Idiopathic male pseudohermaphroditism: variations in presentation and management

Male pseudohermaphroditism (MPH) is the abnormal development of genitalia in an individual with a 46,XY chromosome complement and testicular tissue. The etiology of MPH is unknown in most cases, which are defined as idiopathic. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the data for cases of idiopathic MPH. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 29 patients with idiopathic MPH and no uterus. Results: Four patients had a family history of abnormal sexual development and five had low birth weight. The initial manifestations were sexual ambiguity (26), microphallus and hypospadias (2), and primary amenorrhea (1). Basal and/or stimulated testosterone concentrations showed insufficient testosterone secretion in three patients. Genitography showed a vagina in 13 patients. Male genitoplasties were performed on 21 out of the 24 patients reared as males and female genitoplasties on five patients. Histological studies of the gonads of these showed streak gonads in one, normal gonads in one and signs of testicular dysgenesis in three others. Molecular studies on the SRY gene (17) showed no mutation. CONCLUSIONS: Idiopathic male pseudohermaphroditism is a heterogeneous condition, even within families with a history of this condition. We propose a set of guidelines for the management of these patients.     

Molecular analysis of the AR and SRD5A2 genes in patients with 46,XY disorders of sex development

The aim of this study was to assess the clinical and endocrinological features, and to analyze AR and SRD5A2 genes in patients with 46,XY disorders of sex development (DSD). This study included 20 patients from 19 families showing clinical features of 46,XY DSD. Molecular analysis was performed of the AR and SRD5A2 genes, as well as endocrinological evaluations, such as 17a-hydroxyprogesterone, plasma renin activity, aldosterone, adrenocorticotropic hormone and hCG stimulation test. Out of 20 patients with 46,XY DSD, only one (5%) displayed androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS), and four (20%) were 5alpha-reductase deficient by mutation analysis. The patient with AIS revealed significant elevation of serum testosterone following hCG stimulation. The patient with 5alpha-reductase deficiency with a homozygous p.R246Q mutation had a low basal dihydrotestosterone level. The patient with p.Q6X/p.R246Q mutations showed a moderately elevated testosterone/dihydrotestosterone ratio following hCG stimulation. Endocrinological tests are not reliable for the etiological diagnosis of AIS and 5alpha-reductase deficiency due to variable reference ranges of hormonal profiles according to the age and the severity of the enzyme defect. DNA analysis may be employed as a tool for the early and precise diagnosis of patients with 46,XY DSD, and genetic counseling can be used for families at risk.     

Pituitary deficiency and lack of gonads in an XY pseudohermaphrodite with beta 39/lepore haemoglobinopathy

We describe the occurrence of hypothyroidism and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in an XY pseudohermaphrodite subject affected by beta-thalassemia. The patient, reared as female, diagnosed at 14 months of age as having a beta 39/Lepore hemoglobinopathy, treated with multiple transfusion therapy, was referred at age of 15 years because of delayed puberty. Complete endocrine evaluation showed low levels, both basal and after combined LHRH-TRH and hCG stimuli, of FSH, LH, TSH, estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), progesterone (P), androstenedione (A), and FT4 levels, and normal PRL, cortisol, 17OHP and ACTH levels. Imaging studies (ultrasound, magnetic resonance, radioisotope scanning and gonadal vessels phlebography) did not show internal genitalia and gonads. Karyotype resulted 46,XY. PCR amplification of the SRY gene confirmed the presence of the Y chromosome. Female genitalia without uterus in a subject with Y chromosome SRY gene, and no detectable testes indicate a condition of male pseudohermaphroditism associated with testicular regression. Low gonadotropin and sex steroid levels are suggestive of combined acquired hypothalamic-pituitary and gonadal impairment, due to iron deposition in both organs. We cannot exclude congenital failure of testosterone synthesis and action in this case, because lack of gonads is an unusual finding in thalassemic hypogonadic subjects.     

