Detection of the sex-determining region of the Y chromosome in 46,XX true hermaphroditism.

OBJECTIVES

Two cases of 46,XX true hermaphroditism were analyzed for two Y-DNA sequences, including the recently cloned gene for male testis determination, the sex-determining region of the Y chromosome (SRY).

METHODS

Polymerase chain reaction was performed to amplify the SRY. DNA was prepared from peripheral blood lymphocytes as well as from gonadal tissue preserved in a paraffin block.

RESULTS

One hermaphrodite contained the SRY sequences in peripheral blood lymphocytes and the testicular part of ovotestis tissue preserved in a paraffin block, while in the second patient these sequences were not detected.

CONCLUSIONS

The SRY positive subject resulted from occult Y mosaicism rather than from X-Y translocation. Testis differentiation in the SRY negative subject may have been caused by mutation of a gene on the X chromosome or, alternatively, on an autosome.