Abstract
The concept of metamorphosis (change of form, structure, or substance) is very frequently encountered in Ancient Greek and Roman literature. One of the most striking types of metamorphosis described in many myths is gender transformation, where a man becomes a woman or vice versa. Herein, we present a case of pubertal gender inversion, the marvelous story of the Cretan Leucippus, which not only inspired many ancient writers but also led to the development of a distinct, local, religious cult. A medical interpretation of the myth, whereby we attempt to establish a diagnosis for this case of heterosexual puberty, is also provided.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data availability
Not applicable.
References
Celoria F (1992) The metamorphoses of Antoninus Liberalis, a translation with a commentary. Routledge, London and New York, pp 71–72
Kline AS (2000) Ovid’s metamorphoses, a complete English translation and mythological index. Book IX: 764-797, https://ovid.lib.virginia.edu/trans/Metamorph9.htm#483366553. Accessed 3 June 2020
Oçal G (2011) Current concepts in disorders of sexual development. J Clin Res Pediatr Endocrinol 3:105–114
Melo-Leite AF, Elias PC, Teixeira SR, Tucci S, Barros GE, Antonini SR, Muglia VF, Elias J (2017) Adrenocortical neoplasms in adulthood and childhood: distinct presentation. Review of the clinical, pathological and imaging characteristics. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 30:253–276
Hughes IA, Davies JD, Bunch TI, Pasterski V, Mastroyannopoulou K, MacDougall J (2012) Androgen insensitivity syndrome. Lancet 380:1419–1428
Maimoun L, Philibert P, Cammas B et al (2011) Phenotypical, biological, and molecular heterogeneity of 5α-reductase deficiency: an extensive international experience of 55 patients. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 96:296–307
Mendonca BB, Gomes NL, Costa EM, Inacio M, Martin RM, Nishi MY et al (2017) 46,XY disorder of sex development (DSD) due to 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3 deficiency. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 165:79–85
Rosler A (2006) 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 3 deficiency in the Mediterranean population. Pediatr Endocrinol Rev 3(Suppl 3):455–461
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
Georgios K. Markantes: writing of manuscript
Konstantina Barouti: writing of manuscript
Maria I. Stamou: writing of manuscript
Neoklis A. Georgopoulos: conceptualization, writing of manuscript
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Ethics approval
Not applicable.
Consent to participate
Not applicable.
Consent for publication
Not applicable.
Code availability
Not applicable.
Additional information
Publisher’s note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Markantes, G.K., Barouti, K., Stamou, M.I. et al. Leucippus, either male or death: a case of sex reversal by divine intervention. Hormones 20, 405–407 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42000-020-00239-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42000-020-00239-1