17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3 deficiency as a result of a homozygous 7 base pair deletion in 17betaHSD3 gene

17-beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3 (17betaHSD-3) converts delta4 androstenedione (A) to testosterone (T) in the testes. This enzyme plays a key role in androgen synthesis and it is essential for normal fetal development of male genitalia. 17betaHSD-3 deficiency is a rare cause of 46,XY disorders of sexual development. Here, we report a 16-year-old 46,XY patient with 17betaHSD-3 deficiency raised as a female and significantly virilized in puberty. A homozygous 7 base pair deletion on exon 10 was determined in HSD17B3 gene (c.777-783del_GATAACC). Our patient had one of the very rare mutations, which was previously unencountered in Turkish patients with 17betaHSD type 3, and she is the second reported case with this deletion.     

17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 3 deficiency in the Mediterranean population

Eighty-five males with 17 beta-HSD3 were identified among a highly inbred Arab population in Israel and 57 studied over a period of 25 years. The founders of this defect originated in the mountainous regions of present Lebanon and Syria, but most of the families now live in Jerusalem, Hebron, the Tel-Aviv area and, in particular, in Gaza, where the frequency of affected males is estimated at 1 in 100 to 150. Affected individuals are born with ambiguity of the external genitalia and reared as females until puberty. Thereafter marked virilization occurs, leading in many cases to the spontaneous adoption of a male gender identity and role. Adults develop a male habitus with abundant body hair and beard and the phallus and testes enlarge to adult proportions. Gender reassignment in infancy was only possible when enough erectile tissue was present at birth and developed into a normal size penis with testosterone. 17 beta-HSD3 deficiency can be reliably diagnosed by endocrine evaluation and mutation analysis. In adults the defect is characterized by markedly increased concentrations of androstenedione (A) with borderline low to normal testosterone (T) levels and a high A/T ratio. 5a-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) concentrations are moderately decreased, normal or high and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels are high. The estrogen pathway is also impaired, even though both estrone (E-1) and estradiol-17 beta (E-2) levels are high. Children have low basal levels of all androgens, but the defect may be demonstrated after prolonged stimulation with human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). LH and FSH levels are very high after puberty and normal in childhood. 17 beta-HSD3 isozyme is encoded by the chromosome 9q22 17 beta-HSD3 gene and expressed exclusively in testes. A point mutation in exon 3, codon 80 of the 17 beta-HSD3 gene, R80Q, caused by a single base substitution from CGG ( arginine) to CAG ( glutamine) was identified in both alleles of 24 individuals from 9 extended Arab families from Gaza, Jerusalem and Lod-Ramle. Twenty-one homozygote males (46,XY) were MPH with testicular 17 beta-HSD3 deficiency whereas the three homozygote females (46,XX) were asymptomatic, had normal internal and external genitalia, normal sexual development and revealed no biochemical evidence of 17 beta-HSD3 deficiency. The molecular pattern is compatible with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance, sex dependent.     

Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome: in vivo and in vitro study of testicular function in a prepubertal patient with ambiguous genitalia

The pathogenesis of the development of ambiguous genitalia reported in some 46,XY patients with Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome is not understood. Presumably, it is related to the 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase deficiency present in these patients. In this study we have evaluated testicular function, both in vivo and in vitro, in a 46,XY patient with ambiguous genitalia, reared as a girl. The diagnosis was based on clinical features, low serum cholesterol and high serum 7-dehydrocholesterol levels. Serum hormone values, determined during the first month of age, showed normal basal testosterone (1.95 ng/ml), LH (0.91 U/l) and FSH (2.51 U/l). However, serum testosterone did not increase after hCG administration (1.98 ng/ml). On the other hand, the patient had a positive biological response to exogenous testosterone (decrease in sex hormone-binding globulin serum levels). She was orchidectomized at the age of 33 mo. Testicular cells were dispersed and maintained in culture for 6 d. These cells showed a very good capacity to secrete testosterone into the culture medium (X +/- SD, 26.1 +/- 11.7 vs. 4.36 +/- 1.70 pmol/10(6) cells/24 h in a control group of testicular cells prepared from testes collected at necropsy). The patient's cells failed to respond to LH stimulation (18.6 +/- 4.0 pmol/10(6) cells/24 h), although they did respond to other stimuli. It is concluded that the severe cholesterol deficiency of this patient did not impair the capacity of the testes to synthesize testosterone. However, the LH/hCG receptor or its subsequent message was activated neither in vivo nor in vitro. This finding suggests that the foetal testes might have failed to respond to placental hCG at the time of male external genital differentiation. This failure could have been responsible for the ambiguous genitalia present in this patient.     

