To investigate the potential role of steroid hormones in the pathophysiology of autism in Saudi boys, this study measured the serum levels of 17-β estradiol (E2) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) as well as the levels of the gonadotropins follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in autism and control subjects. The gene discussed is PLOD1; the disease is autism.