OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) for the diagnosis of children with disorders of sex development (DSD). METHODS: Five children with DSD who presented at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from October 2019 to October 2020 were enrolled. In addition to chromosomal karyotyping, whole exome sequencing (WES), SRY gene testing, and CNV-seq were also carried out. RESULTS: Child 1 and 2 had a social gender of female, whilst their karyotypes were both 46,XY. No pathogenic variant was identified by WES. The results of CNV-seq were 46,XY,+Y (1.4) and 46,XY,-Y (0.75), respectively. The remaining three children have all carried an abnormal chromosome Y. Based on the results of CNV-seq, their karyotypes were respectively verified as 45,X[60]/46,X,del(Y)(q11.221)[40], 45,X,16qh+[76]/46,X,del(Y)(q11.222),16qh+[24], and 45,X[75]/46,XY[25]. CONCLUSION CNV-seq may be used to verify the CNVs on the Y chromosome among children with DSD and identify the abnormal chromosome in those with 45,X/46,XY. Above results have provided a basis for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of such children.
Humans ; Child ; Female ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Karyotyping ; Exome Sequencing ; Disorders of Sex Development/genetics*

This study aims to characterize the cell atlas of the epididymis derived from a 46,XY disorders of sex development (DSD) patient with a novel heterozygous mutation of the nuclear receptor subfamily 5 group A member 1 (NR5A1) gene. Next-generation sequencing found a heterozygous c.124C>G mutation in NR5A1 that resulted in a p.Q42E missense mutation in the conserved DNA-binding domain of NR5A1. The patient demonstrated feminization of external genitalia and Tanner stage 1 breast development. The surgical procedure revealed a morphologically normal epididymis and vas deferens but a dysplastic testis. Microfluidic-based single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis found that the fibroblast cells were significantly increased (approximately 46.5%), whereas the number of main epididymal epithelial cells (approximately 9.2%), such as principal cells and basal cells, was dramatically decreased. Bioinformatics analysis of cell-cell communications and gene regulatory networks at the single-cell level inferred that epididymal epithelial cell loss and fibroblast occupation are associated with the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. The present study provides a cell atlas of the epididymis of a patient with 46,XY DSD and serves as an important resource for understanding the pathophysiology of DSD.
Male ; Humans ; Epididymis ; Disorder of Sex Development, 46,XY/genetics* ; Disorders of Sex Development ; Mutation ; Mutation, Missense ; Steroidogenic Factor 1/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively analyze sex chromosomal abnormalities and clinical manifestations of children with disorders of sex development (DSD). METHODS: A total of 14 857 children with clinical features of DSD including short stature, cryptorchidism, hypospadia, buried penis and developmental delay were recruited from Zhengzhou Children's Hospital from January 2013 to March 2022. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and chromosomal karyotyping were carried out for such children. RESULTS: In total 423 children were found to harbor sex chromosome abnormalities, which has yielded a detection rate of 2.85%. There were 327 cases (77.30%) with Turner syndrome and a 45,X karyotype or its mosaicism. Among these, 325 were females with short stature as the main clinical manifestation, 2 were males with short stature, cryptorchidism and hypospadia as the main manifestations. Sixty-two children (14.66%) had a 47,XXY karyotype or its mosaicism, and showed characteristics of Klinefelter syndrome (KS) including cryptorchidism, buried penis and hypospadia. Nineteen cases (4.49%) had sex chromosome mosaicisms (XO/XY), which included 11 females with short stature, 8 males with hypospadia, and 6 cases with cryptorchidism, buried penis, testicular torsion and hypospadia. The remainder 15 cases (3.55%) included 9 children with a XYY karyotype or mosaicisms, with main clinical manifestations including cryptorchidisms and hypospadia, 4 children with a 47,XXX karyotype and clinical manifestations including short stature and labial adhesion, 1 child with a 46,XX/46,XY karyotype and clinical manifestations including micropenis, hypospadia, syndactyly and polydactyly, and 1 case with XXXX syndrome and clinical manifestations including growth retardation. CONCLUSION Among children with DSD due to sex chromosomal abnormalities, sex chromosome characteristics consistent with Turner syndrome was most common, among which mosaicism (XO/XX) was the commonest. In terms of clinical manifestations, the females mainly featured short stature, while males mainly featured external genital abnormalities. Early diagnosis and treatment are particularly important for improving the quality of life in such children.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Turner Syndrome/genetics* ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Cryptorchidism ; Hypospadias ; Retrospective Studies ; Quality of Life ; Sex Chromosome Aberrations ; Karyotyping ; Mosaicism ; Disorders of Sex Development/genetics*

