Leydig and Sertoli cell function in individuals with genital ambiguity, 46,XY karyotype, palpable gonads and normal testosterone secretion: a case-control study

Abstract BACKGROUND: Because normal male sexual differentiation is more complex than normal female sexual differentiation, there are more cases of disorders of sex development (DSDs) with 46,XY karyotype that have unclear etiology. However, Leydig and Sertoli cell markers are rarely used in distinguishing such individuals. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the function of Leydig and Sertoli cells in individuals with genital ambiguity, 46,XY karyotype, palpable gonads and normal testosterone secretion. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Case-control study with 77 patients, including eight with partial androgen insensitivity syndrome, eight with 5α-reductase deficiency type 2 (5ARD2) and 19 with idiopathic 46,XY DSD, and 42 healthy controls, from the Interdisciplinary Study Group for Sex Determination and Differentiation (GIEDDS), at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil. METHODS: Baseline levels of gonadotropins, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), inhibin B, insulin-like 3 (INSL3), testosterone and dihydrotestosterone in cases, and AMH, inhibin B, and INSL3 levels in controls, were assessed. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in age between cases and controls (P = 0.595). AMH and inhibin B levels were significantly lower in cases than in controls (P = 0.031 and P < 0.001, respectively). INSL3 levels were significantly higher in cases than in controls (P = 0.003). Inhibin B levels were lower in 5ARD2 patients (P = 0.045) and idiopathic patients (P = 0.001), in separate comparisons with the controls. CONCLUSION: According to our findings, we can speculate that inhibin B levels may be used to differentiate among DSD cases.

Mosaicismo sexual / Sexual mosaicism

RESUMEN Los trastornos del desarrollo sexual son estados congénitos en los cuales el desarrollo del sexo cromosómico, gonadal o anatómico es atípico. Por tratarse de un caso sumamente raro consideramos de interés su presentación. Se presenta adolescente masculino de 15 años, con antecedentes de genitales atípicos al nacer, desarrollo de baja talla y estigmas turnerianos, pubertad espontánea y normal. Los estudios genéticos determinaron como sexo cromosómico un mosaico 45,X/46,XY/47XYY, y sexo molecular varón. Se inscribió socialmente como varón, se le realizó cirugía de reconstrucción genital y utilizó tratamiento con hormona de crecimiento biosintética que mantiene actualmente. La evolución clínica ha sido favorable con adecuada integración social. Ante la presencia de genitales atípicos al nacer se necesita de un manejo multidisciplinario. El diagnóstico etiológico de los trastornos de la diferenciación sexual requiere de una alta pericia médica. Un tratamiento integral en estos pacientes les garantiza una buena calidad de vida(AU)

ABSTRACT Sexual development´s disorders are congenital states in which the development of the chromosomal, anatomic or gonadal sex is atypical. Since this is a very rare case, we consider it as of interests for presentation. It is presented a teenager, 15-years-old male, with a history of atypical genitalia at birth, development of short height and Turner's stigmas, and spontaneous and normal puberty. The genetic studies identified as chromosomal sex a mosaic 45,X/46,XY/47XYY and male as molecular sex. He was socially registered as a male, he had a genital reconstruction surgery and he was under treatment with biosynthetic growth hormone that he currently maintains. The clinical evolution has been favourable with adequate social integration. In the presence of atypical genitalia at birth, it is needed a multidisciplinary management. The etiological diagnosis of disorders of sexual differentiation requires a high level of medical expertise. A comprehensive treatment in these patients guarantees them a good quality of life(AU)

Pubertal outcomes and sex of rearing of patients with ovotesticular disorder of sex development and mixed gonadal dysgenesis

PURPOSE: Patients with ovotesticular disorder of sex development (DSD) and mixed gonadal dysgenesis (MGD) usually present with asymmetric gonads and have wide phenotypic variations in internal and external genitalia. The differential diagnosis of these conditions is based on karyotype and pathological findings of the gonads. This study investigated the clinical features at presentation, karyotype, sex of rearing, and pubertal outcomes of patients with ovotesticular DSD and MGD.METHODS: The study comprised 23 patients with DSD who presented with asymmetric gonads. The presenting features, karyotype, sex of rearing, and pubertal outcomes were reviewed retrospectively.RESULTS: All 23 patients presented with ambiguous genitalia at a median age of 1 month (range, 1 day–1.6 years). Müllerian duct remnants were identified in 15 of 23 patients (65.2%). Fourteen patients were diagnosed with ovotesticular DSD, whereas the other 9 were diagnosed with MGD. Eight of 14 patients (57.1%) with ovotesticular DSD were raised as males, while 7 of 9 patients with MGD (77.8%) were assigned as males. One male-assigned patient with ovotesticular DSD changed to female sex at age 20 years.CONCLUSION: Patients with ovotesticular DSD and MGD manifest overlapping clinical presentations and hormonal profiles. It is difficult to determine the sex of rearing and predict long-term pubertal outcomes. Therefore, long-term follow-up is required to monitor spontaneous puberty, sex outcome, and urological and gynecological complications.