Early diagnosis and management of 5 alpha-reductase deficiency.

Two siblings of Pakistani origin, karyotype 46 XY, were born with predominantly female external genitalia with minute phallus, bifid scrotum, urogenital sinus, and palpable gonads. The older sibling at the age of 8 days showed an adequate testosterone response to human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) stimulation. The diagnosis of 5 alpha-reductase deficiency was made at age 6 years when no 5 alpha-reduced glucocorticoid metabolites were detectable in urine even after tetracosactrin (Synacthen) stimulation. In the younger sibling the diagnosis of 5 alpha-reductase deficiency was provisionally made at the early age of 3 days on the basis of high urinary tetrahydrocortisol (THF)/allotetrahydrocortisol (5 alpha-THF) ratio and this ratio increased with age confirming the diagnosis. Plasma testosterone: dihydrotestosterone (DHT) ratio before and after hCG stimulation was within normal limits at age 3 days but was raised at age 9 months. Topical DHT cream application to the external genitalia promoted significant phallic growth in both siblings and in the older sibling corrective surgery was facilitated. In prepubertal male pseudohermaphrodites with normal or raised testosterone concentrations, phallic growth in response to DHT cream treatment could be an indirect confirmation of 5 alpha-reductase deficiency.     

Severe 46,XY virilization deficit due to 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency

BACKGROUND: 17beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency is a presumable rare cause for a severe virilization disorder in children with 46,XY karyotype due to a defect in the testicular testosterone biosynthesis from androstenedione. PATIENT: We report on a 14 year old child with 46,XY karyotype with a predominantly female phenotype. RESULTS: Hormonal analysis showed low values for androstenedione and testosterone before and after stimulation with human chorionic gonadotropin, however, the androstenedione/testosterone ratio was elevated. Molecular genetic analysis proved the diagnosis of 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency due to a homozygous mutation (325+4 A-T) in the HSD17B3-gene, which leads to an aberrant splicing process. CONCLUSIONS: This case demonstrates that in addition to a meticulous steroid analysis a direct molecular genetic analysis can be helpful in the diagnosis of 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency.     

The association of Wilms' tumor, male pseudohermaphroditism and diffuse glomerular disease (Drash syndrome): report of eight cases with clinical and morphologic findings and review of the literature

In 8 children (6 males) at least 2 of 3 disorders were found--male pseudohermaphroditism (MPH), Wilm's tumor, and glomerular disease. MPH was present in the 6 males; they had abdominal cryptorchidism (6/6), ambiguous genitalia (6/6), negative sex chromatin (5/5), and 46XY karyotype (2/2). The gonads examined microscopically in 3 patients were dysgenetic testes. The renal tumor present in 7 was nephroblastoma (NB) of the classical type without anaplasia or nephroblastomatosis, bilateral in 1, and unilateral but multinodular in 2. Five underwent nephrectomy for a renal mass, and in 2 NB was found at open biopsy or at autopsy. The mean age at diagnosis was 10 months. Glomerular disease in 6 patients began with onset of the nephrotic syndrome between 20 days and 39 months of age; it was resistant to steroid therapy and led to death from renal failure. Microscopically the glomerular process was a diffuse mesangial sclerosis (DMS). The 2 children with NB and MPH, but without DMS are healthy 2 1/2 and 9 years postnephrectomy. Neither familial incidence nor parental consanguinity was found. This syndrome has complete and partial forms, and its early recognition is important both for patient management and for assessment of prognosis.     

