1
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Zheng R, Chen F, Zhao M, Yang H, Shen Y. A case of complete androgen insensitivity syndrome combined with bilateral inguinal hernia. Hernia 2024; 28:1477-1480. [PMID: 38551791 DOI: 10.1007/s10029-024-02982-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/03/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- R Zheng
- Department of Hernia and Abdominal Wall Surgery, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, No. 5 JingYuan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing, 100043, China
| | - F Chen
- Department of Hernia and Abdominal Wall Surgery, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, No. 5 JingYuan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing, 100043, China
| | - M Zhao
- Department of Hernia and Abdominal Wall Surgery, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, No. 5 JingYuan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing, 100043, China
| | - H Yang
- Department of Hernia and Abdominal Wall Surgery, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, No. 5 JingYuan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing, 100043, China
| | - Y Shen
- Department of Hernia and Abdominal Wall Surgery, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, No. 5 JingYuan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing, 100043, China.
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Kostopoulou E, Eliades A, Papatheodoropoulou A, Sertedaki A, Sinopidis X, Tzelepi V, Jang S, Seo GH, Chrysis D. 46,ΧΥ DSD in an adolescent with a novel de novo variant of the NR5A1 gene - case report and literature review. Hormones (Athens) 2024:10.1007/s42000-024-00589-0. [PMID: 39048863 DOI: 10.1007/s42000-024-00589-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE In addition to chromosomal abnormalities, several genes have been implicated as causes of disorders of sex development (DSD). The NR5A1 gene expresses SF1, a transcription factor that plays a role in steroidogenesis by controlling multiple stages of adrenal and gonadal development, its mutations having been reported in cases of DSD. CASE PRESENTATION A 15-year-old teenager was admitted to the Children's ICU of a tertiary center due to acute encephalitis. On physical examination, labia majora and minora, open vaginal opening, and a 4.8 cm phallus (stretched length) in the anatomical position of the clitoris were identified. The patient also presented with hirsutism, breast development was Tanner stage I, and pubic hair was Tanner V. Medical history revealed primary amenorrhea. Imaging studies revealed oval formations primarily compatible with testicular parenchyma in the anatomical location of the inguinal ducts. The karyotype identified a 46,XY individual, while whole exome sequencing (WES) revealed the presence of a heterozygous pathogenic splice site variant of the NR5A1 gene (NM_004959.5), c.990G > C, p.Glu330Asp, which, on further genetic testing of the parents, was proven to be de novo. According to psychiatric assessment, the patient self-identifies as a female. Laparoscopic exploration showed no residual Mullerian ducts or the presence of testicular tissue. A gonadectomy was performed and hormone replacement therapy with estrogens was initiated. CONCLUSION We describe a rare case of 46,XY DSD in an phenotypically female adolescent carrying the novel de novo p.Glu330Asp variant of the NR5A1 gene. We also highlight the frequent delay in diagnosis of ambiguous external genitalia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eirini Kostopoulou
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece.
- Division of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, 26500, Greece.
| | - Andreas Eliades
- Intensive Care Unit, University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | | | - Amalia Sertedaki
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, ENDO-ERN Center for Rare Paediatric Endocrine Diseases, First Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Vasiliki Tzelepi
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, 26504, Greece
| | | | - Go Hun Seo
- , 3Billion inc, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dionysios Chrysis
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
- Division of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, 26500, Greece
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Olivera-Bernal GC, De Ita-Ley M, Ricárdez-Marcial EF, Garduño-Zarazúa LM, González-Cuevas ÁR, Sepúlveda-Robles OA, Huicochea-Montiel JC, Cárdenas-Conejo A, Santana-Díaz L, Rosas-Vargas H. Cytogenomic description of a Mexican cohort with differences in sex development. Mol Cytogenet 2024; 17:16. [PMID: 39010086 PMCID: PMC11251293 DOI: 10.1186/s13039-024-00685-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Differences in Sex Development (DSD) is a heterogeneous group of congenital alterations that affect inner and/or outer primary sex characters. Although these conditions do not represent a mortality risk, they can have a severe psycho-emotional impact if not appropriately managed. The genetic changes that can give rise to DSD are diverse, from chromosomal alterations to single base variants involved in the sexual development network. Epidemiological studies about DSD indicate a global frequency of 1:4500-5500, which can increase to 1:200-300, including isolated anatomical defects. To our knowledge, this study is the first to describe epidemiological and genetic features of DSD in a cohort of Mexican patients of a third-level care hospital. METHODS Descriptive and retrospective cross-sectional study that analyzed DSD patients from 2015 to 2021 attended a Paediatric Hospital from Mexico City. RESULTS One hundred one patients diagnosed with DSD were registered and grouped into different entities according to the Chicago consensus statement and the diagnosis defined by the multidisciplinary group. Of the total, 54% of them belong to the chromosomal DSD classification, 16% belongs to 46, XX and 30% of them belongs to the 46, XY classification. CONCLUSION The frequency for chromosomal DSDs was consistent with the literature; however, we found that DSD 46, XY is more frequent in our cohort, which may be due to the age of the patients captured, the characteristics of our study population, or other causes that depend on the sample size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grecia C Olivera-Bernal
- Medical Research Unit in Human Genetics, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS)/Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional SXXI, Ave. Cuauhtémoc 330, 06720, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Marlon De Ita-Ley
- Medical Research Unit in Human Genetics, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS)/Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional SXXI, Ave. Cuauhtémoc 330, 06720, Mexico City, Mexico
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Edgar F Ricárdez-Marcial
- Department of Genetics, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS)/Hospital General Centro Médico Nacional "La Raza", Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Luz María Garduño-Zarazúa
- Medical Research Unit in Human Genetics, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS)/Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional SXXI, Ave. Cuauhtémoc 330, 06720, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ángel Ricardo González-Cuevas
- Medical Research Unit in Human Genetics, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS)/Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional SXXI, Ave. Cuauhtémoc 330, 06720, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Omar A Sepúlveda-Robles
- Medical Research Unit in Human Genetics, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS)/Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional SXXI, Ave. Cuauhtémoc 330, 06720, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Juan Carlos Huicochea-Montiel
- Department of Paediatric Genetics, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS)/Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional S XXI, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alan Cárdenas-Conejo
- Department of Paediatric Genetics, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS)/Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional S XXI, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Laura Santana-Díaz
- Department of Genetics, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS)/Hospital General Centro Médico Nacional "La Raza", Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Haydeé Rosas-Vargas
- Medical Research Unit in Human Genetics, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS)/Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional SXXI, Ave. Cuauhtémoc 330, 06720, Mexico City, Mexico.
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Yavas Abalı Z, Guran T. Diagnosis and management of non-CAH 46,XX disorders/differences in sex development. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1354759. [PMID: 38812815 PMCID: PMC11134272 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1354759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Prenatal-onset androgen excess leads to abnormal sexual development in 46,XX individuals. This androgen excess can be caused endogenously by the adrenals or gonads or by exposure to exogenous androgens. The most common cause of 46,XX disorders/differences in sex development (DSD) is congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency, comprising >90% of 46,XX DSD cases. Deficiencies of 11β-hydroxylase, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, and P450-oxidoreductase (POR) are rare types of CAH, resulting in 46,XX DSD. In all CAH forms, patients have normal ovarian development. The molecular genetic causes of 46,XX DSD, besides CAH, are uncommon. These etiologies include primary glucocorticoid resistance (PGCR) and aromatase deficiency with normal ovarian development. Additionally, 46,XX gonads can differentiate into testes, causing 46,XX testicular (T) DSD or a coexistence of ovarian and testicular tissue, defined as 46,XX ovotesticular (OT)-DSD. PGCR is caused by inactivating variants in NR3C1, resulting in glucocorticoid insensitivity and the signs of mineralocorticoid and androgen excess. Pathogenic variants in the CYP19A1 gene lead to aromatase deficiency, causing androgen excess. Many genes are involved in the mechanisms of gonadal development, and genes associated with 46,XX T/OT-DSD include translocations of the SRY; copy number variants in NR2F2, NR0B1, SOX3, SOX9, SOX10, and FGF9, and sequence variants in NR5A1, NR2F2, RSPO1, SOX9, WNT2B, WNT4, and WT1. Progress in cytogenetic and molecular genetic techniques has significantly improved our understanding of the etiology of non-CAH 46,XX DSD. Nonetheless, uncertainties about gonadal function and gender outcomes may make the management of these conditions challenging. This review explores the intricate landscape of diagnosing and managing these conditions, shedding light on the unique aspects that distinguish them from other types of DSD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tulay Guran
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, School of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Türkiye
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Jiang W, Yu J, Mao Y, Tang Y, Cao L, Du Q, Li J, Yang J. Identification and functional analysis of a rare variant of gene DHX37 in a patient with 46,XY disorders of sex development. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2024; 12:e2453. [PMID: 38769888 PMCID: PMC11106588 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.2453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND 46,XY sex reversal 11 (SRXY11) [OMIM#273250] is characterized by genital ambiguity that may range from mild male genital defects to gonadal sex reversal in severe cases. DHX37 is an RNA helicase that has recently been reported as a cause of SRXY11. So far, a total of 21 variants in DHX37 have been reported in 58 cases with 46,XY disorders of sex development (DSD). METHODS Whole exome sequencing (WES) was conducted to screen for variations in patients with 46,XY DSD. The subcellular localization of mutant DHX37 proteins was detected by immunofluorescence. And the levels of mutant DHX37 proteins were detected via Western blotting. RESULTS A novel pathogenic variant of DHX37 was identified in a patient with 46,XY DSD c.2012G > C (p.Arg671Thr). Bioinformatics analysis showed that the protein function of the variant was impaired. Compared with the structure of the wild-type DHX37 protein, the number of hydrogen bonds and interacting amino acids of the variant protein were changed to varying degrees. In vitro assays revealed that the variant had no significant effect on the intracellular localization of the protein but significantly reduced the expression level of the protein. CONCLUSIONS Our finding further expands the spectrum of the DHX37 variant and could assist in the molecular diagnosis of 46,XY DSD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Jiang
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Centre for Medical Genetics, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's HospitalUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
- Research Unit for Blindness Prevention of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU026), Sichuan Academy of Medical SciencesChengduChina
| | - Jing Yu
- Meishan Women and Children's HospitalAlliance Hospital of West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan UniversityMeishanChina
| | - Yu Mao
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Sichuan Provincial People's HospitalUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
| | - Yunman Tang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Sichuan Provincial People's HospitalUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
| | - Li Cao
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Centre for Medical Genetics, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's HospitalUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
- Research Unit for Blindness Prevention of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU026), Sichuan Academy of Medical SciencesChengduChina
| | - Qin Du
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Centre for Medical Genetics, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's HospitalUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
- Research Unit for Blindness Prevention of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU026), Sichuan Academy of Medical SciencesChengduChina
| | - Jianan Li
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Centre for Medical Genetics, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's HospitalUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
- Research Unit for Blindness Prevention of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU026), Sichuan Academy of Medical SciencesChengduChina
| | - Jiyun Yang
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Centre for Medical Genetics, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's HospitalUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
- Research Unit for Blindness Prevention of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU026), Sichuan Academy of Medical SciencesChengduChina
