Two male sibs with uterus and Fallopian tubes. A rare, probably inherited disorder

Conserved genes regulating human sex differentiation, gametogenesis and fertilization

The study of the functional genome in mice and humans has been instrumental for describing the conserved molecular mechanisms regulating human reproductive biology, and for defining the etiologies of monogenic fertility disorders. Infertility is a reproductive disorder that includes various conditions affecting a couple's ability to achieve a healthy pregnancy. Recent advances in next-generation sequencing and CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing technologies have facilitated the identification and characterization of genes and mechanisms that, if affected, lead to infertility. We report established genes that regulate conserved functions in fundamental reproductive processes (e.g., sex determination, gametogenesis, and fertilization). We only cover genes the deletion of which yields comparable fertility phenotypes in both rodents and humans. In the case of newly-discovered genes, we report the studies demonstrating shared cellular and fertility phenotypes resulting from loss-of-function mutations in both species. Finally, we introduce new model systems for the study of human reproductive biology and highlight the importance of studying human consanguineous populations to discover novel monogenic causes of infertility. The rapid and continuous screening and identification of putative genetic defects coupled with an efficient functional characterization in animal models can reveal novel mechanisms of gene function in human reproductive tissues.

Karyotyping and population genetics in Cold War Mexico: Armendares's and Lisker's characterization of child and indigenous populations, 1960s-1980s

This paper focuses on geneticists Salvador Armendares's and Rubén Lisker's studies from the 1960s to the 1980s, to explore how their work fits into the post-1945 human biological studies, and also how the populations they studied, child and indigenous, can be considered laboratories of knowledge production. This paper describes how populations were considered for different purposes: scientific inquiry, standardization of medical practices, and production or application of medicines. Through the narrative of the different trajectories and collaborations between Armendares and Lisker, this paper also attempts to show the contact of their scientific practices, which brought cytogenetics and population genetics together at the local and global levels from a transnational perspective.

Control of sex development

The process of sexual differentiation is central for reproduction of almost all metazoan, and therefore, for maintenance of practically all multicellular organisms. In sex development, we can distinguish two different processes, sex determination, that is the developmental decision that directs the undifferentiated embryo into a sexually dimorphic individual. In mammals, sex determination equals gonadal development. The second process known as sex differentiation takes place once the sex determination decision has been made through factors produced by the gonads that determine the development of the phenotypic sex. Most of the knowledge on the factors involved in sexual development came from animal models and from studies of cases in whom the genetic or the gonadal sex does not match the phenotypical sex, that is, patients affected by disorders of sex development (DSDs). Generally speaking, factors influencing sex determination are transcriptional regulators, whereas factors important for sex differentiation are secreted hormones and their receptors. This review focuses on these factors and whenever possible, references regarding the 'prismatic' clinical cases are given.

Internal male pseudohermaphroditism in a 6 week old child

Here we describe a 6-week-old infant with internal male pseudo-hermaphroditism, detected during the repair of a left inguinoscrotal hernia. We advocate early orchidopexy during a first laparatomy and call attention to the risk of adhesions and subsequent complications if the gonads are replaced into the peritoneal cavity in advance of a precise histological and cytogenetic diagnosis.

Persistent müllerian structures in infertile male

Müllerian duct derivatives were identified in an infertile adult male patient who had long-standing azoospermia and was operated on for inguinal hernia. Persistent müllerian duct syndrome is reviewed, with special emphasis on the pathophysiologic and surgical considerations involved in the treatment of this abnormality.

Male pseudohermaphroditism by persistent müllerian structures

We have studied 2 cases of nonfamilial male pseudohermaphroditism by persistent müllerian ducts. The first case, found in a fourteen-year-old male, can be described as the classic form of cryptorchism which resisted hormonal treatment and in which a rudimentary uterus with fallopian tubes and atrophic testicles were found at exploratory laparotomy. The second case was discovered in a thirty-nine-year-old man who had bilateral cryptorchism. He presented with an abdominal mass which was found to be a seminoma in the right intra-abdominal testicle, and a well-defined uterus with fallopian tubes and an atrophic left testicle were seen. Neither case presented phenotype disturbances. Both karyotypes were 46 XY. A total resection of the female sexual organs and testicles was performed in both patients, and the mass was removed in the second case. The tumoral degeneration of the intra-abdominal testicles in this syndrome is found in similar proportion to the simple cryptorchid testicles. Our second case is the tenth one of a testicular tumor in pseudohermaphroditism by persistent müllerian ducts to be reported in the literature.

Polycystic kidneys and male hermaphroditism in an infant: a case report and review of the literature

A case of infantile polycystic kidney disease and male hermaphroditism is described. While various genital and urinary anomalies have been associated with these two conditions, their simultaneous occurrence in the same patient has not, to the authors' knowledge, been reported previously in the English-language literature.

Persistent Müllerian structures in a genotypic male

A case report of a male with persistent Müllerian structures is presented. The patient was 34 yr old and had a left inguinal hernia, bilateral cryptorchidism and azoospermia. His karyotype was 46 XY. At operation a uterus with vestigial Fallopian tubes and a hypoplastic testis were found inside the hernial sac. Histological studies confirmed the persistence of Müllerian structures. The clinical implications of anti-Müllerian hormone dysfunction are discussed.

Persistent Müllerian duct structures in cryptorchid male infants: surgical dilemmas

Persistent Müllerian duct structures were found in 3 male cryptorchid infants aged 10--12 mo, during correction of a unilateral inguinal hernia. Division of the vas degerens, hysterectomy and scrotal orchidopexy were carried out. The authors believe that in subjects with a persistent müllerian duct syndrome, surgical placement of the testes into the scrotum should be performed. This is, as a rule, not possible without damage to the vas deferens which runs parallel and adheres closely to the surface of the uterus.

Familial persistent Müllerian duct syndrome

Two phenotypically normal pre-adolescent brothers with bilateral undescended testes were found to have bilateral fallopian tubes, a uterus and a vagina that drained into the prostatic utricle. We have documented this condition radiographically for the first time, gained some insight into the pattern of inheritance and made recommendations for surgical management.