XY gonadal dysgenesis

"Swyer syndrome" redirects here. For the lung condition, see Swyer–James syndrome.

XY complete gonadal dysgenesis, also known as Swyer syndrome, is a type of defect hypogonadism in a person whose karyotype is 46,XY. Though they typically have normal vulvas,^[1] the person has underdeveloped gonads, fibrous tissue termed "streak gonads", and if left untreated, will not experience puberty. The cause is a lack or inactivation of an SRY gene which is responsible for sexual differentiation. Pregnancy is often possible in Swyer syndrome with assisted reproductive technology. The phenotype is usually similar to Turner syndrome (45,X0) due to a lack of X inactivation. The typical medical treatment is hormone replacement therapy.^[2] The syndrome was named after Gerald Swyer, an endocrinologist based in London.

XY gonadal dysgenesis
Other names	Swyer syndrome
Protein SRY
Specialty	Medical genetics

Signs and symptoms

Those with Swyer syndrome develop phenotypes typical of females and nonfunctional ovaries. Individuals are most commonly diagnosed during puberty after menstruation fails to occur (primary amenorrhea).^[3]

The consequences of Swyer syndrome without treatment:

• The individual's gonads do not have two X chromosomes, so the breasts will not develop and the uterus will not grow and menstruate until estrogen is administered. This is often given transdermally.
• Their gonads cannot make progesterone, so menstrual periods will not be predictable until progestin is administered, usually as a pill.
• Their gonads cannot produce eggs, so conceiving children is not possible without embryo transfer. There has been a case of unassisted pregnancy in one woman with XY gonadal dysgenesis, who had a predominantly 46,XY karyotype – a 46,XY karyotype in peripheral lymphocytes, mosaicism in cultured skin fibroblasts (80% 46,XY and 20% 45,X), and a predominantly 46,XY karyotype in the ovary (93% 46,XY and 6% 45,X) – who gave birth to a 46,XY female with complete gonadal dysgenesis.^[4]
• Streak gonads with Y chromosome-containing cells have a high likelihood of developing cancer, especially gonadoblastoma.^[5] Streak gonads are usually removed within a year or so of diagnosis, since the cancer can begin during infancy.^{[citation needed]}
• Osteopenia is often present.^[6]

Genetics

Genetic associations of Swyer syndrome include:

Type	OMIM	Gene	Locus
46,XY gonadal dysgenesis, complete, SRY-related	400044	SRY	Yp11.3
46,XY gonadal dysgenesis, complete or partial, DHH-related	233420	DHH	12q13.1
46,XY gonadal dysgenesis, complete or partial, with or without adrenal failure	612965	NR5A1	9q33
46,XY gonadal dysgenesis, complete, CBX2-related	613080	CBX2	17q25
46,XY gonadal dysgenesis, complete or partial, with 9p24.3 deletion	154230	DMRT1/2	9p24.3

Seven other genes have been identified with probable associations that are as-yet less clearly understood.^[7]

Pure gonadal dysgenesis

There are several forms of gonadal dysgenesis. The term "pure gonadal dysgenesis" (PGD) has been used to describe conditions with normal sets of sex chromosomes (e.g., 46,XX or 46,XY), as opposed to those whose gonadal dysgenesis results from missing all or part of the second sex chromosome. The latter group includes those with Turner syndrome (i.e., 45,X) and its variants, as well as those with mixed gonadal dysgenesis and a mixture of cell lines, some containing a Y chromosome (e.g., 46,XY/45,X).

Thus Swyer syndrome is referred to as PGD, 46,XY, and XX gonadal dysgenesis as PGD, 46,XX.^[8] People with PGD have a normal karyotype but may have defects of a specific gene on a chromosome.

