Human androgenic steroids affect growth of dermatophytes in vitro
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 3, 2026

Measuring Volatile and Non-volatile Antifungal Activity of Biocontrol Products
Published on: December 5, 2020
Abstract:
Hormonal effects on fungal growth are of particular interest to medical mycology. In the skin, androgenic steroids metabolized within pilosebaceous units may have direct effects on dermatophytes that invade hair follicles. In this study, 10(-1) to 10(2) mg 1(-1) testosterone, 5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, androstenedione and androstanedione were used in agar dilution assays to test their effects on thallus diameters of Trichophyton rubrum, Epidermophyton floccosum, T. tonsurans, T. mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis. All dermatophytes responded in a dose-dependent manner with reduced diameters of thalli. Growth of T. rubrum and E. floccosum was completely or strongly suppressed by 10(2) mg 1(-1) androstenedione and androstanedione. A minor inhibition of all strains was obtained with 10(1) to 10(2) mg 1(-1) testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone and 5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone, the last being least inhibitory for all species. Trichophyton mentagrophytes and M. canis were least responsive to most hormones. The high susceptibility of T. rubrum and E. floccosum to intrafollicular androstenedione and androstanedione could be one reason why these two species are unable to cause tinea capitis. Receptor-mediated effects and an unspecific interference with fungal sterol metabolism are discussed as mechanisms of fungal inhibition by steroidal hormones.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Antifungal Agents
Skin Diseases and Disorders
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Acne Infection
The Skin Microbiota

