Growth Hormone Substitution in Adult Growth Hormone-Deficient Men Augments Androgen Effects on the Skin

The study investigated the effects of growth hormone (GH) administration on sexual hair growth in 46 adult men with childhood-onset GH deficiency. The study was double-blind and placebo-controlled, with 33 men receiving GH from the start and 13 initially receiving a placebo. Hair scores were assessed at 13 body regions over 12 months. Results showed that GH administration led to increased hair scores in the GH-treated group after 6 months, while no increase was observed during the placebo phase. When the placebo group switched to GH, their hair scores also increased significantly. The study concluded that GH substitution therapy enhanced androgen effects on the skin without altering the free androgen index (FAI).