Androgens and personality in normal men and men operated for hypospadias in childhood

Abstract

Serum levels of LH, FSH, prolactin and androgens were assayed in 33 adult men operated for a penile malformation (hypospadias) in childhood and in 34 matched controls. Two cases of severe hypospadias had signs of hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism. Three moderately severe cases possibly had a central relative androgen receptor insensitivity. Patients had lower levels of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone in serum, unrelated to the severity of the hypospadias. The hypospadias patients have previously been shown to be more neurotic and inhibited both socially and sexually than the controls, which might be related to defective androgenic functioning. Relations between androgen levels and psychological variables were studied. Low testosterone levels were related to higher hostility scores in Rorschach. Relations between androgens and other personality characteristics could not be shown.