Absolute measurement of androgen receptor mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear, preputial skin and urethral mucosa cells of control individuals with phimosis using qRT-PCR.

Introduction: Androgen actions are exerted upon the androgen receptor (AR), and complete genital virilization of normal 46,XY individuals depends on adequate function and expression of the AR gene in a tissue-specific manner.

Objective: Standardization of normal ARmRNA in androgen-sensitive tissues.

Materials And Methods: In this study, we determined the quantitative amounts of ARmRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear, urethral mucosa and preputial skin cells of control subjects with phimosis by using RT-PCR.

Results: The mean (SD) values of AR expression in blood, urethra and prepuce were: 0.01 (0.01); 0.43 (0.32); 0.31 (0.36), respectively.

Conclusion: The AR expression is low in blood and equivalent in urethral mucosa and preputial skin, which may be useful in the diagnosis of individuals with abnormal external genitalia.