Pathogenesis

The first known step of sexual differentiation of a male fetus is the development of testes. The early stages of testicular formation in the second month of gestation requires the action of several genes, one of the earliest and most important of which is SRY: the sex-determining region of the Y chromosome.^[9][10]

When such a gene is defective, the indifferent gonads fail to differentiate into testes in an XY fetus. Without testes, no testosterone or anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is produced. Without testosterone, the Wolffian ducts fail to develop, so no internal male organs are formed. Also, the lack of testosterone means that no dihydrotestosterone is formed and consequently the external genitalia fail to virilize, resulting in a normal vulva.^[11] Without AMH, the Müllerian ducts develop into normal internal female organs (uterus, fallopian tubes, cervix, vagina).^[12]

Diagnosis

Due to the inability of the streak gonads to produce sex hormones (both estrogens and androgens), most of the secondary sex characteristics do not develop. This is especially true of estrogenic changes such as breast development, widening of the pelvis and hips, and menstrual periods.^[13] As the adrenal glands can make limited amounts of androgens and are not affected by this syndrome, most of these persons will develop pubic hair, though it often remains sparse.^[14]

Evaluation of delayed puberty usually reveals elevation of gonadotropins, indicating that the pituitary is providing the signal for puberty but the gonads are failing to respond. The next steps of the evaluation usually include checking a karyotype and imaging of the pelvis.^[15] The karyotype reveals XY chromosomes and the imaging demonstrates the presence of a uterus but no ovaries (the streak gonads are not usually seen by most imaging). Although an XY karyotype can also indicate a person with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome, the absence of breasts, and the presence of a uterus and pubic hair exclude the possibility. At this point it is usually possible for a physician to make a diagnosis of Swyer syndrome.^[16]

Related conditions

Swyer syndrome represents one phenotypic result of a failure of the gonads to develop properly, and hence is part of a class of conditions termed gonadal dysgenesis. There are many forms of gonadal dysgenesis.^[17]

Swyer syndrome is an example of a condition in which an externally unambiguous female body carries dysgenetic, atypical, or abnormal gonads.^[18] Other examples include complete androgen insensitivity syndrome, partial X chromosome deletions, lipoid congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and Turner syndrome.^[19]

Treatment

Upon diagnosis, estrogen and progestogen therapy is typically commenced, promoting the development of female characteristics.

Hormone replacement therapy can also reduce the likelihood of osteoporosis.^[1]

Epidemiology

A 2017 study estimated that the incidence of Swyer syndrome is approximately 1 in 100,000 females.^[20] Fewer than 100 cases have been reported as of 2018. There are extremely rare instances of familial Swyer syndrome.^[21][22]

History

Swyer syndrome was first described by G. I. M. Swyer in 1955 in a report of two cases.^[21]

People with XY gonadal dysgenesis

• Arisleyda Dilone, American director and actress^[23]
• Sara Forsberg, Finnish singer, songwriter, and television presenter^[24]
• Stanisława Walasiewicz, Polish-American athlete whose genetic condition was confirmed after her death^[25]

