Dysphoria
1Department of Endocrinology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick 2031, NSW, Australia.
Abstract:
We present a case of pseudovaginal perineoscrotal hypospadias, secondary to 5α-reductase deficiency presenting as gender dysphoria. This particular enzyme deficiency accounts for only a small number of disorders of sexual development cases worldwide. A feature of this disorder is the presence of ambiguous genitalia at birth followed by the development of male secondary sexual characteristics during puberty when testicular production of testosterone can compensate for previous low circulating levels of 5-dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Our described patient, raised female, presented with gender dysphoria with no male secondary sexual features given a bilateral orchidectomy in infancy. Initial testing showed biochemical primary hypogonadism and whole-genomic sequencing demonstrated pathogenic compound heterozygous variants in the SRD5A2 gene. Treatment was commenced with injectable testosterone undecanoate leading to development of desired male secondary sexual characteristics.
Related Concept Videos
Sex-linked Disorders
Development of the Sexual Organs in the Embryo and Fetus
Near the gonadal ridges, two duct systems are present: the mesonephric ducts (Wolffian ducts) and paramesonephric ducts (Müllerian ducts). These ducts form the basis for the...
Disorders of the Male Reproductive System
Prostate disorders are another major concern. These conditions can impair urinary flow due to the prostate's location around the urethra....
The Y Chromosome Determines Maleness
Evolution
Around 300 million years ago, the two sex chromosomes diverged from two identical autosomal chromosomes. Over time, the Y chromosome has lost most of its genes, shrinking in size....
Pedigree Analysis
X-linked Traits

