hrp0089p2-p363 | Sex Differentiation, Gonads and Gynaecology or Sex Endocrinology P2 | ESPE2018

The Human Genital Tubercle is Steroidogenic Organ at Earlypregnancy

Savchuk Iuliia , Morvan Marie-Line , Philippe Antignac Jean , Gemzell-Danielsson Kristina , Le Bizec Bruno , Soder Olle , Svechnikov Konstantin

It is generally accepted that androgens produced by fetal Leydig cells (FLC) control proper masculinization of the male external genitalia. Here, we hypothesized that the human genital tubercle (GT) has potential to synthesize androgens independently of FLC at early pregnancy. We observed that human GT of both genders have capacity to synthesize steroids of the Δ4, Δ5 and alternative pathway of DHT synthesis including the androgen itself. The presence of steroids in ...