Disorders of sexual development

Morphology and immunophenotyping of a monolateral ovotestis in a 46,XderY/45,X mosaic individual with ambiguous genitalia

Disorders of sexual development represent a pathologic and clinical challenge. Many different clinical syndromes exist, and several classifications have been proposed in relation to different risks for malignant degeneration. The morphology, cytogenetics, and immunophenotype of a monolateral ovotestis in a 3-month-old individual with ambiguous genitalia and right inguinal mass are reported. The inguinal mass consisted of a tiny female genital tract with a hermaphroditic gonad with focal placental-like alkaline phosphatase-stained gonocytes; chromosome analysis disclosed a mosaic constitution: 46,XderY/45,X with a rearranged Y chromosome. A sharp morphologic distinction between true hermaphroditism and mixed gonadal dysgenesis probably does not exist, and cytogenetic characterization is mandatory. The presence of placental-like alkaline phosphatase-stained gonocytes indicates a high risk of malignant transformation, and justifies the surgical removal of the dysgenetic gonad. Fertility is unlikely.

Multiple endocrine disorders and Rathke's cleft cyst with Klinefelter's syndrome: a case report

A 46-year-old Japanese male was admitted for the evaluation of severe hypertension. He was obese and had a eunuchoidal body habitus. Chromosomal analysis revealed a 46, XY/47, XXY karyotype. Serum LH, FSH and testosterone levels were low, indicating hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Endocrinological dynamic tests disclosed presence of hypothalamic panhypopituitarism, partial diabetes insipidus, type 2 diabetes mellitus and low renin essential hypertension. Brain computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed intra- and extrasellar masses. Histological examination of the tissue obtained at transsphenoidal surgery showed a Rathke's cleft cyst (RCC). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of mosaic Klinefelter's syndrome accompanied by symptomatic RCC, type 2 diabetes mellitus and low renin essential hypertension.

Abnormalities of gonadal differentiation

Gonadal differentiation involves a complex interplay of developmental pathways. The sex determining region Y (SRY) gene plays a key role in testis determination, but its interaction with other genes is less well understood. Abnormalities of gonadal differentiation result in a range of clinical problems. 46,XY complete gonadal dysgenesis is defined by an absence of testis determination. Subjects have female external genitalia and come to clinical attention because of delayed puberty. Individuals with 46,XY partial gonadal dysgenesis usually present in the newborn period for the valuation of ambiguous genitalia. Gonadal histology always shows an abnormality of seminiferous tubule formation. A diagnosis of 46,XY true hermaphroditism is made if the gonads contain well-formed testicular and ovarian elements. Despite the pivotal role of the SRY gene in testis development, mutations of SRY are unusual in subjects with a 46,XY karyotype and abnormal gonadal development. 46,XX maleness is defined by testis determination in an individual with a 46,XX karyotype. Most affected individuals have a phenotype similar to that of Klinefelter syndrome. In contrast, subjects with 46,XX true hermaphroditism usually present with ambiguous genitalia. The majority of subjects with 46,XX maleness have Y sequences including SRY in genomic DNA. However, only rare subjects with 46,XX true hermaphroditism have translocated sequences encoding SRY. Mosaicism and chimaerism involving the Y chromosome can also be associated with abnormal gonadal development. However, the vast majority of subjects with 45,X/46,XY mosaicism have normal testes and normal male external genitalia.

Embryonic testicular regression sequence: a part of the clinical spectrum of 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis

We report on a group of 9 subjects who had a 46,XY karyotype, ambiguous genitalia, abnormalities of sexual duct formation, and lack of gonadal tissue on one or both sides. This is sometimes referred to as "embryonic testicular regression." Previous investigators have suggested that this condition results from loss of testes at a critical stage in development. We examined the possibility that the "embryonic testicular regression" is part of the clinical spectrum of 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis. Four subjects totally lacked gonadal tissue, three of them having ambiguous genitalia, and one a micropenis. The development of incongruous sexual ducts (presence of Müllerian ducts in the subject with micropenis, and absence of Müllerian and Wolffian ducts in two subjects with ambiguous genitalia) suggests that the embryonic gonads were intrinsically functionally abnormal before their disappearance. Five subjects had unilateral gonadal tissue, ambiguous genitalia, and a mix of Wolffian and Müllerian structures. The development of incongruous sexual ducts in 3 of them, the presence of ambiguous external genitalia in 5, and the presence of abnormal gonadal histology in 2 patients all indicate an underlying abnormality of gonadal differentiation in these subjects. The occurrence of testicular regression in several subjects in the family of one patient suggests a genetic basis for the condition. The presence of multiple congenital anomalies in other subjects in our study suggests either a mutation in a single gene that functions in several developmental pathways, or a defect of multiple genes that might be the result of a chromosome deletion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Familial XY gonadal dysgenesis

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[Testicular feminization syndrome. A clinical and cytogenetic study in two brothers]

The Morris syndrome of testicular feminization is described in two brothers. Cytogenetic findings show in both subjects a 46,XY karyotype in most examined metaphases and a 45,XY karyotype (due to a consistent loss of a small acrocentric) in a smaller percentage (respectively 18.7% and 28.5%). The meaning of these findings is discussed.