In fetal life, testosterone causes virilization of the Wolffian ducts while DHT is responsible for the development of the male external genitalia and prostate. During male sexual maturation, DHT is primarily responsible for the physical changes

An autosomal-recessive genetic deficiency of 5 a -reductase, referred to as male pseudo-hermaphroditism or pseudo-vaginal perineoscrotal hypospadias leads to inadequate differentiation of DHT-dependent peripheral tissues. Male infants with this disorder have ambiguous genitalia and are often raised as females, although significant virilization may occur later in life presumably due to the natural increase in testosterone levels [2].

1. Miller WL: Molecular biology of steroid hormone synthesis. Endocrin Rev 9:295-318, 1988.
2. Pang S, Riddick L: Hirsutism. IN Lifshitz F: Pediatric Endocrinology, A Clinical Guide, second edition. Marcel Dekker, New York, 1990, pp. 259-291.