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J Clin Endocrin Metab. First published ahead of print April 30, 2013 as doi:10.1210/jc.2012-3893
Molecular Diagnosis of 5␣-Reductase Deficiency in 4
Elite Young Female Athletes Through Hormonal
Screening for Hyperandrogenism
Patrick Fénichel, Françoise Paris, Pascal Philibert, Sylvie Hiéronimus, Laura Gaspari,Jean-Yves Kurzenne, Patrick Chevallier, Stéphane Bermon, Nicolas Chevalier, andCharles Sultan Department of Reproductive Endocrinology and Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche MédicaleUnité 1065 (P.F., S.H., N.C.), Hospital of L’Archet, University Hospital of Nice, 06200 Nice, France;Department of Hormonology and Pediatric Endocrinology (F.P., P.P., L.G., C.S.), Lapeyronie Hospital,Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, 34295 Montpellier, France; Departments of Pediatrics (J.-Y.K.) andMedical Imaging (P.C.), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Nice, France; and Monaco Institute for SportMedicine and Surgery (IM2S) (S.B.), 98000 Monaco Context: Although a rare occurrence, previously undiagnosed disorders of sex development (DSD)
with hyperandrogenism are sometimes detected by hormonal screening during the international
sports competitions. Identifying the cause of XY,DSD raises medical and ethical concerns, especially
with regard to issues of the eligibility to compete.
Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether the detection of high plasma T in young
elite female athletes during hormonal screening would reveal an unsuspected XY DSD.
Setting: The study was performed in the Nice and Montpellier University Hospitals (France), which
collaborate as reference centers for DSD in elite athletes on behalf of sports governing bodies.
Patients: Four cases of elite young athletes with female phenotypes but high plasma T detected
during hormonal screening were investigated for undiagnosed XY DSD.
Main Outcome Measures: Evaluation of clinical, biological, radiological (magnetic resonance im-
aging and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) and genetic characteristics was conducted.
Results: The 4 athletes presented as tall, slim, muscular women with a male bone morphotype, no
breast development, clitoromegaly, partial or complete labial fusion, and inguinal/intralabial tes-
tes. All reported primary amenorrhea. The hormonal analysis evidenced plasma T within the male
range, the karyotype was 46, XY, and molecular analysis of the 5␣-reductase type 2 (srd5A2) gene
identified a homozygotic mutation in 2 cases, a heterozygotic compound in 1 case, and a deletion
in 1 case.
Conclusion: 5␣-Reductase deficiency should be investigated in elite young female athletes with
primary amenorrhea and high male T levels detected during antidoping programs to identify
undiagnosed XY DSD.
Theworldofsportshasstruggledwiththeissueofgen- versial.Themajorquestioniswhetherthisconditionpro-
der abnormalities since the Olympic Games of Berlin vides unfair advantages. The focus is not so much on in 1936 (1). The matter of systematic screening for ab- uncovering cases of masquerading or anabolic doping but normal virilization in female athletes remains still contro- on detecting those athletes who are competing unknow- Abbreviations: CAIS, complete androgen insensitivity syndrome; DHT, dihydrotestoster- one; DSD, disorder of sex differentiation; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; SRD5A2, Copyright 2013 by The Endocrine Society deficiency in 5␣-reductase type 2.
Received November 13, 2012. Accepted April 16, 2013.
Copyright (C) 2013 by The Endocrine Society
5␣-Reductase Deficiency and Female Athletes ingly with a disorder of sex differentiation (DSD). A sys- bone mineral density and corporeal composition (com- tematic gender verification program was first established parison with a female control population).
in 1966, with clinical inspection, Barr body screening, and Molecular analysis of the SRD5A2 gene was performed later sex-determining region, Y chromosome DNA detec- in the Department of Hormonology of the University Hos- tion by PCR, a decision that created controversy and pital of Montpellier. Genomic DNA was extracted from caused considerable embarrassment (2). The decision to peripheral blood leukocytes following the manufacturer’s abandon compulsory gender verification in Olympic com- instructions (DNA QIAamp DNA blood minikit; QIA- petition was made in 1999. Today the new systematic GEN, Courtaboeuf, France). As previously reported (6), hormonal screening in phenotypically female athletes (3) exons 1–5 of the SRD5A2 gene were amplified by PCR, may be a good opportunity to identify unknown XY DSD and direct sequencing was performed using the BigDye with primary amenorrhea and hyperandrogenism.