See also

• XX male syndrome

References

1. "Swyer Syndrome". MedlinePlus Genetics.
2. Massanyi EZ, Dicarlo HN, Migeon CJ, Gearhart JP (29 December 2012). "Review and management of 46,XY disorders of sex development". J Pediatr Urol. 9 (3): 368–379. doi:10.1016/j.jpurol.2012.12.002. PMID 23276787.
3. "Swyer syndrome". National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).
4. Dumic, Miroslav; Lin-Su, Karen; Leibel, Natasha I.; Ciglar, Srecko; Vinci, Giovanna; Lasan, Ruzica; Nimkarn, Saroj; Wilson, Jean D.; McElreavey, Ken; New, Maria I. (1 January 2008). "Report of Fertility in a Woman with a Predominantly 46,XY Karyotype in a Family with Multiple Disorders of Sexual Development". The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 93 (1): 182–189. doi:10.1210/jc.2007-2155. PMC 2190741. PMID 18000096.
5. Eh, Zheng; Liu, Weili (June 1994). "A familial 46 XY gonadal dysgenesis and high incidence of embryonic gonadal tumors". Chinese Journal of Cancer Research. 6 (2): 144–148. doi:10.1007/BF02997250. S2CID 84107076. Originally published in Chinese as E, Z; Xu, XL; Li, C; Gao, FZ (May 1981). "家族性XY型性腺发育不全和高发胚胎性肿瘤研究：II．XY型性腺发育不全姐妹中第4人继发无性细胞瘤报告和细胞遗传学检查" [A familial XY gonadal dysgenesis causing high incidence of embryonic gonadal tumors- a report of the fourth dysgerminoma in sibling suffering from 46, XY gonadal dysgenesis]. Zhonghua Zhong Liu Za Zhi (in Chinese). 3 (2): 89–90. PMID 7307902.
6. Michala, L.; Goswami, D.; Creighton, SM; Conway, GS (2008). . BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 115 (6): 737–741. doi:10.1111/j.1471-0528.2008.01703.x. PMID 18410658. S2CID 11953597. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
7. Kremen J, Chan YM, Swartz JM (January 2017). "Recent findings on the genetics of disorders of sex development". Curr Opin Urol. 27 (1): 1–6. doi:10.1097/MOU.0000000000000353. PMC 5877806. PMID 27798415.
8. Bomalaski, M. David (February 2005). "A practical approach to intersex". Urologic Nursing. 25 (1): 11–8, 23, quiz 24. PMID 15779688.
9. "SRY gene: MedlinePlus Genetics". medlineplus.gov. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
10. "SRY sex determining region Y [Homo sapiens (human)] - Gene - NCBI". www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
11. Silverman, Ann-Judith. "Gonadal Development" (PDF). Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology. 14 (1) – via Columbia University.
12. Wilson, Danielle; Bordoni, Bruno (2022), "Embryology, Mullerian Ducts (Paramesonephric Ducts)", StatPearls, Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, PMID 32491659, retrieved 20 January 2023
13. "Gonadal and Placental Hormones". The Endocrine System. 1 (1). 6 March 2013 – via University of Hawaii.
14. Yildiz, Bulent O.; Azziz, Ricardo (2007). "The adrenal and polycystic ovary syndrome". Reviews in Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders. 8 (4): 331–342. doi:10.1007/s11154-007-9054-0. ISSN 1389-9155. PMID 17932770. S2CID 32857950.
15. Abitbol, Leah; Zborovski, Stephen; Palmert, Mark R. (19 July 2016). "Evaluation of delayed puberty: what diagnostic tests should be performed in the seemingly otherwise well adolescent?". Archives of Disease in Childhood. 101 (8): 767–771. doi:10.1136/archdischild-2015-310375. ISSN 1468-2044. PMID 27190100. S2CID 25495530.
16. "Swyer syndrome". NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders). Retrieved 28 March 2022.
17. King, Thomas F. J.; Conway, Gerard S. (2014). "Swyer syndrome". Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Obesity. 21 (6): 504–510. doi:10.1097/MED.0000000000000113. ISSN 1752-2978. PMID 25314337. S2CID 20181415.
18. Zieliñska, Dorota; Zajaczek, Stanislaw; Rzepka-Górska, Izabella (29 May 2007). "Tumors of dysgenetic gonads in Swyer syndrome". Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 42 (10): 1721–1724. doi:10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2007.05.029. ISSN 1531-5037. PMID 17923202.
19. Gottlieb, Bruce; Trifiro, Mark A. (1993), Adam, Margaret P.; Everman, David B.; Mirzaa, Ghayda M.; Pagon, Roberta A. (eds.), "Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome", GeneReviews®, Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle, PMID 20301602, retrieved 20 January 2023
20. Witchel, Selma Feldman (April 2018). "Disorders of Sex Development". Best Practice & Research. Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology. 48: 90–102. doi:10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2017.11.005. ISSN 1521-6934. PMC 5866176. PMID 29503125.
21. Banoth M, Naru RR, Inamdar MB, Chowhan AK (May 2018). "Familial Swyer syndrome: a rare genetic entity". Gynecol. Endocrinol. 34 (5): 389–393. doi:10.1080/09513590.2017.1393662. PMID 29069951. S2CID 4452231.
22. "Swyer syndrome". NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders). Retrieved 23 March 2022.
23. "Mami Y Yo y Mi Gallito, by Director Arisleyda Dilone – Intersex Campaign for Equality". www.intersexequality.com. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
24. Kantola, Iida (27 October 2023). "Sara Forsberg kertoo olevansa intersukupuolinen". Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish).
25. "Ex-Olympian Stella Walsh legally a woman". Sarasota Journal. 12 February 1981. Retrieved 21 July 2014.

Further reading

• Stoicanescu D, Belengeanu V, et al. (2006). "Complete gonadal dysgenesis with XY chromosomal constitution". Acta Endocrinologica. 2 (4): 465–70. doi:10.4183/aeb.2006.465.

External links