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Pogorelić Z, Milovac B, Čohadžić T, Todorić J. Safety and Effectiveness of Meatal Mobilization (MEMO) Technique for Glandular, Coronal, and Subcoronal Hypospadias Repair in Children: A 5-Year Single-Center Study with 105 Hypospadias. Biomedicines 2024; 12:831. [PMID: 38672186 PMCID: PMC11047938 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12040831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aims to compare outcomes of treatment, in terms of early and late complications, between the Snodgrass and meatal mobilization (MEMO) techniques in children operated on because of distal hypospadias. METHODS The medical records of 127 children who underwent glandular, coronal, or subcoronal hypospadias repair between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 105 children met the inclusion criteria and were included in further analysis. The inclusion criteria were pediatric patients who underwent glandular, coronal, or subcoronal hypospadias repair using MEMO (n = 49) or the Snodgrass technique (n = 56) as a comparative group. The primary outcome of this study was the incidence of early and late complications with two different surgical techniques. Secondary outcomes were the duration of surgery, the length of hospital stay, the number of readmissions or unplanned returns to the operating room, and repeat surgeries between groups. RESULTS The median age of all patients was 17 (interquartile range, IQR 13, 29) months, with a median follow-up of 26 (IQR 17, 34) months. Regarding the type of hypospadias, the majority of patients in both groups were categorized as coronal and subroronal hypospadias. Regarding the incidence of postoperative complications, a significantly lower incidence of postoperative complications was found in the MEMO group compared to the Snodgrass group (n = 4; 8.2% vs. n = 14; 25%; p = 0.037). An urethrocutaneous fistula was the most common complication in the Snodgrass group (n = 8; 14.3%), while in the MEMO group, only one patient (2%) developed a fistula (p = 0.034). The incidence of meatal stenosis (p = 0.621) and wound infections (p > 0.999) was low in both groups. No further complications were recorded during the follow-up period. Duration of surgery (41 min (IQR 38, 47) vs. 51 min (IQR 45.5, 61); p < 0.001), duration of hospitalization (1 day (IQR 1, 2) vs. 3 days (IQR 2, 6); p < 0.001), and time to catheter removal (3 days (IQR 2.5, 5) vs. 6 days (IQR 6, 8); p < 0.001) were significantly lower in patients operated on with MEMO compared to the Snodgrass technique. Only one case of readmission due to severe wound infection which led to suturing line dehiscence was recorded in the Snodgrass group. The incidence of redo surgery was significantly lower in the MEMO group than in the Snodgrass group (n = 3; 6.1% vs. n = 11; 19.6%; p = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS MEMO is a safe and effective technique that can be used for the treatment of distal hypospadias. It showed excellent outcomes, cosmetic results, and a low incidence of complications as well as a significantly shorter duration of surgery compared to the Snodgrass technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zenon Pogorelić
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
| | - Boris Milovac
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
| | - Tin Čohadžić
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
| | - Jakov Todorić
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
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Wei X, Li S, He Y. NR5A1-related 46,XY partial gonadal dysgenesis: A case report and literature review. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e36725. [PMID: 38206718 PMCID: PMC10754607 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000036725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Disorders/differences of sex development (DSD) include a diverse group of congenital conditions in which the development of chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical sex is discordant. It involves several variant genes, and one of them is NR5A1. NR5A1 encodes a signal transduction regulator in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal pathway, and pathogenic mutation in this gene is a cause of 46,XY DSD. PATIENT CONCERNS A 12-year-old individual raised as a girl was admitted to the hospital due to hirsutism and a deep voice that began at 11 years old. The individual exhibited testicular hypoplasia, clitoral hypertrophy, and female external genitalia. DIAGNOSES The patient was diagnosed 46,XY partial gonadal dysgenesis. The cytogenetics revealed a 46,XY karyotype and DNA sequencing shown a variant in NR5A1. Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging showed absence of uterus and ovaries. The abdominopelvic ultrasound revealed bilateral testicle in bilateral groin. Pathology confirmed testes dysgenesis. INTERVENTIONS The patient underwent bilateral orchiectomy at age 12 years and was given a feminizing hormonal treatment of 0.5 mg/day of estradiol valerate tablets. OUTCOMES The patient recovered well after surgery and hormonal treatment and had a regression in hirsutism and clitoromegaly. LESSONS 46,XY DSD is a rare disease that the development of chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical sex is discordant, when diagnosed 46,XY DSD, the identification of an NR5A1 variant should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianzhen Wei
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Medicine of Guangxi Department of Education, Nanning city, Guangxi, China
| | - Shan Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Medicine of Guangxi Department of Education, Nanning city, Guangxi, China
| | - Yu He
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Medicine of Guangxi Department of Education, Nanning city, Guangxi, China
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Gold S, Huang C, Radi R, Gupta P, Felner EI, Haw JS, Childress K, Sokkary N, Tangpricha V, Goodman M, Yeung H. Dermatologic care of patients with differences of sex development. Int J Womens Dermatol 2023; 9:e106. [PMID: 37671254 PMCID: PMC10473340 DOI: 10.1097/jw9.0000000000000106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Differences of sex development (DSD or disorders of sex development) are uncommon congenital conditions, characterized by atypical development of chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomic sex. Objective Dermatologic care is an important component of the multidisciplinary care needed for individuals with DSD. This article discusses the most common primary dermatologic manifestations of DSD in addition to the cutaneous manifestations of hormonal and surgical therapies in individuals with DSD. Data sources Published articles including case series and case reports on PubMed. Study selections Selection was conducted by examining existing literature with a team of multidisciplinary specialists. Methods Narrative review. Limitations This article was not conducted as a systematic review. Results In Klinefelter syndrome, refractory leg ulcers and incontinentia pigmenti have been described. Turner syndrome is associated with lymphatic malformations, halo nevi, dermatitis, and psoriasis. Virilization can be seen in some forms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, where acne and hirsutism are common. Conclusion Dermatologists should consider teratogenic risk for treatments of skin conditions in DSD depending on pregnancy potential. Testosterone replacement, commonly used for Klinefelter syndrome, androgen insensitivity syndrome, 5-alpha reductase deficiency, gonadal dysgenesis, or ovotesticular DSD, may cause acne.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Gold
- Department of Dermatology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Christina Huang
- Department of Dermatology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Rakan Radi
- Department of Dermatology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Pranav Gupta
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Eric I. Felner
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jeehea Sonya Haw
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Krista Childress
- Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, University of Utah, Primary Children’s Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Nancy Sokkary
- Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Vin Tangpricha
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipids, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Michael Goodman
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Howa Yeung
- Department of Dermatology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
- Clinical Resource Hub, Veterans Administration Veterans Integrated Service Network 7 Southeast Network, Decatur, Georgia
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9
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Faradz SMH, Listyasari N, Utari A, Ariani MD, Juniarto AZ, Santosa A, Ediati A, Rinne TK, Westra D, Claahsen-van der Grinten H, de Jong FH, Drop SLS, Ayers K, Sinclair A. Lessons Learned from 17 Years of Multidisciplinary Care for Differences of Sex Development Patients at a Single Indonesian Center. Sex Dev 2023; 17:170-180. [PMID: 37699373 PMCID: PMC11232949 DOI: 10.1159/000534085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our multidisciplinary team (MDT) is a large specialized team based in Semarang, Indonesia, that cares for a wide variety of pediatric and adult individuals with differences of sex development (DSD) from across Indonesia. Here, we describe our work over the last 17 years. METHODS We analyzed phenotypic, hormonal, and genetic findings from clinical records for all patients referred to our MDT during the period 2004-2020. RESULTS Among 1,184 DSD patients, 10% had sex chromosome DSD, 67% had 46,XY DSD, and 23% had 46,XX DSD. The most common sex chromosome anomaly was Turner syndrome (45,X) (55 cases). For patients with 46,XY DSD under-masculinization was the most common diagnosis (311 cases), and for 46,XX DSD, a defect of Müllerian development was most common (131 cases) followed by congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) (116 cases). Sanger sequencing, MLPA, and targeted gene sequencing of 257 patients with 46,XY DSD found likely causative variants in 21% (55 cases), with 13 diagnostic genes implicated. The most affected gene codes for the androgen receptor. Molecular analysis identified a diagnosis for 69 of 116 patients with CAH, with 62 carrying variants in CYP21A2 including four novel variants, and 7 patients carrying variants in CYP11B1. In many cases, these genetic diagnoses influenced the clinical management of patients and their families. CONCLUSIONS Our work has highlighted the occurrence of different DSDs in Indonesia. By applying sequencing technologies as part of our clinical care, we have delivered a number of genetic diagnoses and identified novel pathogenic variants in some genes, which may be clinically specific to Indonesia. Genetics can inform many aspects of DSD clinical management, and while many of our patients remain undiagnosed, we hope that future testing may provide answers for even more.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sultana M H Faradz
- Division of Human Genetics, Center for Biomedical Research (CEBIOR), Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro/Diponegoro National Hospital, Semarang, Indonesia
- Post Graduate School, Universitas YARSI, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Nurin Listyasari
- Division of Human Genetics, Center for Biomedical Research (CEBIOR), Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro/Diponegoro National Hospital, Semarang, Indonesia,
| | - Agustini Utari
- Division of Human Genetics, Center for Biomedical Research (CEBIOR), Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro/Diponegoro National Hospital, Semarang, Indonesia
- Department of Pediatrics, Diponegoro National Hospital/Dr. Kariadi Hospital, Semarang, Indonesia
| | - Mahayu Dewi Ariani
- Division of Human Genetics, Center for Biomedical Research (CEBIOR), Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro/Diponegoro National Hospital, Semarang, Indonesia
| | - Achmad Zulfa Juniarto
- Division of Human Genetics, Center for Biomedical Research (CEBIOR), Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro/Diponegoro National Hospital, Semarang, Indonesia
| | - Ardy Santosa
- Department of Urology, Dr. Kariadi Hospital, Semarang, Indonesia
| | | | - Tuula K Rinne
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Dineke Westra
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Frank H de Jong
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Stenvert L S Drop
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Sophia Children's Hospital/Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Katie Ayers
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew Sinclair
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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10
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Heidari F, Rahbaran M, Mirzaei A, Mozafari Tabatabaei M, Shokrpoor S, Mahjoubi F, Ara MS, Akbarinejad V, Gharagozloo F. The study of a hermaphroditic sheep caused by a mutation in the promoter of SRY gene. Vet Anim Sci 2023; 21:100308. [PMID: 37593675 PMCID: PMC10428133 DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2023.100308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In mammals, sex-determining region Y (SRY) gene plays vital role as a transcription factor to regulate the expression of the genes contributing to development of male genitals. Any mutation disrupting expression of SRY gene can cause disorders of sex development (DSDs). In this study, the examination of a hermaphroditic (female-like) Shal sheep which was referred for infertility is described. Initially, the reproductive system of the sheep was histologically and anatomically assessed. Karyotyping was used to determine the real gender of the animal. Sex hormones including progesterone, estradiol, and testosterone were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Eventually, promoter part and SRY gene were sequenced and aligned to detect any potential mutation using NCBI data base. Although anatomical inspection led to identification of uterus, ovary, and enlarged clitoris as well as testes in the sheep, the karyotyping results interestingly revealed that the animal was genetically a male. Although the sheep had both male and female gonads, there were no overt signs of reproductive behavior and gamete production was not observed. Plasma steroid hormone levels were reported to be at basal levels. Additionally, a mutation was detected on the promoter of the SRY gene. In conclusion, the case implies that mutation on the promoter part of SRY gene could disrupt sexual development of the fetus culminating in DSDs in the sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farid Heidari
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohaddeseh Rahbaran
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Asieh Mirzaei
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehran Mozafari Tabatabaei
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Animal Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - Sara Shokrpoor
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Frouzandeh Mahjoubi
- Department of Medical Genetic, Institute of Medical Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Shams Ara
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahid Akbarinejad
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Faramarz Gharagozloo
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Tehran, Iran
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11
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Zelco A, Wapeesittipan P, Joshi A. Insights into Sex and Gender Differences in Brain and Psychopathologies Using Big Data. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1676. [PMID: 37629533 PMCID: PMC10455614 DOI: 10.3390/life13081676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The societal implication of sex and gender (SG) differences in brain are profound, as they influence brain development, behavior, and importantly, the presentation, prevalence, and therapeutic response to diseases. Technological advances have enabled speed up identification and characterization of SG differences during development and in psychopathologies. The main aim of this review is to elaborate on new technological advancements, such as genomics, imaging, and emerging biobanks, coupled with bioinformatics analyses of data generated from these technologies have facilitated the identification and characterization of SG differences in the human brain through development and psychopathologies. First, a brief explanation of SG concepts is provided, along with a developmental and evolutionary context. We then describe physiological SG differences in brain activity and function, and in psychopathologies identified through imaging techniques. We further provide an overview of insights into SG differences using genomics, specifically taking advantage of large cohorts and biobanks. We finally emphasize how bioinformatics analyses of big data generated by emerging technologies provides new opportunities to reduce SG disparities in health outcomes, including major challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anagha Joshi
- Department of Clinical Science, Computational Biology Unit, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway; (A.Z.); (P.W.)