A study of pediatric gynecological problems in a tertiary hospital

Introduction: Gynecological disorders of children are rare. The investigations and treatment are also difficult and need expertise. Gynecologists should undergo training and also be able to diagnose and treat pediatric gynecological problems. Aim: This study was mainly aimed at the problems presenting at pediatric age group that will interest the practicing Gynecologist in planning and management of problems. Some of them require further follow up to their adolescence and child bearing period also. Materials and methods: 50 cases with gynecological problems up to the age of 12 years attending the government general hospital, Guntur were studied. Results: 96% of cases belonged to low socio-economic group. 42% were from urban areas 58% were from rural areas. Their educational status was very poor .Only 20% are attending the primary school. 30% never attended the school. Rest was drop outs before primary school. In this series, the incidence of labial –vulvar agglutination was 10%. Conclusion: The Gynecologist should be able to diagnose and treat pediatric gynecological problems. As the examination and investigations are difficult in children and needs expertise, the gynecologists should undergo training.

Towards a further understanding of gender of rearing in children with disorders of sexual development / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

The birth of an infant with ambiguous genitalia is one of the common clinical manifestations of disorders of sex development(DSD),and dealing with the sex of rearing is an embarrassment for their parents as well as primary care physician.At one time,the ability to surgically create sexually functional genitalia was thought as a dominant factor in decision-making,later gonadal histology (testicular or ovarian) was thought to indicate the true sex/gender,subsequently,sex chromosomes and genomic features became a major factor in identifying the true sex/gender.Now research in molecular biology has revealed the brain is another most important sexual organ playing a crucial role in social psychological gender determination.In recent decade,since the genetic diagnosis and endoscopic surgery technology dramatically develop,the approach to sex of rearing decisions in patients with DSD has changed fundamentally.Now,the current understanding and controversies on gender assignment in DSD individuals are reviewed,and the multidisciplinary approach to gender assignment and care of these patients and their family are highlighted.

Trastornos de diferenciación sexual

Objetivo: Presentar la clínica, citogenética y hallazgos histopatológicos en pacientes adultas, que consultaron a la Unidad de Endocrinología Ginecológica del Hospital Universitario de Caracas con trastornos de la diferenciación sexual. Se reportan cuatro casos clínicos: dos casos con trastorno de la diferenciación sexual 46, XY por alteración en la acción de los andrógenos anteriormente denominado insensibilidad androgénica parcial, una paciente con trastorno de la diferenciación sexual 46, XX y otra con trastorno de la diferenciación sexual 46, XY ovotesticular sin gonadoblastoma por síndrome de Frasier. Es importante realizar un diagnóstico temprano para su tratamiento precoz, por la trascendencia que la definición del sexo tiene para el futuro del individuo. Conclusiones: A pesar de los avances alcanzados a lo largo de los últimos 20 años, algunos casos quedan aún sin diagnóstico etiológico definido, sea por falta de estudio molecular o genes aún no conocidos. Su abordaje diagnóstico y terapéutico es complejo, requiere de un equipo multidiscplinario integrado por ginecólogos, endocrinólogos, psiquiatras, urólogos, cirujanos plásticos.

The aim of this paper is to present the clinical, cytogenetic and histopathological findings in adult patients who consulted the Gynecological Endocrinology Unit of the University Hospital of Caracas with Disorders of sexual development. Four clinical cases reported: Two with Disorder of sexual development 46, XY due defect in androgen action previously called partial androgen insensitivity, one patient with disorders of sexual development 46, XX and another with disorder of sexual development 46, XY ovotesticular without gonadoblastoma by Frasier syndrome. It is important an early diagnosis and treatment to define the sex for the individual’s future. Conclusion: Despite the progress made over the last 20 years, some cases are still without etiologic diagnosis, either through lack of molecular study or yet unknown genes. Its diagnostic and therapeutic approach is complex, requiring a team of gynecologists, endocrinologists, psychiatrists, urologists, plastic surgeons.

