# MALE PSEUDOHERMAPHRODITISM--THE BIOLOGY OF ANDROGENS

> **NIH NIH R01** · WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV · 1992 · $253,694

## Abstract

Male pseudohermaphrodites, particularly subjects with 5 alpha-
reductase deficiency and androgen insensitivity are unique
experiments of nature to elucidate the differential effects of
testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in male sexual
differentiation and development as well as other androgen mediated
physiologic parameters.  The proposed studies of these subjects
include; evaluation of the differential effect of T and DHT in the
negative feedback control of LH secretion through studies of the
pulsatile gonadotrophin secretory profile; definition of the roles
of T and DHT in the formation of male gender identity, elucidation
of the roles of T and DHT (prenatally and postnatally) on observed
sex differences in cognition and lateralization; and definition of
the role of DHT on sexual potency in the male.

Further animal studies with potent competitive azasteroid
inhibitors of the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase to decrease DHT
production are planned to further delineate the differential
effects of the biologic roles of testosterone and
dihydrotestosterone in male sexual differentiation and development.
Comparison studies will be carried out with the antiandrogen,
flutamide, which blocks the action of both T and DHT.  The current
proposal includes further studies to define the roles of T and DHT
in differentiation of the prostate; the cyclical release of
gonadotrophins, spermatogenesis, testicular descent; and sexual
behavior of the rat.  Studies also include evaluation of the effect
of 5 alpha-reductase deficiency on sexual differentiation in the
rabbit with particular attention toward defining the role of T and
DHT in differentiation of the Wolffian ducts and prostatic
differentiation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2196663
- **Project number:** 5R01HD009421-16
- **Recipient organization:** WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV
- **SAM.gov UEI:** YNT8TCJH8FQ8
- **Principal Investigator:** JULIANNE L IMPERATO-MCGINLEY
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1992
- **Award amount:** $253,694
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1978-06-01 → 1995-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2196663

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2196663, MALE PSEUDOHERMAPHRODITISM--THE BIOLOGY OF ANDROGENS (5R01HD009421-16). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2196663. Licensed CC0.

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