terminator version 1.1 kit (Applied Biosystems, Courta- Partial androgen insensitivity syndrome or minimal an- boeuf, France) and an AB1 Prism 310 genetic analyzer drogen insensitivity syndrome may be implicated, but not (Applied Biosystems). For this retrospective clinical study, complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS), be- institutional review board/International Electrotechnical cause in patients with CAIS, plasma T is very high but Commission approval for publication is not required in inactive. Another cause of XY DSD with possible hyperan- drogenic amenorrhea is a deficiency in 5␣-reductase type2 (SRD5A2) activity. This is a very rare disorder charac-terized by high phenotypical variability. The spectrum ac- tually ranges from isolated micropenis or hypospadias tosevere undervirilization appearing as normal female ex- The 4 young amenorrheic women, respectively, 18, 20, 21, ternal genitalia with mild clitoral enlargement (4). The and 20 years of age at diagnosis, were from rural or moun- diagnosis is made either at birth or at puberty when there tainous regions of developing countries. They had never is virilization on the external genitalia through either the menstruated and this primary amenorrhea had never been androgen receptor binding of very high levels of serum T, evaluated. Consanguinity was confirmed for 3 of them albeit at lower affinity, or the increased expression of ex- (first cousins in cases 2 and 3 and siblings in case 4) and tragenital 5␣-reductase type 1, which results in low pe- was suspected in the fourth case (case 1), with the 2 parents ripheral synthesis of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) from T originating from neighboring villages (Table 1). All had several brothers and sisters, including 1 sister who had We report for the first time the diagnosis of 5␣-reduc- been surgically treated for a DSD (nonverified; case 2) and tase deficiency in 4 hyperandrogenic elite female athletes.
1 infertile (case 3) (Table 1). They all reported unexpectedvirilization at puberty with excessive pubic hair or clitoro-megaly. In all cases, they had manifested strong motiva- Patients and Methods
tion and high tolerance to intensive daily training, whichhad made them good candidates for elite sports competi- Four elite young amenorrheic athletes with hyperandro- tion. However, none of them reported male sex behavior.
genism were referred to our Reproductive Endocrinology The clinical characteristics were quite similar, with all Department. Case 1 was identified through an abnormal presenting as tall, slim, and muscular young women but urine steroid profile and clitoral hypertrophy reported by with a complete lack of breast development and android the antidoping officer, whereas cases 2 and 4 through in- bone morphotype (high biacromial/bitrochanteric diam- creased plasma T, and free androgen index and LH results eter ratio) (Table 1). Axillary hair growth was slight and collected as a part of the Athlete Biological Passport (3).
pubic hair was female triangular, and none presented with Case 3 was directly referred to the international federation hirsutism. Clinical inspection of the external genitalia re- medical department by her national federation doctor.
vealed clitoromegaly in all cases, almost complete labial Blood samples were taken for endocrine investigation fusion in cases 2 and 4, partial fusion in cases 1 and 3, and and for karyotyping and genetic analysis after informed a single urogenital orifice in cases 2 and 4 (types 2– 4 of the consent was obtained. Steroids and polypeptide hormones Prader classification) (Table 1). Clinical palpation of the were assayed by radioimunological methods currently major labia or inguinal region and MRI of the abdominal- used in the University Hospital of Nice. Abdominal-pelvic pelvic region determined the nature and size of the testes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was systematically and localized them at the inguinal orifice in cases 1 and 2, performed, as was dual-energy x-ray biphotonic absorp- intralabial in case 4, and 1 at the inguinal orifice and the tiometry (Hologic, Bedford, Massachusetts) to determine other sublabial in case 2 (Table 1). MRI confirmed the lack Height/Weight,
Age at Diagnosis, y Consanguinity
Bioacromial/Bitrochanteric
Prader Class
Total T, ng/mL [0.09 – 0.99] DHT, ng/mL T to DHT Ratio D4, ng/mL [0.4 –2.3] 17 OHP, ng/mL [0.1–2.9] E2, pg/mL [19 –214] LH, Abbreviations: AMH, anti-Mullerian hormone; DEXA, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry; E2, estradiol; 17OHP, 17-hydroxyprogesterone.
a Female ratio 1, 1; male ratio 1, 3 (18).
of Mullerian ducts and the presence of intrapelvic seminal and high T levels prompted the molecular analysis of the vesicles and a rudimentary prostate in all athletes, whereas SRD5A2 gene by direct sequencing, which revealed a ho- a short blinded vagina (Ͻ22 mm) was identified in cases 1, mozygous mutation in 2 cases in exon 1 (p.Gly34Arg; case 2, and 3. In addition, the vertebral bone mineral content 1) and in exon 4 (p.Asn.193Ser; case 2), a compound was decreased in cases 1 and 2 compared with standards (p.[Arg227X]ϩ[Ala228Thr]), and an exon 1 deletion in Table 1 summarizes the hormonal features, showing a case 3 (Figure 1). Regarding the compound heterozygous male range of basal plasma total T with elevated gonad- mutation (case 4), we confirmed by direct sequencing that otropins and normal male estradiol, 17-hydroxyproges- 1 mutation was inherited from the father, whereas the terone, anti-Mullerian hormone, and inhibin B. DHT was other was inherited from the mother.
decreased with an increased T to DHT ratio except for case In contrast to the tendency to request gender change, our 4 athletes wished to maintain their female identity and Chromosomal analysis confirmed a 46, XY karyotype.
had many questions about menstruation, sexual activity, The combination of primary amenorrhea, lack of breast and child-bearing. Although leaving male gonads in development, clitoromegaly, a female pubic hair pattern, SDRD5A2 patients carries no health risk, each athlete was Figure 1. Sequencing electrophoregrams showing the different mutants identified in the 4 athletes with SRD5A2 deficiency.