Clitoral Length and Anogenital Ratio in Indian Newborn Girls.

Objective: To generate normative data on clitoris length, anogenital distance and anogenital ratio in Indian newborns. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Neonatal unit of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Kolkata. Participants: 378 female neonates, who were hemo-dynamically stable without critical illness or chromosomal anomaly, and without any vulval hematoma or genital abnormalities. Interventions: Measurements were recorded using a digital vernier caliper between 24-72 hours. Infant was held in position by an assistant, while the investigator measured clitoral length by gently retracting the labia majora. Anogenital distance (centre of the anus to posterior convergence of the fourchette) and anogenital ratio (anogenital distance divided by the distance from centre of the anus to base of the clitoris) was also measured. Main outcome measures: Gestational age- and birthweight-wise normative values of clitoral length, anogenital distance and anogenital ratios. Results: Mean clitoral length was 3.1 (1.54) mm for the whole cohort while anogenital distance and anogenital ratio were 10.2 (2.78) mm and 0.34 (0.07) mm, respectively. The gestation age-wise percentile charts of clitoral length, anogenital distance and anogenital ratio have been generated. There was no correlation between clitoral length and gestational age, body length, head circumference and birth weight. Correlations were also weak for anogenital distance. Conclusions: The normative values generated can serve as reference standard in the assessment of clitoromegaly, ambiguous genitalia, virilizing effects and suspected in utero androgen exposure.

Ambiguous genitalia: A rare case report.

Mixed gonadal dysgenesis (MGD) is a rare disorder of sexual development (DSD). A seven‑year‑old child with vagina and an elongated clitoris looking like a penile part of male external genitalia, presented in the Paediatric Surgery Department. Ultrasound of pelvis revealed a streak ovary on the right side and ovotestis on the left side. Uterus was not visualized. Karyotyping revealed 46, XY/45, XO genotype. Laparoscopic gonadectomy with vaginoplasty and the clitoral reduction was performed. A thorough histopathological examination of the specimen revealed structure of ovotestis‑consisting of the ovary with Graafian follicles, fallopian tube, infantile testis with Leydig and Sertoli cells, epididymis, vas deference, and pampiniform plexus. Presence of Graafian follicle in the ovary, Leydig and Sertoli cells in the testis, at this age makes this case extremely interesting. The child was rehabilitated to lead her life as a girl.

A Case of Antley-Bixler Syndrome with New Genetic Study Result.

Aims: Antley-Bixler syndrome (ABS) is a rare disease which is a complex of skeletal, visceral, extremity and genital anomalies and occasionally is associated with adrenal insufficiency due to P450-oxidoreductase deficiency. In this article we report a patient, a suspicious case of ABS with different phenotypic and genotypic characteristics. Presentation of Case: The patient is a male infant with facial dysmorphism, syndactyly, multiple joint contractures, and ambiguous genitalia. He had hyponatremia, hyperkalemia and elevated 17.OH.progestrone level of serum. In genetic analysis, no mutation was found in POR gene. Discussion: This patient has clinical and paraclinilical manifestations of ABS. Although different mutations have been reported as the cause of this syndrome, all reported patients who suffered from adrenal insufficiencies, had mutations in POR gene. Conclusion: According to our search in literature, this is the first case of ABS associated with adrenal insufficiency who does not have any mutation in POR gene. More genetic studies are needed to determine new mutations in such patients.

Hiperplasia adrenal congênita / Congenital adrenal hyperplasia

A hiperplasia adrenal congênita (HAC) é um grupo de doenças de transmissão autossômica recessiva, em que os defeitos enzimáticos levam à síntese deficiente do cortisol e excesso de androgênios adrenais. A deficiência da 21?-hidroxilase é a forma mais frequente. Na HAC clássica o excesso de androgênios resulta em virilização e desenvolvimento de genitália ambígua no recém-nascido do sexo feminino e, quando não diagnosticada, alta mortalidade no sexo masculino. É necessário um diagnóstico preciso e urgência no início do tratamento para prevenir a mortalidade e as morbidades que acompanham esta doença. Os autores apresentam de forma prática e concisa como diagnosticar, tratar e prevenir complicações.

Phenotypic Variability in Congenital Lipoid Adrenal Hyperplasia.

Background: Congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia presents with adrenal insufficiency and sex reversal in 46XY genetic males. Case characteristics: Two patients (46 XY karyotype), one having ambiguous genitalia and other having female external genitalia, presented with adrenal crisis at 6 months and 4 weeks of age, respectively. Observation: Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein gene sequencing revealed homozygous mutations in both patients. Outcome: Treatment with hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone resulted in marked improvement . Message: Congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia should be considered in infants having female or ambiguous genitalia, and presenting with adrenal insufficiency.

