HORMONAL RESPONSIVE CODING AND NON-CODING GENES IN PENILE DIFFERENTIATION AND HYPOSPADIAS

Abstract

Hypospadias, a failure of the correct formation of the penis, is the second-most common birth defect, occurring in around 1% of boys. It causes distress to both newborn and parents, requiring surgical intervention, and is a burden of cost and is a risk to the child. Furthermore, it is frequently associated with other abnormalities. We have a novel model in which we can induce penis abnormalities and define the link between hormonal exposures and defective penis differentiation.