Isolated mild clitoral hypertrophy may reveal 46,XY disorders of sex development in infancy due to 17βHSD-3 defect confirmed by molecular analysis

Abstract

Aims. 17-β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3 (17βHSD-3) is expressed exclusively in the testes where it converts Δ4 androstenedione (Δ4) to testosterone (T). Here, we report a patient with a rare mutation at a critical site in HSD17B3 gene leading to deficiency of 17β HSD-3 enzyme.

Methods. We describe a 3-year old healthy female of consanguineous Lebanese descent, who presented to the endocrine service with isolated mild clitoromegaly. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) stimulation tests were performed. Genes for sex-determining region Y (SRY), steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1) and 17βHSD-3 (HSD17B3) were sequenced.

Results. The post-hCG stimulation T levels and T/Δ4 ratio was low. Patient had a 46,XY karyotype. Sequence analysis of the HSD17B3 gene revealed a homozygous R80W missense mutation on exon 3. No mutation was found in SRY and SF1 genes. Mullerian structures were not detected on pelvic imaging.

Conclusions. A low T/Δ4 ratio is indicative of 17βHSD-3 deficiency and associated with isolated clitoromegaly. The R80 site is critical for NADPH binding, thus the mutation at this site leads to 17βHSD-3 deficiency presenting as 46,XY disorder of sex development.

Keywords:

• 46,XY disorder of sex development (DSD)
• 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3 (17βHSD-3) deficiency
• Δ4 androstenedione
• testosterone
• human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr. Ewa Gawlick for her cooperation and help in the care of this patient.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.