Gonadal function and pathology in 17beta-HSD 3 and 5alpha-reductase deficiency

  • Lidewij S. Boogers
  • , Hennie T. Brüggenwirth
  • , Katja P. Wolffenbuttel
  • , Remko Hersmus
  • , Jillian Bryce
  • , S. Faisal Ahmed
  • , Angela K. Lucas-Herald
  • , Federico Baronio
  • , Martine Cools
  • , Mona Ellaithi
  • , Evgenia Globa
  • , Tülay Güran
  • , Olaf Hiort
  • , Paul Martin Holterhus
  • , Kenneth MсElreavey
  • , Marek Niedziela
  • , Marianna Rita Stancampiano
  • , Buşra G. Tosun
  • , Yolande van Bever
  • , J. Wolter Oosterhuis
  • Leendert H.J. Looijenga, Sabine E. Hannema*
*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: 17β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 3 deficiency (17β-HSDD) and 5α-reductase type 2 deficiency (5α-RD) are rare 46,XY differences of sex development (DSD). This study aims to enlarge the limited knowledge on long-term gonadal function and gonadal pathology in these conditions. DESIGN: Retrospective multicentre cohort study. METHODS: Data on phenotype, laboratory results, and hormone treatment were collected from patients aged ≥16 years at time of data collection with genetically confirmed 17β-HSDD and 5α-RD from 10 centres via the I-DSD Registry. If gonadectomy or gonadal biopsy had been performed, pathology reports and/or gonadal tissue or images were collected. RESULTS: All 16 patients with 17β-HSDD were raised female; 1 (6%) changed to male gender at age 14. Three females were treated with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) to prevent virilisation. Thirteen underwent gonadectomy at median age 8 (range 0-17). None had germ cell (pre)malignancies. Of 14 patients with 5α-RD, 10 (71%) were raised female. Five changed gender at age 7-23, of whom 4 to male gender. One was treated with GnRHa. Six underwent gonadectomy at median age 10 (range 0-31). None had germ cell (pre)malignancies. With gonads in situ, puberty spontaneously progressed. Three were treated with dihydrotestosterone. CONCLUSIONS: A significant percentage of individuals with 17β-HSDD and 5α-RD changed gender, and some were treated with GnRHa to prevent virilisation before making a definitive decision about gonadectomy. When left in situ, spontaneous puberty occurs and germ cell (pre)malignancies seem uncommon at least until early adulthood. Together, these data support delaying a decision about gonadectomy until late adolescence in these conditions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)34-45
Number of pages12
JournalEuropean Journal of Endocrinology
Volume192
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 6 Jan 2025

Keywords

  • 17beta-HSD deficiency
  • 5alpha-reductase deficiency
  • disorder of sex development
  • germ cell cancer
  • hypogonadism
  • puberty
  • testis

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