What is the effect of 5 α-reductase deficiency?
A) the male internal reproductive tract is not formed
B) the penis formed is small and resembles a clitoris
C) the scrotum is completely formed
D) excessive dihydrotestosterone is produced
E) dihydrotestosterone gets converted to testosterone

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

5 α-reductase deficiency results in a decrease in the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), leading to incomplete masculinization of the external genitalia in male fetuses. This can cause the penis to be small and resemble a clitoris, while the scrotum is completely formed. DHT is a more potent androgen than testosterone, so the deficiency in its production can also result in some degree of ambiguous genitalia in female fetuses. Excessive production of DHT is not a characteristic of 5 α-reductase deficiency.

What Is the Effect of 5 α-Reductase Deficiency