Alternative (backdoor) androgen production and masculinization in the human fetus
Fig 5
Levels of mRNA transcripts encoding enzymes involved in the synthesis of DHT through the backdoor pathway in the fetal male.
Data show levels of transcripts in testis (n = 22), adrenal (n = 21), liver (n = 44–50), genital tubercle (n = 10), and placenta (n = 20) from individual male fetuses during the second trimester. Transcript levels have been measured relative to the housekeeping gene TBP. For each transcript, the y-axis has been maintained constant for all 5 tissues so that direct comparison of transcript levels can be made. The number of ND samples is shown on each graph. The horizontal black bar indicates mean expression and, in cases in which levels are very low, the mean is also provided in text on the graph. Raw data are shown in S1 Data (Sheet 4). DHT, dihydrotestosterone; GT, genital tubercle; ND, nondetectable; TBP, TATA box–binding protein.