embryo query - upinthesky

[ArchivalUser]

regarding androstenedion, does it have the same activity as the testosterone?
because i read that in 17 B dehydrogenase defeciency, which is the enzyme responsible for the formation of testosterone from androstenedion, the male internal sexual structures ( seminefrous tubules...etc) are gonna be normal!! and these structure, to develop in the embryo, need testosterone!!!
anybody? hoping, ebna....

[ArchivalUser]

It states in harrisons that minimal masculinization would occur as in 5alpha deficiency. However, the changes at puberty would be more pernounced with 5 alpha def(penis at 12 syndrome) than with 17 Beta def. So a male pseudohermaphridite would be the case....good question

GL

[ArchivalUser]

oh ok.. so during fetal development, the androstenedion would be sufficient to ensure normal development of the internal male sexual structure, but upon puberty, it would only produce minimal virilization to the ''phenotypic'' female.. right?