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2760290 
Journal Article 
Partial androgen insensitivity: the Reifenstein syndrome revisited 
Amrhein, JA; Klingensmith, GJ; Walsh, PC; Mckusick, VA; Migeon, CJ 
1977 
1 
New England Journal of Medicine
ISSN: 0028-4793
EISSN: 1533-4406 
297 
7 
350-356 
English 
876326 
We investigated eight patients with the Reifenstein syndrome to define the hormonal basis for this condition. The patients had normal or elevated concentrations of plasma androgens, normal production rates of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, elevated serum levels of luteinizing hormone and normal 5alpha-reductase activity in skin fibroblasts. These findings indicate that the syndrome results from defective androgen action rather than from decreased androgen synthesis. The term "partial androgen insensitivity syndrome" describes this condition more accurately than a term based on clinical phenotype. Dihydrotestosterone binding studies in skin fibroblasts demonstrated two genetic variants similar to those reported in complete androgen insensitivity syndrome. One patient had a partial deficiency of cytoplasmic dihydrotestosterone binding, and four others had normal binding activity. The cause of the androgen insensitivity in the last four cases is unknown. Treatment with testosterone suppressed serum luteinizing hormone levels and promoted mild virilizing effects.