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Cheng D, Lu CF, Gong F, Du J, Yuan S, Luo KL, Tan YQ, Lu GX, Lin G. A case report of a normal fertile woman with 46,XX/46,XY somatic chimerism reveals a critical role for germ cells in sex determination. Hum Reprod 2024; 39:849-855. [PMID: 38420683 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deae026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Individuals with 46,XX/XY chimerism can display a wide range of characteristics, varying from hermaphroditism to complete male or female, and can display sex chromosome chimerism in multiple tissues, including the gonads. The gonadal tissues of females contain both granulosa and germ cells. However, the specific sex chromosome composition of the granulosa and germ cells in 46,XX/XY chimeric female is currently unknown. Here, we reported a 30-year-old woman with secondary infertility who displayed a 46,XX/46,XY chimerism in the peripheral blood. FISH testing revealed varying degrees of XX/XY chimerism in multiple tissues of the female patient. Subsequently, the patient underwent preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) treatment, and 26 oocytes were retrieved. From the twenty-four biopsied mature oocytes, a total of 23 first polar bodies (PBs) and 10 second PBs were obtained. These PBs and two immature metaphase I (MI) oocytes only displayed X chromosome signals with no presence of the Y, suggesting that all oocytes in this chimeric female were of XX germ cell origin. On the other hand, granulosa cells obtained from individual follicles exhibited varied proportions of XX/XY cell types, and six follicles possessed 100% XX or XY granulosa cells. A total of 24 oocytes were successfully fertilized, and 12 developed into blastocysts, where 5 being XY and 5 were XX. Two blastocysts were transferred with one originating from an oocyte aspirated from a follicle containing 100% XY granulosa cells. This resulted in a twin pregnancy. Subsequent prenatal diagnosis confirmed normal male and female karyotypes. Ultimately, healthy boy-girl twins were delivered at full term. In summary, this 46,XX/XY chimerism with XX germ cells presented complete female, suggesting that germ cells may exert a significant influence on the sexual determination of an individual, which provide valuable insights into the intricate processes associated with sexual development and reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dehua Cheng
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, China
| | - Chang-Fu Lu
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, China
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells, Changsha, China
- Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Development and Carcinogenesis, Changsha, China
| | - Fei Gong
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, China
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells, Changsha, China
- Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Development and Carcinogenesis, Changsha, China
| | - Juan Du
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, China
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells, Changsha, China
- Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Development and Carcinogenesis, Changsha, China
| | - Shimin Yuan
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, China
| | - Ke-Li Luo
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, China
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yue-Qiu Tan
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, China
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells, Changsha, China
- Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Development and Carcinogenesis, Changsha, China
| | - Guang-Xiu Lu
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, China
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells, Changsha, China
- Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Development and Carcinogenesis, Changsha, China
| | - Ge Lin
- Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, China
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells, Changsha, China
- Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Development and Carcinogenesis, Changsha, China
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Riccetto L, Vieira TP, Viguetti-Campos NL, Mazzola TN, Guaragna MS, Fabbri-Scallet H, de Mello MP, Marques-de-Faria AP, Maciel-Guerra AT, Guerra G. Clinical and laboratory differences between chromosomal and undefined causes of non-obstructive azoospermia: A retrospective study. SAO PAULO MED J 2022; 141:e2022281. [PMID: 36449967 PMCID: PMC10065101 DOI: 10.1590/1516-3180.2022.0281.r1.30082022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Knowledge of clinical and laboratory differences between chromosomal and undefined causes aids etiological research on non-obstructive azoospermia. OBJECTIVE Compare clinical and laboratory differences between men with non-obstructive azoospermia due to chromosomal anomalies versus undefined causes. DESIGN AND SETTING A cross-sectional retrospective study conducted at a public university hospital in Campinas (Brazil). METHODS All men aged 20-40 years with non-obstructive azoospermia were included in the analysis. RESULTS The 107 cases included 14 with Klinefelter syndrome (KS) (13%), 1 with mosaic KS, 4 with sex development