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12
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de Oliveira FR, Mazzola TN, de Mello MP, Francese-Santos AP, de Lemos-Marini SHV, Maciel-Guerra AT, Hiort O, Werner R, Guerra-Junior G, Fabbri-Scallet H. DHX37 and NR5A1 Variants Identified in Patients with 46,XY Partial Gonadal Dysgenesis. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1093. [PMID: 37240737 PMCID: PMC10222664 DOI: 10.3390/life13051093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The group of disorders known as 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis (GD) is characterized by anomalies in testis determination, including complete and partial GD (PGD) and testicular regression syndrome (TRS). Several genes are known to be involved in sex development pathways, however approximately 50% of all cases remain elusive. Recent studies have identified variants in DHX37, a gene encoding a putative RNA helicase essential in ribosome biogenesis and previously associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, as a cause of PGD and TRS. To investigate the potential role of DHX37 in disorders of sexual development (DSD), 25 individuals with 46,XY DSD were analyzed and putative pathogenic variants were found in four of them. WES analyses were performed on these patients. In DHX37, the variant p.(Arg308Gln), recurrent associated with DSD, was identified in one patient; the p.(Leu467Val), predicted to be deleterious, was found together with an NR5A1 loss-of-function variant in patient 2; and, the p.(Val999Met) was identified in two unrelated patients, one of whom (patient 3) also carried a pathogenic NR5A1 variant. For both patients carrying DHX37 and NR5A1 pathogenic variants, a digenic inheritance is suggested. Our findings support the importance of DHX37 variants as a cause of disorders of sex development, implying a role in testis development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Rodrigues de Oliveira
- Center for Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering (CBMEG), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-875, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Child and Adolescent Health, School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-887, Brazil
| | - Taís Nitsch Mazzola
- Center for Investigation in Paediatric, School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-887, Brazil
| | - Maricilda Palandi de Mello
- Center for Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering (CBMEG), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-875, Brazil
- Interdisciplinary Group for the Study of Sex Determination and Differentiation (GIEDDS), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-887, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Francese-Santos
- Department of Translational Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-887, Brazil
| | | | - Andrea Trevas Maciel-Guerra
- Interdisciplinary Group for the Study of Sex Determination and Differentiation (GIEDDS), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-887, Brazil
- Department of Translational Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-887, Brazil
| | - Olaf Hiort
- Division of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Ralf Werner
- Division of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Gil Guerra-Junior
- Interdisciplinary Group for the Study of Sex Determination and Differentiation (GIEDDS), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-887, Brazil
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-887, Brazil
| | - Helena Fabbri-Scallet
- Center for Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering (CBMEG), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-875, Brazil
- Interdisciplinary Group for the Study of Sex Determination and Differentiation (GIEDDS), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-887, Brazil
- Department of Translational Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-887, Brazil
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13
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Reyes AP, León NY, Frost ER, Harley VR. Genetic control of typical and atypical sex development. Nat Rev Urol 2023:10.1038/s41585-023-00754-x. [PMID: 37020056 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-023-00754-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
Sex development relies on the sex-specific action of gene networks to differentiate the bipotential gonads of the growing fetus into testis or ovaries, followed by the differentiation of internal and external genitalia depending on the presence or absence of hormones. Differences in sex development (DSD) arise from congenital alterations during any of these processes, and are classified depending on sex chromosomal constitution as sex chromosome DSD, 46,XY DSD or 46,XX DSD. Understanding the genetics and embryology of typical and atypical sex development is essential for diagnosing, treating and managing DSD. Advances have been made in understanding the genetic causes of DSD over the past 10 years, especially for 46,XY DSD. Additional information is required to better understand ovarian and female development and to identify further genetic causes of 46,XX DSD, besides congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Ongoing research is focused on the discovery of further genes related to typical and atypical sex development and, therefore, on improving diagnosis of DSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra P Reyes
- Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Genetics Department, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Nayla Y León
- Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Emily R Frost
- Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Vincent R Harley
- Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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14
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Lightfoot S, Carley M, Brinkman W, Gardner MD, Gruppen LD, Liang N, Pinkelman K, Speiser PW, Suorsa-Johnson KI, VanderBrink B, Wisniewski J, Sandberg DE, Stacey D. Co-creating a suite of patient decision aids for parents of an infant or young child with differences of sex development: A methods roadmap. FRONTIERS IN UROLOGY 2023; 2:1020152. [PMID: 37885597 PMCID: PMC10601605 DOI: 10.3389/fruro.2022.1020152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Parents and guardians of infants and young children with differences of sex development (DSD) often face numerous health and social decisions about their child's condition. While proxy health decisions can be stressful in any circumstance, they are further exacerbated in this clinical context by significant variations in clinical presentation, parental lack of knowledge about DSD, irreversibility of some options (e.g., gonadectomy), a paucity of research available about long-term outcomes, and anticipated decisional regret. This study aimed to engage clinicians, parents, and an adult living with DSD to collaboratively develop a suite of patient decision aids (PDAs) to respond to the decisional needs of parents and guardians of infants and young children diagnosed with DSD. Methods We used a systematic co-development process guided by the Ottawa Decision Support Framework and the International Patient Decision Aids Standards (IPDAS). The five steps were: literature selection, establish the team, decisional needs assessment, create the PDAs, and alpha testing. Results We developed four PDAs to support parents/guardians of infants or young children diagnosed with DSD about four priority decisions identified through our decisional needs assessment: genetic testing, gender of rearing, genital surgery and gonadal surgery. All four PDAs include information for parents about DSD, the options, reasons to choose or avoid each option, and opportunities for parents/guardians to rate the importance of features of each option to clarify their values for these features. Qualitative feedback was positive from clinicians, parents and an adult living with DSD. Conclusions These PDAs are clinical tools designed to support parents/guardians and to promote making an informed and shared DSD-related decision. While these tools are specific to DSD, they contain themes and elements translatable to other pediatric populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Meg Carley
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - William Brinkman
- Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, USA
| | - Melissa D. Gardner
- Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation & Research (CHEAR) Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Larry D. Gruppen
- Department of Learning Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Noi Liang
- Patient / Parent / Caregiver Partners
| | | | - Phyllis W. Speiser
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York, USA
- Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, USA
| | - Kristina I. Suorsa-Johnson
- Division of Pediatric Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, USA
| | - Brian VanderBrink
- Division of Urology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, USA
| | | | - David E. Sandberg
- Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation & Research (CHEAR) Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Psychology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Dawn Stacey
- School of Nursing, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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15
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Goodman M, Yacoub R, Getahun D, McCracken CE, Vupputuri S, Lash TL, Roblin D, Contreras R, Cromwell L, Gardner MD, Hoffman T, Hu H, Im TM, Prakash Asrani R, Robinson B, Xie F, Nash R, Zhang Q, Bhai SA, Venkatakrishnan K, Stoller B, Liu Y, Gullickson C, Ahmed M, Rink D, Voss A, Jung HL, Kim J, Lee PA, Sandberg DE. Cohort profile: pathways to care among people with disorders of sex development (DSD). BMJ Open 2022; 12:e063409. [PMID: 36130763 PMCID: PMC9494584 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The 'DSD Pathways' study was initiated to assess health status and patterns of care among people enrolled in large integrated healthcare systems and diagnosed with conditions comprising the broad category of disorders (differences) of sex development (DSD). The objectives of this communication are to describe methods of cohort ascertainment for two specific DSD conditions-classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia with 46,XX karyotype (46,XX CAH) and complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS). PARTICIPANTS Using electronic health records we developed an algorithm that combined diagnostic codes, clinical notes, laboratory data and pharmacy records to assign each cohort candidate a 'strength-of-evidence' score supporting the diagnosis of interest. A sample of cohort candidates underwent a review of the full medical record to determine the score cutoffs for final cohort validation. FINDINGS TO DATE Among 5404 classic 46,XX CAH cohort candidates the strength-of-evidence scores ranged between 0 and 10. Based on sample validation, the eligibility cut-off for full review was set at the strength-of-evidence score of ≥7 among children under the age of 8 years and ≥8 among older cohort candidates. The final validation of all cohort candidates who met the cut-off criteria identified 115 persons with classic 46,XX CAH. The strength-of-evidence scores among 648 CAIS cohort candidates ranged from 2 to 10. There were no confirmed CAIS cases among cohort candidates with scores <6. The in-depth medical record review for candidates with scores ≥6 identified 61 confirmed cases of CAIS. FUTURE PLANS As the first cohort of this type, the DSD Pathways study is well-positioned to fill existing knowledge gaps related to management and outcomes in this heterogeneous population. Analyses will examine diagnostic and referral patterns, adherence to care recommendations and physical and mental health morbidities examined through comparisons of DSD and reference populations and analyses of health status across DSD categories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Goodman
- Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Rami Yacoub
- Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Darios Getahun
- Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, California, USA
- Health Systems Science, Kaiser Permanente Bernard J Tyson School of Medicine, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Courtney E McCracken
- Center for Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Georgia, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Suma Vupputuri
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Timothy L Lash
- Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Aarhus Universitet, Aarhus, Midtjylland, Denmark
| | - Douglas Roblin
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Richard Contreras
- Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Lee Cromwell
- Center for Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Georgia, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Melissa D Gardner
- Susan B Meister Child Health and Evaluation Research Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Trenton Hoffman
- Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Haihong Hu
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Theresa M Im
- Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, California, USA
| | | | - Brandi Robinson
- Center for Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Georgia, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Fagen Xie
- Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Rebecca Nash
- Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Qi Zhang
- Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Sadaf A Bhai
- Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Bethany Stoller
- Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Yijun Liu
- Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Maaz Ahmed
- Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - David Rink
- Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Ava Voss
- Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Hye-Lee Jung
- Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jin Kim
- Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Peter A Lee
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David E Sandberg
- Susan B Meister Child Health and Evaluation Research Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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16
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Vihinen M. Individual Genetic Heterogeneity. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:1626. [PMID: 36140794 PMCID: PMC9498725 DOI: 10.3390/genes13091626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic variation has been widely covered in literature, however, not from the perspective of an individual in any species. Here, a synthesis of genetic concepts and variations relevant for individual genetic constitution is provided. All the different levels of genetic information and variation are covered, ranging from whether an organism is unmixed or hybrid, has variations in genome, chromosomes, and more locally in DNA regions, to epigenetic variants or alterations in selfish genetic elements. Genetic constitution and heterogeneity of microbiota are highly relevant for health and wellbeing of an individual. Mutation rates vary widely for variation types, e.g., due to the sequence context. Genetic information guides numerous aspects in organisms. Types of inheritance, whether Mendelian or non-Mendelian, zygosity, sexual reproduction, and sex determination are covered. Functions of DNA and functional effects of variations are introduced, along with mechanism that reduce and modulate functional effects, including TARAR countermeasures and intraindividual genetic conflict. TARAR countermeasures for tolerance, avoidance, repair, attenuation, and resistance are essential for life, integrity of genetic information, and gene expression. The genetic composition, effects of variations, and their expression are considered also in diseases and personalized medicine. The text synthesizes knowledge and insight on individual genetic heterogeneity and organizes and systematizes the central concepts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauno Vihinen
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC B13, Lund University, SE-22184 Lund, Sweden
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17
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Differentiating Gender and Sex in Dental Research: A Narrative Review. Int J Dent 2022; 2022:2457748. [PMID: 36051897 PMCID: PMC9427264 DOI: 10.1155/2022/2457748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
While in humans the term “sex” refers to the biological attributes that distinguish subjects as male, female, and intersex, the term “gender” refers to psychological, social, and cultural factors that strongly influence attitudes, behaviors, and relationships of individuals. Recently, it has been emphasized how the integration of these two terms in the design of the research can improve the methodology of the research itself. However, in dental research, the influence of gender has not gained enough consideration and it is often used indiscriminately as a synonym for sex. This narrative review discusses the usefulness of considering gender and sex in dental research, whose guidelines have been provided so far on this topic, and whether the top 20 dental scientific journals promote the analysis of sex and gender in their guidelines. Sex and gender analysis in dental research could be important both for analyzing biological differences such as those in the immune or neuro-immune system, cardiovascular physiology, developmental anomalies or deformities, and psychosocial differences such as lifestyle, pain experience and prevalence of chronic pain, eating behavior, and access to healthcare services. As for the specific policies for sex and gender analysis and reporting, only five out of 20 biomedical journals have included them in their editorial policy, which refers mainly to the correct use of the terms “sex” and “gender.” In conclusion, we found that no specific and differentiated sex and gender analysis and reporting are required in dental journals. Their integration, which is still not routinely applied, may be improved in the future by updating editorial guidelines and developing more specific methodological recommendations.
