Randomized trial demonstrates structural and immunological changes in XX skin from testosterone treatment, suggesting implications for surgical outcomes.
Key Points
This study aims to characterize the response of XX skin to systemic testosterone exposure during gender-affirming hormone treatment.
Collected discarded skin samples from XX patients undergoing plastic surgeries with and without testosterone treatment.
Analyzed changes in sex steroid receptor expression, immune cell markers, and structural components.
Used quantification methods to assess differences in receptor-positive cell counts and collagen density.
In testosterone-treated skin, androgen receptor-positive cells increased by 2.77-fold compared to untreated controls.
Collagen density in treated skin increased by 2.93-fold, while CD45 positive immune cells decreased by 43%.
Epidermal differences included reduced progesterone receptor-positive cells and increased fibronectin expression.