An
enzyme necessary to turn
testosterone into
dihydrotestosterone, the
hormone responsible for the development of
male external genitalia in the
foetus and some
secondary sex characteristics in adulthood (namely,
body hair,
facial hair and
prostatic development in males, and
acne during adolescance.)
The
gene for 5-alpha-reductase production is located on
chromosome 5.
Doctors are considering/exploring the development of a 5-alpha-reductase blocker for the treatment of
baldness and
prostate cancer.
Lack of 5-alpha-reductase production (during
gestation and
childhood) results in a form of being
intersexed/
pseudohermaphrodism) called, simply,
5-alpha-reductase deficiency.