Alteration of the steroidogenesis in boys with autism spectrum disorders.

ABSTRACT: The etiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) remains unknown, but associations between prenatal hormonal changes and ASD risk were found. The consequences of these changes on the steroidogenesis during a postnatal development are not yet well known. The aim of this study was to analyze the steroid metabolic pathway in prepubertal ASD and neurotypical boys. Plasma samples were collected from 62 prepubertal ASD boys and 24 age and sex-matched controls (CTRL). Eighty-two biomarkers of steroidogenesis were detected using gas-chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry. We observed changes across the whole alternative backdoor pathway of androgens synthesis toward lower level in ASD group. Our data indicate suppressed production of pregnenolone sulfate at augmented activities of CYP17A1 and SULT

SUBMITTER: Jansakova K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7538887 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature