Phallic growth after hCG: a clinical index of androgen responsiveness

Newborns with ambiguous genitalia who were treated with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) all experienced penile growth. Before treatment was administered, the infants were found to be male by ultrasound and other tests. Six newborns with ambiguous genitalia or micropenis but without other abnormalities were screened hormonally with adrenocorticotropic hormone (A CTH) and hCG to rule out any problems in androgen production. Androgens are the steroid hormones responsible for the production of male characteristics. The infants received hCG for an additional three days. The hCG stimulated a normal androgenic response which led to an increase in penile size in all the children. Reassessing phallic size after initial hCG injections for sex- determination screening may aid clinicians in determining sex assignment in a more timely fashion.