Citation:
Ali AA, Cui X, Pertile RAN, Li X, Medley G, Whitehouse AJO, et al. Developmental vitamin D deficiency increases foetal exposure to testosterone. Mol Autism. 2020;11(1):96.
Keywords:
Animal model; Aromatase; Autism; Developmental vitamin D deficiency; Methylation; Testosterone
Abstract:
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders which are more common in males. The 'prenatal sex steroid' hypothesis links excessive sex-steroid exposure during foetal life with the behavioural differences observed in ASD. However, the reason why sex steroid exposure may be excessive remains unclear. Epidemiological studies have identified several environmental risk factors associated with ASD, including developmental vitamin D (DVD) deficiency.
Developmental vitamin D deficiency increases foetal exposure to testosterone
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders which are more common in males. The 'prenatal sex steroid' hypothesis links excessive sex-steroid exposure during foetal life with the behavioural differences observed in ASD. However, the reason why sex steroid exposure may be excessive remains unclear. Epidemiological studies have identified several environmental risk factors associated with ASD, including developmental vitamin D (DVD) deficiency.