5␣-Reductase Deficiency and Female Athletes informed that gonadectomy would most likely decrease However, it is possible that the gender abnormalities of their performance level but allow them to continue elite these athletes were clearly recognized at birth, especially sport in the female category. We thus proposed a partial for cases 2 and 4, but not formally diagnosed or given clitoridectomy with a bilateral gonadectomy, followed by medical attention because they had been born in rural a deferred feminizing vaginoplasty and estrogen replace- regions of countries with poor care.
ment therapy, to which the 4 athletes agreed after in- The estimated incidence of severe 46, XY DSD with formed consent on surgical and medical procedures.
uncertain sex is 2.2 per 10 000 births (15), and SRD5A2 Sports authorities then allowed them to continue compet- deficiency accounts for 6.7% of such cases (16), for a set ing in the female category 1 year after gonadectomy.
incidence of 1 per 100 000 (0.001%). In 1996 the system-atic sex-determining region, Y chromosome screening infemale athletes (2) during the Atlanta Olympic Games re- Discussion
vealed 8 46XY DSD cases of 3384 (1 of 423) including 1case (1 of 3384) of SRD5A2 deficiency (known to but We report here for the first time the cases of 4 elite young hidden by the athlete herself). More recently, during a amenorrheic athletes who were diagnosed with SRD5A2 World Championship, a massive systematic blood testing deficiency after high androgen levels and have been re- program was for the first time conducted: 868 top female vealed during implementation of an antidoping program.
level athletes participated in this implementation of the In these 4 46, XY DSD cases with female phenotype and Athlete Biological Passport (3). Two cases of hyperandro- high plasma T, the lack of breast development suggested genism led to the diagnosis of SRD5A2 deficiency for an SRD5A2 deficiency, even though DHT was not com- incidence of at least 1 of 434 (some cases are still pending), pletely abolished, as reported in our previous experience which is more than 200 times the estimated incidence in (7) or by others (8). We identified 2 known homozygous the general population. These unpublished preliminary missense mutations of SRD5A2 (p.Asn193Ser and results suggest that the high active T during the fetal, post- p.Gly34Arg), 1 new complete exon 1 deletion, and a com- natal, or peripubertal period in cases of SRD5A2 defi- ciency may confer a selective advantage for sports, likely through the brain, muscle, and/or bone morphotype.
To our knowledge, the complete exon 1 deletion, iden- The bone morphotype in our patients was android but, tified in case 3, has never been reported. Conversely, the curiously, the vertebral bone mineral content was de- substitution of asparagine by serine at position 193 creased in 2 patients compared with standards for females.
(p.Asn193Ser) identified in homozygous form in case 2 One of the main issues that has emerged with regard to was reported by our group in a 16-year-old Polish girl who 46, XY DSD hyperandrogenic athletes is the issue of pro- exhibited clitoral enlargement and virilization (6). Simi- tecting their health, private life, integrity, and rights but larly, the p.Gly34Arg mutation found in case 1 was de- maintaining strict standards of fairness for all women.
scribed in a 35-year-old Vietnamese woman with primary This has led to the guidelines proposed by the Interna- amenorrhea, no breast development, and clitoromegaly tional Association of Athletics Federations (8, 9). Regarding the compound heterozygous mutation p.[Arg227X]ϩ[Ala228Thr] (case 4), the former mutation national Olympic Committee and recently commented in was reported in homozygous form in a 16-year-old Mex- this journal (17). Except for cases of CAIS with inactive T,women with 46XY DSD will be allowed to compete only ican girl with no breast development, primary amenorrhea when T blood levels decrease on less than 10 nmol/L, the and virilization (8) and in a 6-year-old boy with micrope- nis, posterior hypospadias, but no cryptorchidism (9), In this work, we demonstrate that young competitive whereas the latter mutation was reported in homozygous female athletes may be affected by an SRD5A2 deficiency.
form in a patient of Eritrean origin who presented at birth It is thus important to screen for SRD5A2 deficiency in all with perineal hypospadias, a hypoplastic scrotum with young athletes with primary amenorrhea and hyperan- both gonads palpable in the inguinal canal, and a micro- drogenism to protect their health and privacy and ensure The delay in diagnosing these athletes may be explained by the slight degree of genital malformation generally ob-served in such cases at birth. Virilization then occurs at Acknowledgments
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