disorders (2 testicular XX, 1 NR5A1 gene mutation, and 1 mild androgen insensitivity syndrome) (4%), 9 with other non-obstructive azoospermia etiologies (8%), and 79 with undefined causes. The 22 chromosomal anomaly cases (14 KS, 1 mosaic KS, 2 testicular XX, 4 sex chromosome anomalies, and 1 autosomal anomaly) were compared with the 79 undefined cause cases. The KS group had lower average testicular volume, shorter penile length, and lower total testosterone levels but greater height, arm span, serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, and gynecomastia frequency (absent in the undefined group and affecting more than half of the KS group). Patients with testicular XX DSD had LH, FSH, and penile length data intermediate between the KS and undefined cause groups, testicular volume similar to the KS group, and other data similar to the undefined group. CONCLUSION Clinical and laboratory data differentiate men with non-obstructive azoospermia and chromosomal anomalies, particularly KS and testicular XX, from those with undefined causes or other chromosomal anomalies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luísa Riccetto
- Undergraduate Medicine Student, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas (PUCCAMP), Campinas (SP), Brazil; and Member, Grupo Interdisciplinar de Estudos da Determinação e Diferenciação do Sexo (GIEDDS), Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas (SP), Brazil
| | - Tarsis Paiva Vieira
- PhD. Professor, Department of Translational Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Laboratory of Human Cytogenetics, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas (SP), Brazil
| | - Nilma Lucia Viguetti-Campos
- PhD. Laboratory Worker, Department of Medical Genetics Genomics, School of Medical Sciences, Laboratory of Cytogenetics, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas (SP), Brazil
| | - Tais Nitsch Mazzola
- PhD. Laboratory Worker, Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Center of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas (SP), Brazil
| | - Mara Sanches Guaragna
- PhD. Researcher, Laboratory Worker, Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Center of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas (SP), Brazil
| | - Helena Fabbri-Scallet
- PhD Researcher, Laboratory Worker, Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Center of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas (SP), Brazil
| | - Maricilda Palandi de Mello
- PhD. Professor, Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Center of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas (SP), Brazil
| | - Antonia Paula Marques-de-Faria
- PhD. Professor, Department of Medical Genetics and Genomics Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP); and Member, Grupo Interdisciplinar de Estudos da Determinação e Diferenciação do Sexo (GIEDDS), Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas (SP), Brazil
| | - Andrea Trevas Maciel-Guerra
- PhD. Professor, Department of Medical Genetics and Genomics Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP); and Member, Grupo Interdisciplinar de Estudos da Determinação e Diferenciação do Sexo (GIEDDS) Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas (SP), Brazil
| | - Gil Guerra
- PhD. Professor, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medical Sciences Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP); and Member, Grupo Interdisciplinar de Estudos da Determinação e Diferenciação do Sexo (GIEDDS), Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas (SP), Brazil
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Abstract
Objectives The objective of this review was to characterize the use of biomarkers of male hypogonadism in childhood and adolescence. Contents The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis is active during fetal life and over the first months of postnatal life. The pituitary gland secretes follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), whereas the testes induce Leydig cells to produce testosterone and insulin-like factor 3 (INSL), and drive Sertoli cells to secrete anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and inhibin B. During childhood, serum levels of gonadotropins, testosterone and insulin-like 3 (INSL3) decline to undetectable levels, whereas levels of AMH and inhibin B remain high. During puberty, the production of gonadotropins, testosterone, and INSL3 is reactivated, inhibin B increases, and AMH decreases as a sign of Sertoli cell maturation. Summary and outlook Based on our knowledge of the developmental physiology of the HPG axis, these biomarkers can be used in clinical practice to interpret the physiopathology of hypogonadism. Additionally, these markers can have diagnostic value in different forms of hypogonadism that may appear during childhood and adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo A. Rey
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas “Dr. César Bergadá” (CEDIE), CONICET-FEI- División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Gallo 1330, C1425EFD, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Histología, Biología Celular, Embriología y Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, C1121ABG, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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