Objective: To explore the heterogeneity and correlation of clinical phenotypes and genotypes in children with disorders of sex development (DSD). Methods: A retrospective study of 1 235 patients with clinically proposed DSD in 36 pediatric medical institutions across the country from January 2017 to May 2021. After capturing 277 DSD-related candidate genes, second-generation sequencing was performed to analyzed the heterogeneity and correlation combined with clinical phenotypes. Results: Among 1 235 children with clinically proposed DSD, 980 were males and 255 were females of social gender at the time of initial diagnosis with the age ranged from 1 day of age to 17.92 years. A total of 443 children with pathogenic variants were detected through molecular genetic studies, with a positive detection rate of 35.9%. The most common clinical phenotypes were micropenis (455 cases), hypospadias (321 cases), and cryptorchidism (172 cases) and common mutations detected were in SRD5A2 gene (80 cases), AR gene (53 cases) and CYP21A2 gene (44 cases). Among them, the SRD5A2 mutation is the most common in children with simple micropenis and simple hypospadias, while the AMH mutation is the most common in children with simple cryptorchidism. Conclusions: The SRD5A2 mutation is the most common genetic variant in Chinese children with DSD, and micropenis, cryptorchidism, and hypospadias are the most common clinical phenotypes. Molecular diagnosis can provide clues about the biological basis of DSD, and can also guide clinicians to perform specific clinical examinations. Target sequence capture probes and next-generation sequencing technology can provide effective and economical genetic diagnosis for children with DSD.
3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase/genetics* ; Child ; China/epidemiology* ; Cryptorchidism/genetics* ; Disorders of Sex Development/genetics* ; Female ; Genital Diseases, Male ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hypospadias/genetics* ; Male ; Membrane Proteins/genetics* ; Penis/abnormalities* ; Phenotype ; Retrospective Studies ; Steroid 21-Hydroxylase/genetics*

Aromatase deficiency (AD) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disease caused by loss-of-function mutations in aromatase gene (CYP19A1), leading to congenital estrogen deficiency syndrome. Both mothers of AD patients during pregnancy and female AD fetus show virilization, while male patients are usually diagnosed in adulthood due to continued height increase and metabolic abnormalities. In 2019, a patient with AD was admitted in the Second Xiangya Hospital. The patient was a 37-year-old adult male who continued to grow linearly after adulthood. His estradiol was below the measurable line, the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) increased, bone age delayed, epiphysis unfused, and the bone mass reduced. CYP19A1 gene detection showed that c.1093C>T, p.R365W was homozygous mutation. This disease is rare in clinic. Clinicians need to raise awareness of the disease for early diagnosis and treatment to improve the long-term prognosis of patients.
46, XX Disorders of Sex Development/genetics* ; Adult ; Aromatase/metabolism* ; Female ; Gynecomastia/genetics* ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; Male ; Metabolism, Inborn Errors ; Mutation ; Pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: To report on the diagnosis and treatment process and clinical characteristics of a child with disorder of sex development (DSD) and to conduct pathological, imaging and genetic analysis for the patient. METHODS: Clinical data of the patient were collected. Genetic testing including chromosomal karyotyping, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), copy number variations (CNVs) analysis, SRY gene detection and multiple ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) were carried out. RESULTS: The patient had a social gender of male, with a history of hypospadia and breast development. Sex hormone tests showed slightly raised prolactin. Imaging results showed bilateral breast hyperplasia, abnormal seminal vesicle glands, rudimentary uterus, and underdeveloped right testis. Intraoperative examination revealed that the child had an ovary on the left and a testis on the right. The pathological results showed fibroadenomatoid changes in the breast. The patient had a karyotype of 46,XX. FISH results showed 46,XX.ish(DXZ1x2, SRYx0). Molecular testing showed that NR0B1, PHEX, CXORF21, GJB1, PQBP1, and COL4A5 genes are duplicated. There was a presence of SRY gene and absence of UYT gene. CONCLUSION DSD should be considered in patients with genital abnormality and male breast development. Ultrasound, sex hormone test and genetic testing should be performed to confirm the diagnosis of DSD, and molecular testing should be performed if necessary. Individualized treatment of DSD patient requires cooperation of multiple clinical disciplines.