SRY基因检测在儿童性发育疾病诊断中的应用

目的：应用SRY基因直接测序检测技术和外周血染色体核型分析技术对外生殖器模糊的幼儿及青春期儿童进行检查以明确诊断。方法：采用常规G显带方法分析20例外生殖器模糊的患儿染色体核型,用PCR技术扩增其SRY基因,进行基因测序,分析是否存在SRY基因及SRY基因是否存在突变情况。结果：20例患儿中SRY基因阳性的有17例,阴性3例。直接测序结果显示所有SRY基因阳性患者该基因均未发生突变。染色体核型分析中检出4例特殊核型为：46, XY, del (Y) (q12)/45, X、46, XY, add (Y) (p11)、46, XY, r (9)及46, XY, 9 qh+。结论：SRY基因检测有助于明确儿童性发育疾病的分型,具有快速检测的优越性,与常规G显带相结合分析有助于儿童性发育疾病的初步诊断。     

H-Y intermediate phenotype in male pseudohermaphroditism

A child with ambiguous genitalia was born after an uncomplicated pregnancy. Laparotomy revealed intraabdominal hypoplastic testes containing normal appearing Leydig cells; germ cells were present in the left gonad, not in the right. The karyotype was 46,XY in blood leukocytes and in fibroblasts cultured from the gonads; there was no evidence of mosaicism. Endocrinologic study revealed no disorder of steroidogenesis. Androgen receptors were not studied. Serologic evaluation of blood leukocytes revealed the presence of H-Y antigen, but there are reasons to believe that less H-Y antigen was present in the cells of the patient than was present in corresponding cells from normal males. Gonadectomy and clitoral recession were performed at 3 weeks of age, and the patient was reared as a girl. We speculate that reduced expression of H-Y may have induced aberrant development of the gonads.     

Male pseudohermaphroditism secondary to panhypopituitarism

An infant with a 46XY karyotype was born with ambiguous genitalia, including microphallus and perineal hypospadias. A female gender was assigned due to extreme failure of development of the external genitalia. Subsequent investigations demonstrated panhypopituitarism, and it is believed that severe gonadotrophin deficiency was responsible for the intersex state. This case illustrates the need to evaluate the hypothalamic-pituitary axis in selected cases of intersex, and also questions the prevailing assumption that testosterone secretion during embryogenesis is largely pituitary gonadotrophin independent, under the control of human chorionic gonadotrophin.     

Cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase deficiency in three patients initially regarded as having 21-hydroxylase deficiency and/or aromatase deficiency: diagnostic value of urine steroid hormone analysis

In this study, we report on three Japanese patients with cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (POR) deficiency (PORD). Case one was a 46,XY patient who was found to have mildly increased 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) by the neonatal mass screening. There was no maternal virilization during pregnancy, and he had no skeletal or genital abnormality. Thus, he was initially diagnosed as having nonclassical 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD). Cases two and three were 46,XX patients who were identified because of severely virilized external genitalia and maternal virilization during pregnancy. In case two, the neonatal mass screening was normal, and she had no skeletal abnormality except for mild adduction of bilateral third toes. Thus, she was initially diagnosed as having aromatase deficiency. In case three, the neonatal mass screening showed moderately increased 17-OHP, and no skeletal lesion other than rigid second metacarpophalangeal joints was identified in early infancy. Thus, she was initially suspected as having 21-OHD and/or aromatase deficiency. Subsequently, endocrine studies including urine steroid hormone analysis were performed for the assessment of glucocorticoid treatment in case one and for the virilized genitalia in cases two and three, showing adrenal and/or gonadal dysfunction characteristic of PORD. Thus, molecular analysis of POR was carried out, demonstrating homozygosity for R457H in cases one through three. The results imply that clinical features in PORD can be similar to those in 21-OHD or aromatase deficiency, and that comprehensive assessment of the pregnant course, physical examination, and adrenal and gonadal function studies is essential for the precise diagnosis of PORD.     

