Expression of the androgen receptor gene in the urethral mucosa of patients with hypospadias before and after reconstructive urethroplasty

• Grant number: 13/06912-1
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: September 01, 2013
• End date: August 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Maternal and Child Health
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Alberto Longui
• Grantee: Carlos Alberto Longui
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo (FCMSCSP). Fundação Arnaldo Vieira de Carvalho. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Flavio Richeti ; Tatiane Sousa e Silva

Abstract

Abnormalities in the androgen receptor (AR) can cause changes in genital differentiation, determining deficient masculinization eventually recognized as hypospadias. Mutations in the AR coding gene are present in some patients with hypospadias, suggesting that decreased amount of AR or postreceptor phenomena could also be involved. Aiming to identify the mechanisms associated to hypospadias, this study was designed to investigate the AR expression in the neourethral tissue after urethroplasty, allowing the inclusion of previously operated cases. The analysis of AR will be determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR), employing a previously standardized assay able to quantify the AR mRNA in cells derived from genital tissue (urethral mucosa). Quantification of the AR mRNA in hypospadias is potentially useful in the diagnosis and prognosis of this condition. (AU)