392 Quantitative measurement of the androgen receptor in prepuces of boys with and without hypospadias

Abstract

Abstract Purpose Identifiable causes of hypospadias, a midline fusion defect of the male ventral urethra, are still infrequently well-known. The aim of this study was to quantify the androgen receptor mRNA and androgen receptor protein in prepuces of boys with and without hypospadias. Material and Methods Forty prepuce specimens of circumcised boys, aged between 12 and 14 months, with (n=20) and without hypospadias (n=20), were investigated. Immediately after surgery all probes were fixed in formaldehyde and small parts were deep frozen in liquid nitrogen at -80° C. The total RNA of the specimens was isolated and cDNA was written. With the aid of real time PCR the amount of present androgen receptor mRNA was measured. For quantification of present androgen receptor protein, Western Blot (Bradford method) and immunohistochemistry for androgen receptor using standardized automated procedures (Discovery XT, Ventana) were performed. Statistical analyses using the the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Mann-Whitney U-test were done. Results Our observations show that the androgen receptor mRNA is significantly increased in the prepuce of hypospadiac boys compared to specimens of boys with phimosis.(p Conclusions Our results provide evidence that the different expression of androgen receptor mRNA indicates the extent of a defect androgen receptor signalling in boys with hypospadias.