Effect of parenteral testosterone therapy on penile development in boys with hypospadias.

Forty boys with hypospadias received 2 mg/kg testosterone esters intramuscularly 5 and 2 weeks before surgical correction of the hypospadias. The effects on penile development were determined 3 and 5 weeks after the first injection and 3 and 12 months post-operatively. A significant effect on penile development was shown. This effect disappeared during the first year following treatment. There was no effect on bone maturation, children's height and the ultimate testosterone level. All adverse effects disappeared after cessation of therapy. Androgen receptor deficiency as a possible cause of hypospadias is not supported by our observations.