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18
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Xie Y, Wu C, Li Z, Wu Z, Hong L. Early Gonadal Development and Sex Determination in Mammal. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147500. [PMID: 35886859 PMCID: PMC9323860 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex determination is crucial for the transmission of genetic information through generations. In mammal, this process is primarily regulated by an antagonistic network of sex-related genes beginning in embryonic development and continuing throughout life. Nonetheless, abnormal expression of these sex-related genes will lead to reproductive organ and germline abnormalities, resulting in disorders of sex development (DSD) and infertility. On the other hand, it is possible to predetermine the sex of animal offspring by artificially regulating sex-related gene expression, a recent research hotspot. In this paper, we reviewed recent research that has improved our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the development of the gonad and primordial germ cells (PGCs), progenitors of the germline, to provide new directions for the treatment of DSD and infertility, both of which involve manipulating the sex ratio of livestock offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanshe Xie
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510630, China; (Y.X.); (C.W.); (Z.L.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Changhua Wu
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510630, China; (Y.X.); (C.W.); (Z.L.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Zicong Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510630, China; (Y.X.); (C.W.); (Z.L.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Zhenfang Wu
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510630, China; (Y.X.); (C.W.); (Z.L.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510630, China
- Correspondence: (Z.W.); (L.H.)
| | - Linjun Hong
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510630, China; (Y.X.); (C.W.); (Z.L.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510630, China
- Correspondence: (Z.W.); (L.H.)
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19
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Fang F, Iaquinta PJ, Xia N, Liu L, Diao L, Reijo Pera RA. Transcriptional control of human gametogenesis. Hum Reprod Update 2022; 28:313-345. [PMID: 35297982 PMCID: PMC9071081 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmac002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathways of gametogenesis encompass elaborate cellular specialization accompanied by precise partitioning of the genome content in order to produce fully matured spermatozoa and oocytes. Transcription factors are an important class of molecules that function in gametogenesis to regulate intrinsic gene expression programs, play essential roles in specifying (or determining) germ cell fate and assist in guiding full maturation of germ cells and maintenance of their populations. Moreover, in order to reinforce or redirect cell fate in vitro, it is transcription factors that are most frequently induced, over-expressed or activated. Many reviews have focused on the molecular development and genetics of gametogenesis, in vivo and in vitro, in model organisms and in humans, including several recent comprehensive reviews: here, we focus specifically on the role of transcription factors. Recent advances in stem cell biology and multi-omic studies have enabled deeper investigation into the unique transcriptional mechanisms of human reproductive development. Moreover, as methods continually improve, in vitro differentiation of germ cells can provide the platform for robust gain- and loss-of-function genetic analyses. These analyses are delineating unique and shared human germ cell transcriptional network components that, together with somatic lineage specifiers and pluripotency transcription factors, function in transitions from pluripotent stem cells to gametes. This grand theme review offers additional insight into human infertility and reproductive disorders that are linked predominantly to defects in the transcription factor networks and thus may potentially contribute to the development of novel treatments for infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Fang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Phillip J Iaquinta
- Division of Research, Economic Development, and Graduate Education, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, USA
| | - Ninuo Xia
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Lei Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Lei Diao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Renee A Reijo Pera
- Division of Research, Economic Development, and Graduate Education, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, USA
- McLaughlin Research Institute, Great Falls, MT, USA
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Winkler I, Jaszczuk I, Gogacz M, Szkodziak P, Paszkowski T, Skorupska K, Ciebiera M, Skrzypczak M. A Successful New Case of Twin Pregnancy in a Patient with Swyer Syndrome-An Up-to-Date Review on the Incidence and Outcome of Twin/Multiple Gestations in the Pure 46,XY Gonadal Dysgenesis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19095027. [PMID: 35564421 PMCID: PMC9100276 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background: The aim of the present study is to report a rare occurrence of a successful twin pregnancy in a woman with pure 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis. Result(s): A patient with Swyer syndrome (pure 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis) presented with a twin pregnancy after in vitro fertilization. Due to unidentified conditions, the patient developed selective intrauterine growth restriction in one of the fetuses. Twins were born at 33 weeks of pregnancy due to the risk of asphyxia. Nonetheless, the patient did not develop gonadal malignancies before the pregnancy and, despite receiving estrogen, remained amenorrheic. Conclusion(s): The aim of this case report is to show the course of twin pregnancy in patients with Swyer syndrome through assisted reproduction. Due to certain disorders in the development of their reproductive organs, such as the less mature uterus, such pregnancies may be associated with an increased risk. The above case report demonstrates the need to systematize methods of pregnancy management in patients with Swyer syndrome, such as: preparation for the pregnancy, assessment of the uterus, medications used, and necessary checkups. Capsule: This case report and review shows clinicians that patients with Swyer syndrome may become pregnant. Twin pregnancies may occur without any major problems through assisted reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izabela Winkler
- Second Department of Gynecological Oncology, St. John’s Center of Oncology of the Lublin Region, 7 Jaczewskiego Street, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
- Second Department of Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-954 Lublin, Poland; (M.G.); (K.S.); (M.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-665287585
| | - Ilona Jaszczuk
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Transplantology, Children Clinical Hospital, II Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Marek Gogacz
- Second Department of Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-954 Lublin, Poland; (M.G.); (K.S.); (M.S.)
| | - Piotr Szkodziak
- Third Department of Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-954 Lublin, Poland; (P.S.); (T.P.)
| | - Tomasz Paszkowski
- Third Department of Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-954 Lublin, Poland; (P.S.); (T.P.)
| | - Katarzyna Skorupska
- Second Department of Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-954 Lublin, Poland; (M.G.); (K.S.); (M.S.)
| | - Michał Ciebiera
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center of Postgraduate Medical Education, 01-809 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Maciej Skrzypczak
- Second Department of Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-954 Lublin, Poland; (M.G.); (K.S.); (M.S.)