A 45,X/46,XY DSD (Disorder of Sexual Development) case with an extremely uneven distribution of 46,XY cells between lymphocytes and gonads

In 45,X/46,XY DSDs, the proportion of the two cell lineages is uneven in different organs and tissues, and 45,X and 46,XY cells can be found throughout the body. The gonadal development of 45,X/46,XY patients depends on the population of 46,XY cells in the gonads and the clinical features are variable. We had a 45,X/46,XY DSD patient whose 46,XY population in peripheral blood was extremely low, less than 0.2%, and was not detected by FISH analysis. However, the patient showed bilateral testicular development and more than 50% of the cells in the gonads had the 46,XY karyotype. This case suggests that a drastically imbalanced distribution could occur in 45,X/46,XY DSD cases.     

Bilateral ovarian steroid cell tumor in congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to classic 11beta-hydroxylase deficiency

An 8.7 year-old patient, raised as a boy, presented with premature appearance of pubic hair and accelerated growth since 2 years of age and ambiguous genitalia noted at birth. There was first degree consanguinity between his parents. A similar problem was reported in a cousin. Examination of the external genitalia revealed complete scrotal fusion, a 5 cm long phallus, urogenital sinus at base of phallus with no gonads palpable. Pigmentation was increased. His blood pressure was 150/100 mm Hg. Pubic and axillary hair were at stage 3. Bone age was 17 years. Adrenal ultrasound was normal. Pelvic ultrasound showed relatively enlarged uterus and ovaries with normal echogenicity. Karyotype was 46,XX. Hormone profile was compatible with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 11beta-hydroxylase deficiency (11-deoxycortisol: 11.5 nmol/l [400 ng/dl] [normal: 0.6-4.5 nmol/l [20-155 ng/ml]], androstenedione: 17.4 nmol/l [5 ng/ml] [normal: 0.1-1.2 nmol/l [0.03-0.35 ng/ml]]). Prednisolone and antihypertensive drugs were started. The patient underwent bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and hysterectomy at 9.1 years. Histopathological examination of both ovaries revealed steroid cell tumor. The type of the tumor was "not otherwise specified" (NOS). Basal hormone levels and ACTH test performed 10 months after the operation and 7 days off treatment reconfirmed the diagnosis of 11beta-hydroxylase deficiency. Steroid cell tumors are extremely rare forms of steroid hormone-reducing ovarian neoplasms in childhood and may coexist with or imitate virilizing CAH.     

True hermaphroditism with characteristics of Klinefelter's syndrome: a rare presentation

True hermaphroditism, a very rare cause of intersex, is usually diagnosed during the newborn period in the course of evaluating ambiguous genitalia. As an exception we report an unusual case of a 14.5 year-old boy with phenotypically near-normal male genitalia and bilaterally descended gonads, who was seen for evaluation of gynecomastia and hematuria. His eunuchoid body habitus and mild mental retardation were compatible with Klinefelter's syndrome. He had a low level of free testosterone (15.2 pmol/l), and high level of estradiol (264.3 pmol/l) for his age. The patient was diagnosed as true hermaphroditism with 46,XX /47,XXY karyotype causing an ovotestis with inguinal uterus hernia in the left scrotum and a dysgenetic testis in the right scrotum.     

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia among peripubertal girls with hyperandrogenism.