Child, Preschool ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics* ; Disorders of Sex Development/genetics* ; Female ; Genetic Testing ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Male ; Sexual Development/genetics*

MAMLD1 gene has been implicated in 46,XY disorders of sex development (DSD) in recent years. Patients carrying MAMLD1 gene variants showed a "continuous spectrum" of simple micropenis, mild, moderate and severe hypospadias with micropenis, cryptorchidism, split scrotum and even complete gonadal dysplasia. The function of MAMLD1 gene in sexual development has not been fully elucidated, and its role in DSD has remained controversial. This article has reviewed recent findings on the role of the MAMLD1 gene in DSD, including the MAMLD1 gene, its encoded protein, genetic variants, clinical phenotype and possible pathogenic mechanism in DSD.
DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics* ; Disorders of Sex Development/genetics* ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Nuclear Proteins/genetics* ; Phenotype ; Sexual Development ; Transcription Factors/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a child with 46,XY disorders of sex development (DSD) and explore its genotype-phenotype correlation. METHODS: The child was subjected to whole exome sequencing (WES), and exons 1 to 7 of NR5A1 were subjected to multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analysis. RESULTS: The patient presented with rudimentary vulva of a female with Tanner stage 1. B-mode ultrasonography has detected ovary and uterus. The child was found to have a chromosome karyotype of 46,XY. WES revealed that the patient has harbored heterozygous deletion of exon 5 of the NR5A1 gene, which was a novel pathogenic variant inherited from the mother. No abnormality was found in the father. CONCLUSION The main symptoms of 46,XY DSD children are insufficient external genitalia masculinization, for which variants of the NR5A1 gene are an important cause. WES has improved the detection rate of genetic variants and provided a solid basis for genetic counseling of the affected families.
Child ; Disorder of Sex Development, 46,XY/genetics* ; Disorders of Sex Development/genetics* ; Exons/genetics* ; Female ; Genetic Testing ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Mutation ; Steroidogenic Factor 1/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis of three children with disorders of sex development (DSD) in association with rare Y chromosome rearrangements. METHODS: The three children, who all featured short stature and DSD, were subjected to G banding chromosomal karyotyping, multiplex PCR for Y chromosomal microdeletion, sequencing of the whole SRY gene, SNP-array analysis for genomic copy number variations, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). RESULTS: The combined analysis revealed chromosomal abnormalities in all of the three children, including 46,X,t(X;Y)(p22.3;q11.2) in case 1, mos 45,X,der(7)pus dic(Y:7)(p11.3p22)del(7)(p21.2p21.3) del(7)(p12.3p14.3) [56]/45,X [44] in case 2, and mos 45,X [50]/46,X,idic(Y)(q11.22) [42]/47,X,idem×2 [4]/47,XYY [2] in case 3. CONCLUSION Combined use of genetic techniques can delineate complex rearrangements involving Y chromosome in patients featuring short stature and DSD. Above findings have enabled molecular diagnosis and genetic counseling for the patients.
Child ; Chromosome Banding ; Chromosomes, Human, Y/genetics* ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Male ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Sex Chromosome Aberrations ; Sex Chromosome Disorders of Sex Development/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the pathogenesis for a SRY-negative male with 46,XX disorder of sex development (DSD). METHODS: Peripheral blood samples of the patient and his family members were subjected to chromosomal karyotyping, routine PCR, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, whole exome sequencing and whole genome sequencing. The data was analyzed with NextGENe software. RESULTS: Both the proband and his brother presented a 46,XX karyotype with negative SRY gene, while their father presented normal phenotype and karyotype with positive SRY gene. No pathogenic variant associated with sex development was detected by whole exome sequencing, while a 243 kb duplication was detected by whole genome sequencing in the 5' upstream region of the SOX9 gene in the proband, his brother and father. The same duplication was not found in his sister and mother. CONCLUSION The 243 kb duplication at the 5' upstream of the SOX9 gene may predispose to the 46,XX DSD in this family. It is speculated that there exist an unknown core regulatory element in the upstream of the SOX9, and its duplication may trigger expression of SOX9 and initiate testicular differentiation in the absence of SRY gene.
Disorders of Sex Development/genetics* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation/genetics* ; Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid/genetics* ; Sex-Determining Region Y Protein/genetics* ; Testis ; Whole Exome Sequencing