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21
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Li J, Sun C, Zheng J, Li J, Yi G, Yang N. Time-Course Transcriptional and Chromatin Accessibility Profiling Reveals Genes Associated With Asymmetrical Gonadal Development in Chicken Embryos. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:832132. [PMID: 35345851 PMCID: PMC8957256 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.832132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
In birds, male gonads form on both sides whereas most females develop asymmetric gonads. Multiple early lines of evidence suggested that the right gonad fails to develop into a functional ovary, mainly due to differential expression of PITX2 in the gonadal epithelium. Despite some advances in recent years, the molecular mechanisms underlying asymmetric gonadal development remain unclear. Here, using bulk analysis of whole gonads, we established a relatively detailed profile of four representative stages of chicken gonadal development at the transcriptional and chromatin levels. We revealed that many candidate genes were significantly enriched in morphogenesis, meiosis and subcellular structure formation, which may be responsible for asymmetric gonadal development. Further chromatin accessibility analysis suggested that the transcriptional activities of the candidate genes might be regulated by nearby open chromatin regions, which may act as transcription factor (TF) binding sites and potential cis-regulatory elements. We found that LHX9 was a promising TF that bound to the left-biased peaks of many cell cycle-related genes. In summary, this study provides distinctive insights into the potential molecular basis underlying the asymmetric development of chicken gonads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianbo Li
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Congjiao Sun
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiangxia Zheng
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Junying Li
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Guoqiang Yi
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ning Yang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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22
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Sandberg DE, Gardner M. Differences/Disorders of Sex Development: Medical Conditions at the Intersection of Sex and Gender. Annu Rev Clin Psychol 2022; 18:201-231. [PMID: 35216524 PMCID: PMC10170864 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-081219-101412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Defined as congenital conditions in which development of chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomic sex is atypical, differences or disorders of sex development (DSDs) comprise many discrete diagnoses ranging from those associated with few phenotypic differences between affected and unaffected individuals to those where questions arise regarding gender of rearing, gonadal tumor risk, genital surgery, and fertility. Controversies exist in numerous areas including how DSDs are conceptualized, how to refer to the set of conditions and those affected by them, and aspects of clinical management that extend from social media to legislative bodies, courts of law, medicine, clinical practice, and scholarly research in psychology and sociology. In addition to these aspects, this review covers biological and social influences on psychosocial development and adjustment, the psychosocial and psychosexual adaptation of people born with DSDs, and roles for clinical psychologists in the clinical management of DSDs. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, Volume 18 is May 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E Sandberg
- Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA;
| | - Melissa Gardner
- Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA;
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23
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Zug R. Developmental disorders caused by haploinsufficiency of transcriptional regulators: a perspective based on cell fate determination. Biol Open 2022; 11:bio058896. [PMID: 35089335 PMCID: PMC8801891 DOI: 10.1242/bio.058896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Many human birth defects and neurodevelopmental disorders are caused by loss-of-function mutations in a single copy of transcription factor (TF) and chromatin regulator genes. Although this dosage sensitivity has long been known, how and why haploinsufficiency (HI) of transcriptional regulators leads to developmental disorders (DDs) is unclear. Here I propose the hypothesis that such DDs result from defects in cell fate determination that are based on disrupted bistability in the underlying gene regulatory network (GRN). Bistability, a crucial systems biology concept to model binary choices such as cell fate decisions, requires both positive feedback and ultrasensitivity, the latter often achieved through TF cooperativity. The hypothesis explains why dosage sensitivity of transcriptional regulators is an inherent property of fate decisions, and why disruption of either positive feedback or cooperativity in the underlying GRN is sufficient to cause disease. I present empirical and theoretical evidence in support of this hypothesis and discuss several issues for which it increases our understanding of disease, such as incomplete penetrance. The proposed framework provides a mechanistic, systems-level explanation of HI of transcriptional regulators, thus unifying existing theories, and offers new insights into outstanding issues of human disease. This article has an associated Future Leader to Watch interview with the author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Zug
- Department of Biology, Lund University, 22362 Lund, Sweden
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24
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Easterling L, Byram J. Shifting language for shifting anatomy: Using inclusive anatomical language to support transgender and nonbinary identities. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2022; 305:983-991. [PMID: 35020254 DOI: 10.1002/ar.24862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
While navigating a medical or surgical gender transition, transgender, and nonbinary people encounter anatomical language and concepts through their own informal research on the topics and directly through healthcare providers. Use of appropriate and inclusive language is important for affirming identities and can be fostered at any point during professional training through modeling of inclusive language and in the formal curriculum, including during anatomical education. In this article we discuss anatomical language and how it intersects with gender identity, first from the perspective of a transgender patient, then from the perspective of an anatomy educator. The patient shared how she benefited from informative resources, nongendered language, language tailored to her level of understanding, and providers not making generalizations about her based on her anatomy or sex assigned at birth. The educator shared her experience developing a primer on sex and gender that moved beyond a prescriptive binary and exposed students to language and concepts inclusive of diverse sexual and gender identities. Recommendations were made related to how to implement these lessons and better explore how transgender and nonbinary individuals experience anatomical language and the potential impact of language that is inclusive of gender-diverse persons in anatomical education as part of health professions programs. While sound medicine, procedure, science, and experienced professional skill were necessary, an essential positive aspect of the medical and gender transitions discussed was an intentionality around language by providers-including anatomical language.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Easterling
- Graduate Division, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.,Indiana University School of Education, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Jessica Byram
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology, and Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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25
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A new era: improving use of sociodemographic constructs in the analysis of pediatric cohort study data. Pediatr Res 2021; 90:1132-1138. [PMID: 33603207 PMCID: PMC8371054 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-021-01386-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Given the diversity of sex, gender identity, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic position (SEP) in children across the United States, it is incumbent upon pediatric and epidemiologic researchers to conduct their work in ways that promote inclusivity, understanding and reduction in inequities. Current child health research often utilizes an approach of "convenience" in how data related to these constructs are collected, categorized, and included in models; the field needs to be more systematic and thoughtful in its approach to understand how sociodemographics affect child health. We offer suggestions for improving the discourse around sex, gender identity, race, ethnicity, and SEP in child health research. We explain how analytic models should be driven by a conceptual framework grounding the choices of variables that are included in analyses, without the automatic "adjusting for" all sociodemographic constructs. We propose to leverage newly available data from large multi-cohort consortia as unique opportunities to improve the current standards for analyzing and reporting core sociodemographic constructs. Improving the characterization and interpretation of child health studies with regards to core sociodemographic constructs is critical for optimizing child health and reducing inequities in the health and well-being of all children across the United States. IMPACT: Current child health research often utilizes an approach of "convenience" in how data related to sex, race/ethnicity, and SEP are collected, categorized, and included in models. We offer suggestions for how scholars can improve the discourse around sex, gender identity, race, ethnicity, and SEP in child health research. We explain how analytic models should be driven by a conceptual framework grounding the choices of variables that are included in analyses. We propose to leverage newly available large cohort consortia of child health studies as opportunities to improve the current standards for analyzing and reporting core sociodemographic constructs.
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26
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Morgenroth T, Ryan MK. The Effects of Gender Trouble: An Integrative Theoretical Framework of the Perpetuation and Disruption of the Gender/Sex Binary. PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2021; 16:1113-1142. [PMID: 32375012 PMCID: PMC8564221 DOI: 10.1177/1745691620902442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
In the Western world, gender has traditionally been viewed as binary and as following directly from biological sex. This view is slowly changing among both experts and the general public, a change that has been met with strong opposition. In this article, we explore the psychological processes underlying these dynamics. Drawing on previous work on gender performativity as well as gender as a performance, we develop a psychological framework of the perpetuation and disruption of the gender/sex binary on a stage that facilitates and foregrounds binary gender/sex performance. Whenever character, costume, and script are not aligned the gender/sex binary is disrupted and gender trouble ensues. We integrate various strands of the psychological literature into this framework and explain the processes underlying these reactions. We propose that gender trouble can elicit threat-personal threat, group-based and identity threat, and system threat-which in turn leads to efforts to alleviate this threat through the reinforcement of the gender/sex binary. Our framework challenges the way psychologists have traditionally treated gender/sex in theory and empirical work and proposes new avenues and implications for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michelle K. Ryan
- Department of Psychology,
University of Exeter
- Faculty of Economics and Business,
University of Groningen
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27
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Singh N, Singh D, Modi D. LIM Homeodomain (LIM-HD) Genes and Their Co-Regulators in Developing Reproductive System and Disorders of Sex Development. Sex Dev 2021; 16:147-161. [PMID: 34518474 DOI: 10.1159/000518323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
LIM homeodomain (LIM-HD) family genes are transcription factors that play crucial roles in a variety of functions during embryonic development. The activities of the LIM-HD proteins are regulated by the co-regulators LIM only (LMO) and LIM domain-binding (LDB). In the mouse genome, there are 13 LIM-HD genes (Lhx1-Lhx9, Isl1-2, Lmx1a-1b), 4 Lmo genes (Lmo1-4), and 2 Ldb genes (Ldb1-2). Amongst these, Lhx1 is required for the development of the müllerian duct epithelium and the timing of the primordial germ cell migration. Lhx8 is necessary for oocyte differentiation and Lhx9 for somatic cell proliferation in the genital ridges and control of testosterone production in the Leydig cells. Lmo4 is involved in Sertoli cell differentiation. Mutations in LHX1 are associated with müllerian agenesis or Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome. LHX9 gene variants are reported in cases with disorders of sex development (DSD). Mutations in LHX3 and LHX4 are reported in patients with combined pituitary hormone deficiency having absent or delayed puberty. A transcript map of the Lhx, Lmo, and Ldb genes reveal that multiple LIM-HD genes and their co-regulators are expressed in a sexually dimorphic pattern in the developing mouse gonads. Unraveling the roles of LIM-HD genes during development will aid in our understanding of the causes of DSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Singh
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR-NIRRH), Mumbai, India
| | - Domdatt Singh
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR-NIRRH), Mumbai, India
| | - Deepak Modi
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR-NIRRH), Mumbai, India
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Syryn H, Van De Vijver K, Cools M. Ovotesticular Difference of Sex Development: Genetic Background, Histological Features, and Clinical Management. Horm Res Paediatr 2021; 96:180-189. [PMID: 34469891 DOI: 10.1159/000519323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ovotesticular disorder/difference of sex development (DSD) refers to the co-presence of testicular and ovarian tissue in one individual. Childhood management is challenging as there are many uncertainties regarding etiology, gonadal function, and gender outcome. SUMMARY Ovotesticular DSD should mainly be considered in 46,XX children with atypical genitalia and normal adrenal steroid profiles. Various underlying genetic mechanisms have been described. Histological assessment of ovotestes requires expert revision and has many pitfalls. Neonatal sex assignment is essential, but as gender outcome is unpredictable, this should be regarded as provisional until a stable gender identity has developed. Therefore, it is crucial not to perform any irreversible medical or surgical procedure in affected individuals until adolescents can give their full informed consent. Gonadal function mostly allows for spontaneous pubertal development; however, fertility is compromised, especially in boys. Specific long-term outcome data for ovotesticular DSD are lacking but can be extrapolated from studies in other DSD populations. Key Messages: Management of ovotesticular DSD has changed in recent years, prioritizing the child's future right for autonomy and self-determination. The benefits and pitfalls of this new approach have not been documented yet and require intensive monitoring on an international scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannes Syryn
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Martine Cools
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University and Pediatric Endocrinology Service, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
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29
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Štrkalj G, Pather N. Beyond the Sex Binary: Toward the Inclusive Anatomical Sciences Education. ANATOMICAL SCIENCES EDUCATION 2021; 14:513-518. [PMID: 32735387 DOI: 10.1002/ase.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Developments in biology and genetics in recent decades have caused significant shifts in the understanding and conceptualization of human biological variation. Humans vary biologically in different ways, including individually, due to age, ancestry, and sex. An understanding of the complexities of all levels of biological variation is necessary for efficient health care delivery. Important steps in teaching medical students about human variation could be carried out in anatomy classes, and thus, it is important that anatomical education absorbs new developments in how biological variation is comprehended. Since the early 1990s biological sex in humans has been vigorously investigated by scientists, social scientists, and interest groups. Consequently, the binary division in male and female sex has been called into question and a more fluid understanding of sex has been proposed. Some of the major textbooks teach anatomy, particularly of the urogenital system, as a male-female binary. Anatomical sciences curricula need to adopt a more current approach to sex including the introduction of the category of "intersex"/"differences in sexual development" and present sex as a continuum rather than two sharply divided sets of characteristics. This approach offers a better understanding of the complexity of sex differences and, at the same time, provides students with an improved theoretical framework for understanding human variation in general, transcending the limitations of biological typology. When well delivered, the non-binary approach could play a significant contribution to the formation of competent and responsible medical practitioners and avoidance of problematic practices such as non-consensual "normalizing" surgeries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goran Štrkalj
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nalini Pather
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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30
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Steinmacher S, Brucker SY, Kölle A, Krämer B, Schöller D, Rall K. Malignant Germ Cell Tumors and Their Precursor Gonadal Lesions in Patients with XY-DSD: A Case Series and Review of the Literature. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18115648. [PMID: 34070473 PMCID: PMC8197511 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18115648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The risk of gonadal germ cell tumors is increased over the lifetime of patients with XY-disorders of sex development (XY-DSD). The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical features and histopathological outcome after gonadectomy in patients with XY-DSD to assess the risk of malignant transformation to gonadal germ cell tumors. Thirty-five women treated for XY-DSD at our hospital between 2003 and 2020 were enrolled in this study. Twenty-seven (77%) underwent prophylactic gonadectomy, 10 (29%) at our department and 17 (48%) at external hospitals. Eight (23%) patients didn’t receive gonadectomy. Of the patients who underwent a surgical procedure at our hospital, two patients were diagnosed with a unilateral seminoma, one patient with a bilateral and one patient with a unilateral Sertoli cell adenoma. According to these findings, preventive gonadectomy in patients with XY-DSD should be taken into consideration. Guidelines concerning the necessity of gonadectomy to avoid malignant transformation are still lacking. The risk of malignant germ cell tumors from rudimentary gonads has not been investigated sufficiently to date, as it is mostly based on case series due to the rarity of the condition. In our study we retrospectively analyzed patients who partly underwent bilateral gonadectomy, aiming to fill this gap. Concerning the ideal point of time for gonadectomy, further studies with a higher number of patients are needed.
