highly talented 22-year-old female college athlete has just qualified to compete in the Summer Olympics. However, when she is required to undergo laboratory testing to measure testosterone levels, she is informed that she will not be permitted to compete because her testosterone levels are “too high for a female athlete”. Further medical and genetic testing reveal that she has a condition known as Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome. She promptly hires an attorney to appeal the decision. The Olympic Committee maintains that her elevated testosterone levels will give her an unfair advantage over her fellow female athletes. Is this accurate? Please provide scientific support for your answer.

highly talented 22-year-old female college athlete has just qualified to compete in the Summer Olympics. However, when she is required to undergo laboratory testing to measure testosterone levels, she is informed that she will not be permitted to compete because her testosterone levels are “too high for a female athlete”. Further medical and genetic testing reveal that she has a condition known as Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome. She promptly hires an attorney to appeal the decision. The Olympic Committee maintains that her elevated testosterone levels will give her an unfair advantage over her fellow female athletes. Is this accurate? Please provide scientific support for your answer.

Human Physiology: From Cells to Systems (MindTap Course List)

9th Edition

ISBN:9781285866932

Author:Lauralee Sherwood

Publisher:Lauralee Sherwood

Chapter20: The Reproductive System

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 8RE

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Similar questions

How would mutations that completely ablate the function of the androgen receptor impact the phenotypic development of humans with XY chromosomes? a. Patients would appear phenotypically female. b. Patients would appear phenotypically male with underdeveloped secondary sex characteristics. c. Patients would appear phenotypically male, but cannot produce sperm. d. Patients would express both male and female secondary sex characteristics.
If a genetic female fetus is exposed to testosterone in utero, would that individual develop a complete male phenotypic sex, partial male phenotypic sex, or a normal female phenotypic sex? Explain your answer, describing the sex phenotype of the gonads, internal genital ducts and external genitalia. What would the developmental outcomes be if the fetus were instead exposed to dihydrotestosterone in utero?
Name the structure that produces testosterone.
hCG, estrogen and progesterone are hormones that are secreted throughout pregnancy. Answer the following questions about these hormones. 1) What structure initially secretes estrogen & progesterone? 2)What structure takes over the role of secreting hCG, estrogen & progesterone in the second and third trimesters?
Why Is it imperative for a woman to take folic acid if she is planning to become pregnant?
Females with hormone-secreting tumors of the adrenal cortex occasionally develop male secondary sex characteristics ?Explain why this may happen?
Which of the following statements correctly describes the effects of increased testosterone? a. Increased levels of testosterone result in increased sperm production b. Increased levels of testosterone decreases the release of FSH and LH c. Increased levels of testosterone stimulates the release of GnRH d. Increased levels of testosterone stimulates the release of FSH and LH.
A 38-year-old male is upset about his low sperm count and visits a "practitioner" who commonly advertises his miracle cures of sterility. The practitioner is a quack who treats conditions of low sperm count with megadoses of testosterone. Although his patients experience a huge surge in libido, their sperm count is even lower after hormone treatment. a) Which two glands would be responsive to the megadose of testosterone? b) Identify the two hormones that would be affected by the megadose of testosterone. Would their levels increase or decrease? c) What role, if any, would either of the affected hormones have on the man's reduced sperm count?
Which of the following is an example of a teratogen?
Teratomas in the pituitary glands are very rare tumours that occur in children and young adults. Usual symptoms of teratoma are diabetes insipidus, neurological issues, and a reduction in pituitary hormones.Which of the following correctly describes the symptoms of a 10-year-old girl with a teratoma tumour in the pituitary gland? Select one: a. Increased levels of ADH and stimulation of the development of secondary sexual characteristics b. Decreased levels of ADH and inhibition of the development of secondary sexual characteristics c. Decreased levels of FSH and stimulation of the development of secondary sexual characteristics d. Increased levels of FSH and inhibition of the development of secondary sexual characteristics
A 38-year-old male is upset about his low sperm count and visits a “practitioner” who commonly advertises his miracle cures for sterility. In fact, the practitioner is a quack who treats conditions of low sperm count with megadoses of testosterone. Although his patients experience a huge surge in libido, their sperm count is even lower after hormone treatment; why?
What is the purpose of having a specific receptor for estrogen within the cell?