The syndromes of androgen resistance revisited.

A revisit to the existing complexities of the androgen resistance syndromes within the frame of our current knowledge was undertaken. Recent contributions of these and other laboratories are presented according to the topographic intracellular location of the underlying abnormalities causing these inherited disorders. Thus, the clinical spectrum, inherited pattern and biochemical features of defective androgen action at the pre-receptor, receptor, and post-receptor levels are examined. In addition, the effects of androgens on the development of gender role is discussed, with particular focus on patients with pre-receptor defects. It was concluded that a better understanding of the nature of the altered events in these syndromes has been achieved over recent years, although several important issues still remain unsolved.