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31
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Chen CQ, Liu Z, Lu YS, Pan M, Huang H. True hermaphroditism with dysgerminoma: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020; 99:e20472. [PMID: 32481455 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000020472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION True hermaphroditism is a rare and usually sporadic disorder. It is defined by the presence of both ovarian and testicular tissues together as ovotestis. PATIENT CONCERNS In this study, we reported a rare true hermaphroditism case with dysgerminoma. A 49-year-old woman developed masses in both inguinal regions for 30 years. Recently 3 months, the patient found that the size of mass in her left inguinal region was significantly increased. DIAGNOSIS After surgical resection, the results of immunohistochemical examination in left mass revealed a dysgerminoma with positive expression of placental alkaline phosphatase and octamer-binding transcription factor 3/4, and right mass was a cryptorchidism. Chromosomal analysis revealed the karyotype 46, XY. Combined immunohistochemical and karyotype analysis, a diagnosis of true hermaphroditism with dysgerminoma was made. INTERVENTIONS Radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy after tumor resection was used to improve her prognosis. Hormone replacement therapy with conjugated estrogen and medroxyprogesterone acetate were used to maintain her female characteristics. OUTCOMES The patient underwent hormonal replacement and has been well for 6 months. CONCLUSION The positive expression of placental alkaline phosphatase and octamer-binding transcription factor 3/4 could be 2 diagnosis markers of dysgerminoma. Surgery combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy could improve the prognosis of dysgerminoma. Moreover, hormone replacement therapy with conjugated estrogen and medroxyprogesterone acetate was very helpful to maintain the female characteristic of patients with true hermaphroditism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Qiao Chen
- The Department of Oncology, People's Hospital of Guilin
- The Department of Oncology, Fifth Clinical Medical College
| | - Zheng Liu
- College of Medical Laboratory Science, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
| | - Yu-Song Lu
- The Department of Oncology, People's Hospital of Guilin
| | - Min Pan
- The Department of Oncology, People's Hospital of Guilin
| | - Hui Huang
- The Department of Oncology, People's Hospital of Guilin
- The Department of Oncology, Fifth Clinical Medical College
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32
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Mamlouk GM, Dorris DM, Barrett LR, Meitzen J. Sex bias and omission in neuroscience research is influenced by research model and journal, but not reported NIH funding. Front Neuroendocrinol 2020; 57:100835. [PMID: 32070715 PMCID: PMC7225067 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2020.100835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Neuroscience research has historically demonstrated sex bias that favors male over female research subjects, as well as sex omission, which is the lack of reporting sex. Here we analyzed the status of sex bias and omission in neuroscience research published across six different journals in 2017. Regarding sex omission, 16% of articles did not report sex. Regarding sex bias, 52% of neuroscience articles reported using both males and females, albeit only 15% of articles using both males and females reported assessing sex as an experimental variable. Overrepresentation of the sole use of males compared to females persisted (26% versus 5%, respectively). Sex bias and omission differed across research models, but not by reported NIH funding status. Sex omission differed across journals. These findings represent the latest information regarding the complex status of sex in neuroscience research and illustrate the continued need for thoughtful and informed action to enhance scientific discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella M Mamlouk
- Dept. of Biological Sciences, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - David M Dorris
- Dept. of Biological Sciences, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Lily R Barrett
- Dept. of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
| | - John Meitzen
- Dept. of Biological Sciences, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, United States; Center for Human Health and the Environment, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, United States.
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33
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Chamberlin A, Huether R, Machado AZ, Groden M, Liu HM, Upadhyay K, O V, Gomes NL, Lerario AM, Nishi MY, Costa EMF, Mendonca B, Domenice S, Velasco J, Loke J, Ostrer H. Mutations in MAP3K1 that cause 46,XY disorders of sex development disrupt distinct structural domains in the protein. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 28:1620-1628. [PMID: 30608580 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/31/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Missense mutations in the gene, MAP3K1, are a common cause of 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis, accounting for 15-20% of cases [Ostrer, 2014, Disorders of sex development (DSDs): an update. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., 99, 1503-1509]. Functional studies demonstrated that all of these mutations cause a protein gain-of-function that alters co-factor binding and increases phosphorylation of the downstream MAP kinase pathway targets, MAPK11, MAP3K and MAPK1. This dysregulation of the MAP kinase pathway results in increased CTNNB1, increased expression of WNT4 and FOXL2 and decreased expression of SRY and SOX9. Unique and recurrent pathogenic mutations cluster in three semi-contiguous domains outside the kinase region of the protein, a newly identified N-terminal domain that shares homology with the Guanine Exchange Factor (residues Met164 to Glu231), a Plant HomeoDomain (residues Met442 to Trp495) and an ARMadillo repeat domain (residues Met566 to Glu862). Despite the presence of the mutation clusters and clinical data, there exists a dearth of mechanistic insights behind the development imbalance. In this paper, we use structural modeling and functional data of these mutations to understand alterations of the MAP3K1 protein and the effects on protein folding, binding and downstream target phosphorylation. We show that these mutations have differential effects on protein binding depending on the domains in which they occur. These mutations increase the binding of the RHOA, MAP3K4 and FRAT1 proteins and generally decrease the binding of RAC1. Thus, pathologies in MAP3K1 disrupt the balance between the pro-kinase activities of the RHOA and MAP3K4 binding partners and the inhibitory activity of RAC1.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Aline Z Machado
- Division of Endocrinology, Hormone and Molecular Genetics Laboratory (LIM), Hospital das Clinicas, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Avenida Dr. Eneas de C Aguiar, andar Bloco, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Michael Groden
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | | | - Kinnari Upadhyay
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Vivian O
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Nathalia L Gomes
- Division of Endocrinology, Hormone and Molecular Genetics Laboratory (LIM), Hospital das Clinicas, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Avenida Dr. Eneas de C Aguiar, andar Bloco, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Antonio M Lerario
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Mirian Y Nishi
- Division of Endocrinology, Hormone and Molecular Genetics Laboratory (LIM), Hospital das Clinicas, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Avenida Dr. Eneas de C Aguiar, andar Bloco, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Elaine M F Costa
- Division of Endocrinology, Hormone and Molecular Genetics Laboratory (LIM), Hospital das Clinicas, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Avenida Dr. Eneas de C Aguiar, andar Bloco, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Berenice Mendonca
- Division of Endocrinology, Hormone and Molecular Genetics Laboratory (LIM), Hospital das Clinicas, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Avenida Dr. Eneas de C Aguiar, andar Bloco, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Sorahia Domenice
- Division of Endocrinology, Hormone and Molecular Genetics Laboratory (LIM), Hospital das Clinicas, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Avenida Dr. Eneas de C Aguiar, andar Bloco, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Johnny Loke
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Harry Ostrer
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
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García-Acero M, Moreno O, Suárez F, Rojas A. Disorders of Sexual Development: Current Status and Progress in the Diagnostic Approach. Curr Urol 2020; 13:169-178. [PMID: 31998049 DOI: 10.1159/000499274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Disorders of sexual development (DSD) are conditions with an atypical chromosomal, gonadal or phenotypic sex, which leads to differences in the development of the urogenital tract and different clinical phenotypes. Some genes have been implicated in the sex development during gonadal and functional differentiation where the maintenance of the somatic sex of the gonad as either male or female is achieved by suppression of the alternate route. The diagnosis of DSD requires a structured approach, involving a multidisciplinary team and different molecular techniques. We discuss the dimorphic genes and the specific pathways involved in gonadal differentiation, as well as new techniques for genetic analysis and their diagnostic value including epigenetic mechanisms, expanding the evidence in the diagnostic approach of individuals with DSD to increase knowledge of the etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary García-Acero
- Human Genetic Institute, Medicine Faculty, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Olga Moreno
- Human Genetic Institute, Medicine Faculty, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Fernando Suárez
- Human Genetic Institute, Medicine Faculty, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Adriana Rojas
- Human Genetic Institute, Medicine Faculty, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
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García-Acero M, Moreno-Niño O, Suárez-Obando F, Molina M, Manotas MC, Prieto JC, Forero C, Céspedes C, Pérez J, Fernandez N, Rojas A. Disorders of sex development: Genetic characterization of a patient cohort. Mol Med Rep 2019; 21:97-106. [PMID: 31746433 PMCID: PMC6896350 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2019.10819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Disorders of sex development (DSDs) are congenital conditions in which the external appearance of the individual does not coincide with the chromosomal constitution or the gonadal sex. In other words, there is an ambiguous or intermediate condition between the male and female phenotypes of the anatomical sex. These atypical conditions are manifested in several ways, ranging from genital ambiguity to phenotypes that are so attenuated that they can go unnoticed or appear normal. Currently, there is a lack of understanding of the factors responsible for these outcomes; however, they are likely to be conditioned by genetic, hormonal and environmental factors during prenatal and postnatal development. The present study determined the genetic etiology of DSDs in Colombian patients by conventional cytogenetic analysis, FISH and MLPA (for SF1, DAX1, SOX9, SRY and WNT4). A cohort of 43 patients with clinical phenotypes of sex development disorder was used in the present study. Using this multistep experimental approach, a diagnostic percentage of 25.58% was obtained: 17 patients (39.53%) were classified as having gonadal development disorders, the majority of which were ovotesticular disorders with numerical and/or structural alterations of the sex chromosomes, 9 patients (20.93%) were classified as having testicular DSD with a 46,XY karyotype, and 3 patients (6.98%) as having ovarian DSD with a 46,XX karyotype. The remaining 14 patients (32.56%) were classified as 'other' since they could not be grouped into a specific class of gonadal development, corresponding to hypospadias and multiple congenital anomalies. These findings highlight the importance of histological and cytogenetic studies in a gonadal biopsy. In 11/43 cases, the multistep experimental protocol presented in the present study yielded etiological or histological findings that could be used to define the medical management of patients with DSDs. In conclusion, for the etiological diagnosis of DSDs, a broad‑spectrum approach that includes endocrinological tests, conventional karyotyping, molecular karyotyping by FISH and, molecular tests is required, in addition to gonadal tissue analyses, to identify genetic alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary García-Acero
- Instituto de Genética Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, Colombia
| | - Olga Moreno-Niño
- Instituto de Genética Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, Colombia
| | - Fernando Suárez-Obando
- Instituto de Genética Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, Colombia
| | - Mónica Molina
- Instituto de Genética Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, Colombia
| | - María Carolina Manotas
- Instituto de Genética Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, Colombia
| | - Juan Carlos Prieto
- Instituto de Genética Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, Colombia
| | - Catalina Forero
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, Colombia
| | - Camila Céspedes
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, Colombia
| | - Jaime Pérez
- Division of Urology, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, Colombia
| | - Nicolas Fernandez
- Division of Urology, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, Colombia
| | - Adriana Rojas
- Instituto de Genética Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, Colombia
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Tannenbaum C, Ellis RP, Eyssel F, Zou J, Schiebinger L. Sex and gender analysis improves science and engineering. Nature 2019; 575:137-146. [DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1657-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 202] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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Sandberg DE, Gardner M, Kopec K, Urbanski M, Callens N, Keegan CE, Yashar BM, Fechner PY, Shnorhavorian M, Vilain E, Timmermans S, Siminoff LA. Development of a decision support tool in pediatric Differences/Disorders of Sex Development. Semin Pediatr Surg 2019; 28:150838. [PMID: 31668291 PMCID: PMC6911706 DOI: 10.1016/j.sempedsurg.2019.150838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Decisions about how best to clinically care for young children born with Disorders of Sex Development (DSD) can be challenging because some decisions are irreversible, have lasting physical and mental health effects, and are frequently made before the affected person is able to participate in decision-making. This multi-stage study involved (1) the development of a web-based decision support tool (DST) for parents of infants or young children and the clinicians caring for them; (2) the assessment of communications and decision making between DSD specialists and parents both before and after introduction of the DST; and (3) interviews with a broad range of stakeholders regarding optimizing the DST and integrating it into usual care. Experience over the course of the 3 stages of this research suggests the need for further refinement of the DST to increase acceptability to all stakeholder groups, the necessity to address misperceptions by providers that they are already accomplishing all aspects of SDM in regular care without a DST and misunderstandings by parents that decisions are unnecessary because only a single option is apparent, and to better incorporate the tool into regular clinic workflow.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E Sandberg
- Department of Pediatrics, Child Health, Evaluation and Research (CHEAR) Center, University of Michigan, 300 N Ingalls Bldg, 6C23, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States.
