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Contribution of androgen receptor sensitivity to the relation between testosterone and sexual desire: An exploration in male-to-female transsexuals

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Abstract

Background: Low sexual desire is present in 1/3 of male-to-female transsexuals (post-operative male-to-female transsexual persons on estrogen replacement). Several studies report lower endogenous testosterone (T) levels in this group compared to community dwelling women. However, no relationship between T and sexual desire has been found in male-to-female transsexuals. Considering its role in androgen sensitivity, cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) trinucleotide repeat sequence in the androgen receptor (AR) might modify the relationship between T levels and sexual desire in male-to-female transsexuals. Aim: This study aims to assess the potential contribution of the number of CAG repeats in the association between T and sexual desire in male-to-female transsexuals. Material, subjects, and methods: Thirty-four post-operative male-to-female transsexuals participated in a cross-sectional study. The Sexual Desire Inventory, a questionnaire measuring sexual desire, was completed. Serum levels of total (TT) and free T (FT), DHEA-S, SHBG, and LH were measured in morning blood samples. AR gene CAG repeat length was determined by automated DNA fragment analysis of exon 1 of the AR gene. Results: The CAG repeat length ranged from 14 to 28 with a median of 21. CAG polymorphism was correlated with FT (r=0.389; p=0.023) but not with TT (r=0.191; p=0.280). The observed interaction between TT and CAG was significant only for solitary sexual desire (p=0.002). The interaction of CAG repeats and FT on sexual desire failed to reach significance. Conclusions: We could not establish that CAG repeat length is a consistent modulating factor in the relationship between TT or FT and sexual desire in male-to-female transsexuals.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sexology and Gender Problems, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium

    E. Elaut, G. De Cuypere & G. T’Sjoen MD, PhD

  2. Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

    E. Elaut

  3. Department of Endocrinology — Ghent University Hospital 9K12, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    V. Bogaert, J.-M. Kaufman & G. T’Sjoen MD, PhD

  4. Department of Gynecology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium

    S. Weyers

  5. Center of Gender Dysphoria, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    L. Gijs

Authors
  1. E. Elaut
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  2. V. Bogaert
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  3. G. De Cuypere
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  4. S. Weyers
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  5. L. Gijs
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  6. J.-M. Kaufman
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  7. G. T’Sjoen MD, PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to G. T’Sjoen MD, PhD.

Additional information

E. Elaut and V. Bogaert contributed equally to this manuscript.

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Elaut, E., Bogaert, V., De Cuypere, G. et al. Contribution of androgen receptor sensitivity to the relation between testosterone and sexual desire: An exploration in male-to-female transsexuals. J Endocrinol Invest 33, 37–41 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03346547

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03346547

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