Correlation Between Nongenomic Action of C19-Steroids and COVID-19 Severity

The recent COVID-19 pandemic is the defining global health crisis of our time and little is known about this disease. It has been reported that advanced age is considered a major risk factor for COVID-19 complications, and data suggest that this disease is deadlier for men than women but these observations are currently unclear. Regarding androgen action, it has been shown that certain smooth muscles are a target for androgens by inducing an acute relaxing effect in airway and vascular tissues that is nongenomically mediated; likewise, androgens are capable of inducing genomic anti-inflammatory and nongenomic hypotensive responses. The aim of this report is to associate the relationship between COVID-19 and aging men as well as the comorbidities presented in this group of patients linked with androgen deficiency. Remarkably, the nongenomic mechanisms of androgens as potential protectors are reviewed. On this basis, it is suggested that hypotestosteronemia may be a risk factor for COVID-19 severity.

46, XY Disorder of Sexual Development with Ambiguous Female External Genitalia: A Case Report

Disorder of Sexual Development (DSD) is a group of congenital conditions with atypical development of sex at chromosomal, gonadal or anatomic level. Genetic males with DSD (46 XY DSD) can present with female external genital phenotype, ambiguous, or a micropenis. It is caused by incomplete intrauterine masculinization with or without the presence of Müllerian structures. It results either from decreased synthesis of testosterone or DHT or from impairment of androgen action. Herein, we report a case of a 13-year child raised as female with hoarseness of voice and gradual enlargement of clitoris with hormonal assessment not suggestive of either 5 Alfa Reductase deficiency, Congenital Adrenal Insufficiency Syndrome or 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase deficiency