A Case Report on Female Pseudohermaphroditism: An Ambiguous Genitalia.

Ambiguous genitalia is a birth defect of the sex organs that makes it unclear whether an affected newborn is a girl or a boy. This condition occurs approximately 1 in every 4,500 births that causes gynecological and obstetrical problems. Defects of the external genital organs (penis, testes, or clitoris) usually result from abnormal levels of sex hormones in the fetus before birth. A 30-year-old primi with 38 weeks of pregnancy was admitted on August 21, 2011 at 8.45 PM with complaints of mild lower abdominal pain. Ultrasound scan on the same day showed a single 38 weeks live intrauterine fetus of ambiguous genitalia with breech presentation. Emergency lower segment cesarean section was performed on August 22, 2011 at 10.55 PM and the patient delivered a baby with ambiguous genitalia having both clitoris and penis. This diagnosed to be a case of female pseudohermaphroditism caused by congenital adrenal hyperplasia because babies who are born with ambiguous genitalia having external genital organs that do not appear clearly male or female or have features of both, but have female internal reproductive organs are known as female pseudohermaphrodities.

An etiological analysis of 106 cases with ambiguous genitalia / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To explore the causes of ambiguous genitalia.Methods Clinical data of 106 cases with ambiguous genitalia from Ruijin Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine were retrospectively analyzed.DNA fragments of related genes from parts of patients were amplified by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and were directly sequenced to detect gene mutations.Results (1)The 106 ambiguous genitalia patients presented a variety of clinical phenotypes.Karyotype of 42 cases(39.6％)were 46,XX,while 62 cases(58.5％)were 46,XY and 2 cases(1.9％)were abnormal.(2)Forty(95.2％)patients with 46,XX were diagnosed with congenital adrenal hyperplasia(CAH) ;one case(2.4％) was adrenal cortical tumor and one case (2.4％) was 46,XX [sex determining region of Y choromosome (SRY) positive] male syndrome.(3) Fifty-three cases (85.5 ％) out of 46,XY karyotype were directly sequenced with steroid-5-alpha-reductase,alpha polypeptide 2 gene (SRD5A2),androgen receptor gene (AR) and steroidogenic factor-1 gene(SF-1).Sequencing analysis of SRD5A2 revealed 8 patients with compound heterozygous or homozygous mutations.A patient carried a novel missense mutation of SF-1 and another patient had a mutation of AR.(4) One abnormal karyotype was 46,XX/46,XY and the other was 46,XX/46,XY/46,X.+ may.ish (DYZ3 +) (DXZ1-).Conclusions (1) CAH is the most common cause of genital ambiguity in 46,XX patients but some rare causes such as adrenal cortical tumors or SRY positive should not be ignored.(2) To find the causes of 46,XY genital ambiguity,direct DNA sequencing analysis of candidate genes would be the better choice because of the complicate pathogenesis.(3)Abnormal karyotype also can lead to ambiguous genitalia.

An individual with misidentified gender: a case report with interventional implications

Children born with ambiguous genitalia have to endure serious and potentially lifelong consequences secondary towrong assignment of their gender. A 26 year old female presented to psychiatry department with symptoms suggestiveof severe depression. On detailed history, and physical examination the patient was found to have grade threehypospadiasis. She was brought up as a female, but had 'male' patterns of secondary sexual characteristics. This paperdiscusses about the systematic team management of the above individual.

A rare case of congenital heart disease with ambiguous genitalia.

Birth defects have become the important cause of mortality and morbidity in the perinatal period. Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect which includes the varying forms of cardiac abnormalities and occurs with an incidence of 1 per 100 live births. In most of the cases, CHD is an isolated malformation, but about 33% have associated anomalies. Ambiguous genitalia are one such rare anomaly that is associated with CHD among other genital abnormalities. The possible causes for this association could be pseudohermaphroditism, which in turn, may be due to congenital adrenal hyperplasia. The government of any country should consider providing for its people a free prenatal diagnosis for susceptible disorders.

A Sri Lankan child with 49,XXXXY syndrome.