| | - Melissa Gardner
- Department of Pediatrics, Child Health, Evaluation and Research (CHEAR) Center, University of Michigan, 300 N Ingalls Bldg, 6C23, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | | | - Megan Urbanski
- Social and Behavioral Sciences, Temple University, United States
| | - Nina Callens
- Department of Pediatrics, Child Health Evaluation and Research (CHEAR) Center, Belgian American Educational Foundation (BAEF Inc), University of Michigan, United States
| | | | - Beverly M Yashar
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, United States
| | | | - Margarett Shnorhavorian
- Department of Urology, Division of Pediatric Urology, Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington, United States
| | - Eric Vilain
- Children's National Health System, Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's Research Institute, United States
| | - Stefan Timmermans
- Department of Sociology, University of California Los Angeles, United States
| | - Laura A Siminoff
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, College of Public Health, Temple University, United States
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Fabbri‐Scallet H, Sousa LM, Maciel‐Guerra AT, Guerra‐Júnior G, Mello MP. Mutation update for theNR5A1gene involved in DSD and infertility. Hum Mutat 2019; 41:58-68. [DOI: 10.1002/humu.23916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Revised: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Helena Fabbri‐Scallet
- Center for Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering‐CBMEGState University of Campinas São Paulo Brazil
| | - Lizandra Maia Sousa
- Center for Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering‐CBMEGState University of Campinas São Paulo Brazil
| | - Andréa Trevas Maciel‐Guerra
- Department of Medical Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Faculty of Medical SciencesState University of Campinas São Paulo Brazil
- Interdisciplinary Group for the Study of Sex Determination and Differentiation‐GIEDDSState University of Campinas São Paulo Brazil
| | - Gil Guerra‐Júnior
- Interdisciplinary Group for the Study of Sex Determination and Differentiation‐GIEDDSState University of Campinas São Paulo Brazil
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medical SciencesState University of Campinas São Paulo Brazil
| | - Maricilda Palandi Mello
- Center for Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering‐CBMEGState University of Campinas São Paulo Brazil
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Neocleous V, Fanis P, Cinarli F, Kokotsis V, Oulas A, Toumba M, Spyrou GM, Phylactou LA, Skordis N. 46,XY complete gonadal dysgenesis in a familial case with a rare mutation in the desert hedgehog (DHH) gene. Hormones (Athens) 2019; 18:315-320. [PMID: 31240586 DOI: 10.1007/s42000-019-00116-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Disorders of sex development (DSD) have been linked to gene defects that lead to gonadal dysgenesis. Herein, we aimed to identify the genetic cause of gonadal dysgenesis in a patient with primary amenorrhoea tracing it to a phenotypic female carrying a 46,XY karyotype of a consanguineous family. METHODS AND RESULTS Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed and revealed in homozygosity the rare and only once reported p.Arg164Pro missense mutation in exon 2 of the desert hedgehog (DHH) gene. Sanger sequencing was used to validate this candidate variant both in the patient, the parents, and two siblings. Both brother and sister of the index patient were found negative for the p.Arg164Pro mutation, while the consanguineous parents were found to carry the mutation in the heterozygous state. Neither the parents nor the unaffected siblings showed any reproductive malformations. CONCLUSIONS Defects in the DHH gene have been reported as a very rare cause of DSD, and this report increases the number of 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis cases. Additionally, the present study highlights the importance of genetic validation of patients with DSD, since this is likely to alleviate the considerable psychological distress experienced by both the patient and the parents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vassos Neocleous
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Function and Therapy, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus.
- Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus.
| | - Pavlos Fanis
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Function and Therapy, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Feride Cinarli
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Function and Therapy, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Vasilis Kokotsis
- Pediatrics and Neonates, Luton and Dunstable Hospital, London, UK
| | - Anastasios Oulas
- Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Bioinformatics Group, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Meropi Toumba
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Function and Therapy, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Pediatric Endocrine Clinic, IASIS Hospital, Paphos, Cyprus
| | - George M Spyrou
- Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Bioinformatics Group, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Leonidas A Phylactou
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Function and Therapy, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Nicos Skordis
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Function and Therapy, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus.
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Paedi Center for Specialized Pediatrics, Nicosia, Cyprus.
- School of Medicine, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus.
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Ernst MM, Chen D, Kennedy K, Jewell T, Sajwani A, Foley C, Sandberg DE. Disorders of sex development (DSD) web-based information: quality survey of DSD team websites. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY 2019; 2019:1. [PMID: 31149017 PMCID: PMC6537388 DOI: 10.1186/s13633-019-0065-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Objectives Consumers rely on online health information, particularly for unusual conditions. Disorders of Sex Development (DSD) are complex with some aspects of care controversial. Accurate web-based DSD information is essential for decision-making, but the quality has not been rigorously evaluated. The purpose of the present study was to assess the quality of online health information related to DSD presented by 12 pediatric institutions comprising the NIH-sponsored DSD-Translational Research Network (DSD-TRN). Methods DSD-TRN sites identified team webpages, then we identified linked webpages. We also used each institution search engine to search common DSD terms. We assessed webpages using validated tools: the Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) determined reading level, the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT) evaluated content for understandability and actionability, and the DISCERN tool assessed treatment decision-making information (for hormone replacement and surgery). We developed a “Completeness” measure which assessed the presence of information on 25 DSD topics. Results The SMOG reading level of webpages was at or above high-school grade level. Mean (SD) PEMAT understandability score for Team Pages and Team Links was 68% (6%); on average these pages met less than 70% of the understandability criteria. Mean (SD) PEMAT actionability score was 23% (20%); few patient actions were identified. The DISCERN tool determined that the quality of information related to hormone treatment and to surgery was poor. Sites’ webpages covered 12–56% of the items on our Completeness measure. Conclusions Quality of DSD online content was poor, and would be improved by using a variety of strategies, such as simplifying word choice, using visual aids, highlighting actions patients can take and acknowledging areas of uncertainty. For complex conditions such as DSD, high-quality web-based information is essential to empower patients (and caregiver proxies), particularly when aspects of care are controversial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle M Ernst
- 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229 USA.,2Disorders of Sex Development Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., ML 3015, Cincinnati, OH 45229 USA
| | - Diane Chen
- 3Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, 225 E. Chicago Ave., Box 161B, Chicago, IL 60611 USA.,4Potocsnak Family Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, 225 E. Chicago Ave., Box 161B, Chicago, IL 60611 USA.,5Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 446 E. Ontario Street, Chicago, IL 60611 USA
| | - Kim Kennedy
- 2Disorders of Sex Development Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., ML 3015, Cincinnati, OH 45229 USA
| | - Tess Jewell
- 6Oberlin College, 173 W. Lorain St., Oberlin, OH 44074 USA
| | - Afiya Sajwani
- 4Potocsnak Family Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, 225 E. Chicago Ave., Box 161B, Chicago, IL 60611 USA
| | - Carmel Foley
- 7Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine, 420 Lakeville Rd, Suite 110, New Hyde Park, NY 11042 USA
| | - David E Sandberg
- 8Department of Pediatrics and Susan B Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research (CHEAR) Center, University of Michigan Medical School, 300 North Ingalls St., Rm 6C23, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
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Parivesh A, Barseghyan H, Délot E, Vilain E. Translating genomics to the clinical diagnosis of disorders/differences of sex development. Curr Top Dev Biol 2019; 134:317-375. [PMID: 30999980 PMCID: PMC7382024 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2019.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The medical and psychosocial challenges faced by patients living with Disorders/Differences of Sex Development (DSD) and their families can be alleviated by a rapid and accurate diagnostic process. Clinical diagnosis of DSD is limited by a lack of standardization of anatomical and endocrine phenotyping and genetic testing, as well as poor genotype/phenotype correlation. Historically, DSD genes have been identified through positional cloning of disease-associated variants segregating in families and validation of candidates in animal and in vitro modeling of variant pathogenicity. Owing to the complexity of conditions grouped under DSD, genome-wide scanning methods are better suited for identifying disease causing gene variant(s) and providing a clinical diagnosis. Here, we review a number of established genomic tools (karyotyping, chromosomal microarrays and exome sequencing) used in clinic for DSD diagnosis, as well as emerging genomic technologies such as whole-genome (short-read) sequencing, long-read sequencing, and optical mapping used for novel DSD gene discovery. These, together with gene expression and epigenetic studies can potentiate the clinical diagnosis of DSD diagnostic rates and enhance the outcomes for patients and families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhinav Parivesh
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Hayk Barseghyan
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States; Department of Genomics and Precision Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Emmanuèle Délot
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States; Department of Genomics and Precision Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States.
| | - Eric Vilain
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States; Department of Genomics and Precision Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States.
