Adrenogenital Syndrome

Adrenogenital syndrome is a recessive genetic autosomal disorder in which enzyme production is disrupted causing growth in the adrenal glands and ambiguous genitalia. Also called congenital adrenal hyperplasia, this condition is a result of an excess of androgen production by the adrenal cortex during fetal development. This condition often manifests as enlarged female genitalia resembling male genitalia in females and premature puberty in males. Gene mutations cause a reduction in cortisol production which causes an increase of production of the hormone adrenocorticotropin, also called adrenocorticotropic hormones. Although this boost in adrenocorticotropin brings cortisol to near normal levels it also causes there to be a rise in androgen as well which causes the adverse effects of this disorder.