THE METABOLISM OF TESTOSTERONE BY HUMAN SKIN IN DISORDERS OF HAIR GROWTH

Abstract

SUMMARY The metabolism of testosterone by skin from patients with disorders of hair growth in the presence of normal testosterone levels has been studied in vitro and compared with the metabolic activity of normal skin. The main metabolites formed were dihydrotestosterone, androstenedione, androsterone and androstanedione. In four out of six females with hirsutism, the skin produced increased amounts of dihydrotestosterone and also androstenedione. A patient with the rare condition of unilateral hirsutism showed no difference in metabolic activity between the hirsute and non-hirsute sides. In localized failure of androgenically determined hair growth, seen in three beardless males, the metabolism of the hairless area was greater than that of the normally hairy abdomen. Four patients with testicular feminization and complete absence of body hair were studied and the formation of dihydrotestosterone ranged from low to high normal levels.