Fifteen girls with severe hyperandrogenism were investigated by us during the last 6 years. Thirteen of these were cases of untreated congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and 2 were cases of tumoral (one sertoli leydig cell tumor of the ovary and one adrenal adenoma) hyperandrogenism. Here we present the clinical profile and laboratory data of those with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. All the girls had masculinization of genitalia (clitoromegaly alone 5, clitoromegaly with varying degree of posterior labial fusion 8). Eleven cases had hirsutism and 9 had short stature. Two patients underwent unilateral adrenelectomy with diagnosis of adrenal adenoma. Hormonal profile confirmed the diagnosis of CAH with 21 hydroxylase deficiency (elevated 17 OHP levels with exaggerated 17 OHP response to ACTH) in 12 cases and 3 beta hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase deficiency (elevated DHEAS and 17 pregnenelone levels and exaggerated DHEAS and 17 pregnenelone response to ACTH) in one case.     

A novel mutation of the 5alpha-reductase type 2 gene in two unrelated Egyptian children with ambiguous genitalia

OBJECTIVE: To establish an etiological diagnosis in two unrelated Egyptian children with ambiguous genitalia through biochemical and molecular analyses. PATIENTS AND METHODs: Two XY patients were referred: one at the age of 14 years presenting with delayed puberty and menarche and the second at the age of 4 months with ambiguous genitalia. Basal and post-HCG stimulation plasma levels of testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) were determined. Direct sequencing of the five exons of the 5alphaR type 2 gene and exons 2 to 8 of the androgen receptor gene was carried out. RESULTS: The high T/DHT value indicated 5alphaR deficiency in the first patient while the absence of parental consanguinity along with normal T/DHT value in the second patient suggested androgen insensitivity. In both patients, we identified a homozygous A --> G mutation in exon 3 that replaced the asparagine residue at position 160 by an aspartic acid. The parents of both patients were all heterozygotes for the N160D substitution. CONCLUSIONS: 1) We report a new mutation that enlarges the spectrum of genetic defects in 5alphaR deficiency. 2) Although the two patients were referred at very different ages, the clinical presentations raise the possibility of phenotypic variability for the same mutation. 3) These reports underline the difficulty of diagnosing 5alphaR deficiency based only on clinical and biochemical grounds. Molecular study remains the only definitive tool for diagnosis of ambiguous genitalia.     

True hermaphroditism: clinical features, genetic variants and gonadal histology

True hermaphroditism is a rare cause of intersexuality in which both ovarian and testicular tissue is present in the same individual. We present the clinical findings, karyotype, gonadal histology and management of eight patients with true hermaphroditism. Their ages ranged from 43 days to 12 years at the first evaluation. The presenting symptoms were ambiguous genitalia (6 patients), isolated clitoromegaly (1 patient) and hypospadias (1 patient). The most common karyotype was 46,XX (6 patients). In one patient the karyotype was 46,XY and in another 45,XO/46,XY mosaicism, which is rare in the literature. A vagina was found by genitography in all patients, and at laparotomy the uterus was found normal in five patients, hypoplastic in one patient, as a fibrous band in one, and absent in the remaining patient. Histological investigation of the gonads revealed bilateral ovotestis in two patients, ovotestis plus ovary in two patients, and ovary on one side and testis on the other side in three patients. Five patients were assigned to the female sex, and three to the male sex. One of these patients was changed from male to female after evaluation.     

A novel point mutation in the hormone binding domain of the androgen receptor associated with partial and minimal androgen insensitivity syndrome

Mutations in the coding sequence of the androgen receptor (AR) gene result in a wide range of androgen insensitivity syndromes (AIS). We report an extended family in which at least five male individuals in different generations suffer from partial AIS. The index patient presented at birth with ambiguous genitalia; the karyotype was 46,XY and subsequent sex assignment male. Elevated stimulated testosterone (T) and normal baseline gonadotropins were found. Family history revealed four additional adult males affected with various abnormalities of their external genitalia. Molecular analysis of the coding sequence of the AR gene revealed in all a novel point mutation in exon 6, changing threonine to isoleucine at codon position 800 in the hormone-binding domain. We conclude that phenotypic variations in mild AR defects are striking and can remain undetected even until late in life.