MICROPENIS - DOES EARLY TREATMENT WITH TESTOSTERONE DO MORE HARM THANGOOD

Micropenis secondary to hypogonadotropic hypogonadism was induced in t he Sprague-Dawley rat using long acting microspheres of the gonadotrop ic agonist leuprolide acetate. Following the induction of micropenis t reatment was initiated with testosterone at day 7, 28, 56 or 84 of lif e. All treatment protocols resulted in improved phallic growth compare d to the untreated animals with micropenis (p < 0.01). Treatment of an imals with testosterone beginning on day 7 of life resulted in prematu re growth of the penis and the redevelopment of micropenis in adulthoo d. In contrast, delaying testosterone therapy until day 56 (pubertal) or 84 (early postpubertal) resulted in complete penile development. Th ese findings suggest that early exposure of the penis to androgens in childhood may eventually result in a significant reduction of phallic size in adulthood.