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Ahmadifard M, Kajbafzadeh A, Panjeh‐Shahi S, Vand‐Rajabpour F, Ahmadi‐Beni R, Arshadi H, Setoodeh A, Rostami P, Tavakkoly‐Bazzaz J, Tabrizi M. Molecular investigation of mutations in androgen receptor and 5‐alpha‐reductase‐2 genes in 46,XY Disorders of Sex Development with normal testicular development. Andrologia 2019; 51:e13250. [DOI: 10.1111/and.13250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamadreza Ahmadifard
- Medical Genetics Department, School of Medicine Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
- Medical Genetics Department, School of Medicine Babol University of Medical Sciences Babol Iran
| | - Abdolmohamad Kajbafzadeh
- Pediatric Urology Research Center Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Samareh Panjeh‐Shahi
- Medical Genetics Department, School of Medicine Babol University of Medical Sciences Babol Iran
| | - Fatemeh Vand‐Rajabpour
- Medical Genetics Department, School of Medicine Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Reza Ahmadi‐Beni
- Medical Genetics Department, School of Medicine Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Hamid Arshadi
- Pediatric Urology Research Center Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Aria Setoodeh
- Growth and Development Research Center, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Children’s Medical Center Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Parastoo Rostami
- Growth and Development Research Center, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Children’s Medical Center Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Javad Tavakkoly‐Bazzaz
- Medical Genetics Department, School of Medicine Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Mina Tabrizi
- Medical Genetics Department, School of Medicine Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
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Hughes LA, McKay-Bounford K, Webb EA, Dasani P, Clokie S, Chandran H, McCarthy L, Mohamed Z, Kirk JMW, Krone NP, Allen S, Cole TRP. Next generation sequencing (NGS) to improve the diagnosis and management of patients with disorders of sex development (DSD). Endocr Connect 2019; 8:100-110. [PMID: 30668521 PMCID: PMC6373624 DOI: 10.1530/ec-18-0376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Disorders of sex development (DSDs) are a diverse group of conditions where the chromosomal, gonadal or anatomical sex can be atypical. The highly heterogeneous nature of this group of conditions often makes determining a genetic diagnosis challenging. Prior to next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, genetic diagnostic tests were only available for a few of the many DSD-associated genes, which consequently had to be tested sequentially. Genetic testing is key in establishing the diagnosis, allowing for personalised management of these patients. Pinpointing the molecular cause of a patient's DSD can significantly impact patient management by informing future development needs, altering management strategies and identifying correct inheritance pattern when counselling family members. We have developed a 30-gene NGS panel, designed to be used as a frontline test for all suspected cases of DSD (both 46,XX and 46,XY cases). We have confirmed a diagnosis in 25 of the 80 patients tested to date. Confirmed diagnoses were linked to mutations in AMH, AMHR2, AR, HSD17B3, HSD3B2, MAMLD1, NR5A1, SRD5A2 and WT1 which have resulted in changes to patient management. The minimum diagnostic yield for patients with 46,XY DSD is 25/73. In 34/80 patients, only benign or likely benign variants were identified, and in 21/80 patients only variants of uncertain significance (VOUS) were identified, resulting in a diagnosis not being confirmed in these individuals. Our data support previous studies that an NGS panel approach is a clinically useful and cost-effective frontline test for patients with DSDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- L A Hughes
- West Midlands Regional Genetics Service, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - K McKay-Bounford
- West Midlands Regional Genetics Service, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - E A Webb
- Department of Endocrinology & Diabetes, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - P Dasani
- West Midlands Regional Genetics Service, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - S Clokie
- West Midlands Regional Genetics Service, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - H Chandran
- Department of Endocrinology & Diabetes, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - L McCarthy
- Department of Endocrinology & Diabetes, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - Z Mohamed
- Department of Endocrinology & Diabetes, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - J M W Kirk
- Department of Endocrinology & Diabetes, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - N P Krone
- Department of Endocrinology & Diabetes, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - S Allen
- West Midlands Regional Genetics Service, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - T R P Cole
- West Midlands Regional Genetics Service, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
- Correspondence should be addressed to T R P Cole:
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Strandqvist A, Herlitz A, Nordenskjöld A, Örtqvist L, Frisén L, Hirschberg AL, Nordenström A. Cognitive abilities in women with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome and women with gonadal dysgenesis. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018; 98:233-241. [PMID: 29884451 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many questions regarding the mechanisms behind sex differences in cognitive abilities are still unanswered. On a group level, men typically outperform women on certain spatial tasks, whereas women perform better on certain tests of memory and verbal ability. The prevailing theories concerning the biological predispositions for these and other differences in behaviour and brain function focus on early and prolonged exposure to sex hormones. There is, however, evidence of direct effects of sex chromosomes on sex-typical behaviour in other species. OBJECTIVES To study the influence of sex hormones and sex chromosomes on cognition in women with Complete androgen insensitivity (CAIS) and Gonadal dysgenesis (GD). METHODS Eighteen women with CAIS, 6 women with 46,XYGD, and 7 women with 46,XXGD were compared with age-matched male and female controls on tests of spatial and verbal abilities, memory functions, and emotion recognition. RESULTS Women with CAIS, XYGD, and XXGD performed similar to female controls on cognitive tasks. However, on a test of emotion recognition, women with XXGD outperformed the other groups, whereas women with CAIS and XYGD performed similar to male controls. CONCLUSION Our results support theories of androgen effects on cognitive abilities and suggest that factors related to sex chromosomes may influence emotion recognition. Implications of an atypical sex hormone situation and sex chromosome variation are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Strandqvist
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Division of Psychology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Agneta Herlitz
- Division of Psychology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Agneta Nordenskjöld
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Pediatric Surgery, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Lisa Örtqvist
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Pediatric Surgery, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Louise Frisén
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Research Center, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Angelica Lindén Hirschberg
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Anna Nordenström
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
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45
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Rotgers E, Jørgensen A, Yao HHC. At the Crossroads of Fate-Somatic Cell Lineage Specification in the Fetal Gonad. Endocr Rev 2018; 39:739-759. [PMID: 29771299 PMCID: PMC6173476 DOI: 10.1210/er.2018-00010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The reproductive endocrine systems are vastly different between males and females. This sexual dimorphism of the endocrine milieu originates from sex-specific differentiation of the somatic cells in the gonads during fetal life. Most gonadal somatic cells arise from the adrenogonadal primordium. After separation of the adrenal and gonadal primordia, the gonadal somatic cells initiate sex-specific differentiation during gonadal sex determination with the specification of the supporting cell lineages: Sertoli cells in the testis vs granulosa cells in the ovary. The supporting cell lineages then facilitate the differentiation of the steroidogenic cell lineages, Leydig cells in the testis and theca cells in the ovary. Proper differentiation of these cell types defines the somatic cell environment that is essential for germ cell development, hormone production, and establishment of the reproductive tracts. Impairment of lineage specification and function of gonadal somatic cells can lead to disorders of sexual development (DSDs) in humans. Human DSDs and processes for gonadal development have been successfully modeled using genetically modified mouse models. In this review, we focus on the fate decision processes from the initial stage of formation of the adrenogonadal primordium in the embryo to the maintenance of the somatic cell identities in the gonads when they become fully differentiated in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmi Rotgers
- Reproductive Developmental Biology Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Anne Jørgensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,International Research and Research Training Center in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Humphrey Hung-Chang Yao
- Reproductive Developmental Biology Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, North Carolina
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46
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Pang KC, Feldman D, Oertel R, Telfer M. Molecular Karyotyping in Children and Adolescents with Gender Dysphoria. Transgend Health 2018; 3:147-153. [PMID: 30094339 PMCID: PMC6083207 DOI: 10.1089/trgh.2017.0051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: The presence of a disorder of sexual development (DSD) acts as a diagnostic specifier for gender dysphoria (GD) under DSM-5, while the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 specifically states that its equivalent diagnosis, gender identity disorder (GID), must not be the result of a chromosomal abnormality. For these reasons, routine karyotyping has been previously advocated in the clinical work-up of children and adolescents with suspected GD or GID. However, the utility of such testing remains unclear. Methods: The results of routine molecular karyotyping were analyzed in 128 patients attending our Australian statewide pediatric gender service from 2013 to 2016. Karyotyping was performed using an Illumina BeadChip platform and provided information on both sex chromosome composition and copy number variation (CNV). Results: No sex chromosome abnormalities directly suggestive of a DSD were discovered. The rate of CNVs among our patient cohort was 8.6% (11/128), similar to that previously reported for the general population. Unexpectedly, three trans male patients shared the same CNV, involving an almost identical 400 kbp deletion on chromosome 15q11.2. The frequency of this deletion within birth-assigned females in our cohort (3/69; 4.3%) was significantly higher than that within local control populations (0.3%; Fisher's exact test p-value=0.002), suggesting a possible association between 15q11.2 deletions and trans male identity. Conclusion: Routine molecular karyotyping failed to detect any occult DSD and indicated that the rate of CNVs was similar to that of the general population. Given these findings, we suggest that molecular karyotyping has minimal clinical utility in the routine management of children and adolescents with GD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken C Pang
- Department of Adolescent Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Australia.,Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.,The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
| | - Debi Feldman
- Department of Adolescent Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Australia.,Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia
| | - Ralph Oertel
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Service, Parkville, Australia
| | - Michelle Telfer
- Department of Adolescent Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Australia.,Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
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47
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Ernst MM, Liao LM, Baratz AB, Sandberg DE. Disorders of Sex Development/Intersex: Gaps in Psychosocial Care for Children. Pediatrics 2018; 142:peds.2017-4045. [PMID: 30045929 PMCID: PMC6317541 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2017-4045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle M. Ernst
- Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio;,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Lih-Mei Liao
- University College London Hospitals, London, United Kingdom
| | - Arlene B. Baratz
- Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome–Differences of Sex Development Support Group Medical Advisory Board, Duncan, Oklahoma;,InterACT Medical Research and Policy Committee, Sudbury, Massachusetts; and
| | - David E. Sandberg
- Division of Pediatric Psychology, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Evaluation and Research (CHEAR) Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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48
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Morgenroth T, Ryan MK. Gender Trouble in Social Psychology: How Can Butler's Work Inform Experimental Social Psychologists' Conceptualization of Gender? Front Psychol 2018; 9:1320. [PMID: 30100895 PMCID: PMC6072877 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A quarter of a century ago, philosopher Judith Butler (1990) called upon society to create "gender trouble" by disrupting the binary view of sex, gender, and sexuality. She argued that gender, rather than being an essential quality following from biological sex, or an inherent identity, is an act which grows out of, reinforces, and is reinforced by, societal norms and creates the illusion of binary sex. Despite the fact that Butler's philosophical approach to understanding gender has many resonances with a large body of gender research being conducted by social psychologists, little theorizing and research within experimental social psychology has drawn directly on Butler's ideas. In this paper, we will discuss how Butler's ideas can add to experimental social psychologists' understanding of gender. We describe the Butler's ideas from Gender Trouble and discuss the ways in which they fit with current conceptualizations of gender in experimental social psychology. We then propose a series of new research questions that arise from this integration of Butler's work and the social psychological literature. Finally, we suggest a number of concrete ways in which experimental social psychologists can incorporate notions of gender performativity and gender trouble into the ways in which they research gender.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thekla Morgenroth
- Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Michelle K. Ryan
- Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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49
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Yang Y, Workman S, Wilson M. The molecular pathways underlying early gonadal development. J Mol Endocrinol 2018; 62:JME-17-0314. [PMID: 30042122 DOI: 10.1530/jme-17-0314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The body of knowledge surrounding reproductive development spans the fields of genetics, anatomy, physiology and biomedicine, to build a comprehensive understanding of the later stages of reproductive development in humans and animal models. Despite this, there remains much to learn about the bi-potential progenitor structure that the ovary and testis arise from, known as the genital ridge (GR). This tissue forms relatively late in embryonic development and has the potential to form either the ovary or testis, which in turn produce hormones required for development of the rest of the reproductive tract. It is imperative that we understand the genetic networks underpinning GR development if we are to begin to understand abnormalities in the adult. This is particularly relevant in the contexts of disorders of sex development (DSDs) and infertility, two conditions that many individuals struggle with worldwide, with often no answers as to their aetiology. Here, we review what is known about the genetics of GR development. Investigating the genetic networks required for GR formation will not only contribute to our understanding of the genetic regulation of reproductive development, it may in turn open new avenues of investigation into reproductive abnormalities and later fertility issues in the adult.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yisheng Yang
- Y Yang, Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | | | - Megan Wilson
- M Wilson , Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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50
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Souza PVS, Badia BML, Silva LHL, Teixeira CAC, Seneor DD, Marin VDGB, Farias IB, Dias RB, Oliveira ASB, Pinto WBVR. Leukodystrophy with disorders of sex development due to WT1 mutations. J Neurol Sci 2018; 390:94-98. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2018.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2018] [Revised: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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