What is the Origin of Virilization Effects?

The term is derived from the Latin virilis, meaning male or masculine, and is used in medicine to describe the process of acquiring male characteristics. It is a key concept in endocrinology, specifically concerning the effects of androgen excess.

What is the Mechanism of Virilization Effects?

The effects are mediated by the robust binding of high concentrations of androgens, such as testosterone and its more potent metabolite dihydrotestosterone (DHT), to the androgen receptors in peripheral target tissues. This potent receptor activation triggers the genetic transcription pathways responsible for the development and maintenance of male secondary sexual traits. The severity and pattern of virilization are directly influenced by the concentration, duration of exposure, and the specific tissue's sensitivity to the circulating androgens.

Virilization Effects

Meaning

Virilization effects are the clinical manifestations of developing male secondary sexual characteristics in a female or a pre-pubertal male, resulting from excessive or inappropriate exposure to androgens. These clinical signs typically include hirsutism, which is excessive male-pattern hair growth, a deepening of the voice, temporal hair recession, clitoral enlargement, and significant increases in muscle bulk. Virilization is a critical clinical finding in conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and the non-medical use of anabolic-androgenic steroids.