Pentasomy 49,XXXXY is a rare sex chromosome disorder usually presenting with ambigous genitalia, facial dysmorphism, mental retardation and a combination of cardiac, skeletal and other malformations. The incidence of the condition is estimated to be 1 in 85,000 male births. Previously, this condition was identified as a Klinefelter variant. The condition is suspected in a patient, by a combination of characteristic clinical findings, and the diagnosis is confirmed by chromosome culture and karyotyping. In the case we report here, the main presentation of ambiguous genitalia led to a suspicion of a sex chromosome aneuploidy which was subsequently confirmed by chromosomal analysis.

Partial Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome.

Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) present at several differentiation from genetic defects to end organ resistance thereby producing gender dilema dispelled by sex hormones signature.It is quite traumatic for the patients and family of the affected baby. Extreme sensitivity and awareness on the part of the caring doctor is necessary for early diagnosis of case of AIS &for successful outcome.

Pediatric disorders of sex development.

The management of disorders of sexual differentiation (DSD) involves a multidisciplinary approach. The main aim of analysis was to study the phenotype-karyotype correlation in North Indian children with DSD. The records of pediatric DSD were retrieved and characteristics noted. Of total of 58 children, 43 (74.1%) and 10 (17.2%) were raised as males and females respectively. The mean age at presentation was 31.3±9 months. The karyotype was 46XY in 45 (77.6%) and 46XX in 12 (20.7%). CAH was commonest cause of DSD (36.2%), followed by gonadal dysgenesis. Of the 15 patients of 46 XY CAH, there were 5 with 17-α hydroxylase deficiency, 2 with 3-β HSD deficiency and one case of lipoid adrenal hyperplasia. There was an excess of genetic males, possibly due to prevalent socio-cultural factors and gender bias favoring males. There is a need to improve the diagnostic facilities and incorporate a team approach in management of DSD.

Combined 17 alpha-hydroxylase/17, 20-lyase deficiency due to a homozygous 25 BP duplication (NT 4157-4181) at exon 5 in the CYP17 resulting in a premature stop codon predicted by molecular modeling / Deficiência combinada de 17 alfa-hidroxilase/17, 20 liase devido a duplicação de 25 PB (NT 4157-4181) no éxon 5 do CYP17 resultando em parada prematura de leitura predita por modelagem molecular

Combined 17alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase deficiency is a rare, autosomal recessive form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia characterized by the coexistence of hypertension, caused by the hyperproduction of mineralocorticoid precursors and DSD in males and sexual infantilism in females, due to impaired production of sex hormones. Several CYP17 mutations resulting in 17alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase deficiency have been reported previously. In the present study, we described a novel CYP17 mutation in two Brazilian sisters with primary amenorrhea, 46,XY karyotype, high basal levels of progesterone (3.4-4.9 ng/mL) and hypokalemic hypertension born to consanguineous parents. After PCR and automatic sequencing of CYP17 coding region, 25 bp duplication at exon 5 was found in the patients. This duplication started at codon 318 resulting in a premature stop codon at position 320 resulting in an ineffective and truncated protein and in accordance with the molecular modeling of P450c17. Therefore we expanded the repertoire of CYP17 mutations describing the largest duplication found in this gene in both sisters, with a clinical phenotype of combined 17alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase deficiency and emphasizes the importance of the P450c 17 molecular modeling to predict the functional effect of these mutations.

A deficiência combinada de 17 alfa-hidroxilase/17,20 liase é uma doença rara, de herança autossômica recessiva, causa de hiperplasia adrenal congênita caracterizada pela presença de hipertensão resultante do acúmulo de precursores mineralocorticóides, distúrbio da diferenciação sexual em homens e infantilismo sexual em mulheres devido à falha na produção de esteróides sexuais. Várias mutações no gene CYP17 resultando em deficiência de 17 alfa-hidroxilase/17,20-liase têm sido descritas. No presente estudo, descrevemos uma nova mutação no CYP17 em duas irmãs, nascidas de pais consangüíneos, com quadro de amenorréia primária, cariótipo 46,XY, dosagens basais elevadas de progesterona (3,4-4,9 ng/mL) e hipertensão hipocalêmica. Após PCR e seqüenciamento automático da região codificadora do CYP17, uma duplicação de 25 pb no exon 5 foi identificada nas pacientes. Esta duplicação inicia-se no códon 318 resultando em parada prematura de leitura no códon 320 gerando uma proteína truncada e inativa conforme predito pela modelagem molecular do P450c17. Com este achado, ampliamos o repertório de mutações do CYP17 descrevendo a maior duplicação descrita até então neste gene em duas irmãs com fenótipo de deficiência combinada de 17 alfa-hidroxilase/17,20-liase e enfatizamos a importância da modelagem molecular do P450c 17 em predizer o efeito funcional destas mutações.