Master 5 Alpha Reductase Deficiency with Picmonic for Medicine

This enzyme normally converts testosterone to 5 alpha dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in peripheral tissues. Therefore, a defect in this enzyme leads to the inability to convert testosterone to DHT.

Individuals with a 5 alpha reductase deficiency are born with normal internal genitalia including testicles and Wolffian structures but usually have ambiguous external genitalia until puberty.

DHT is a potent androgen that is necessary for the development of male external genitalia in utero. Therefore, individuals with 5 alpha reductase deficiency typically have ambiguous external genitalia until puberty.

During puberty around age twelve, it is hypothesized that rising testosterone levels are able to generate sufficient levels of DHT to undergo some masculinization including descending of the testes, growth of facial/body hair, deepening of the voice, and enlargement of penis.

Individuals with this disorder typically have normal or slightly increased leutinizing hormone levels and often have normal testosterone/estrogen levels as compared to androgen insensitivity syndrome which has elevated LH, testosterone, and estrogen levels.

Individuals with this disorder typically have normal or slightly increased leutinizing hormone levels and often have normal testosterone/estrogen levels as compared to androgen insensitivity syndrome which has elevated LH, testosterone, and estrogen levels.