A young infant with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome

Complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) is a rare X-linked recessive disorder resulting from maternally inherited or de novo mutations involving the androgen receptor (AR) gene. The AR is a vital steroid hormone receptor that has a critical role in male sexual differentiation and development and preservation of the male phenotype. The diagnosis of CAIS is based on the presence of female external genitalia in an individual with 46, XY karyotype having normally developed but undescended testes and target tissue unresponsiveness to androgen. Our case presented at the age of 2 months with asymmetric labia majora with bilateral labial mass. Ultrasonography revealed absence of female internal genital organs and presence of testes at labial folds. The child was found to have 46, XY karyotype. BIRDEM Med J 2022; 12(1): 74-77

Rare case of two siblings with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome

Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) also called testicular feminizing syndrome is a rare X linked disorder of sexual differentiation caused by mutation in the androgen receptor (AR) gene, which is located on the X chromosome (Xq11-q12). In the reported cases, individuals with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) presented with a female appearance and normal breast development, absence of uterus and ovaries, bilateral undescended testis, and elevated testosterone levels. The syndrome is usually detected on evaluation of a phenotypic female with primary amenorrhea who presents for treatment of infertility. Here, we report 2 cases of CAIS in siblings 21 and 19 years of age who presented to us with primary amenorrhea. The elder sibling presented to us with primary amenorrhea, thelarche +, absent adrenarche, blind pouch of vagina, b/l inguinal masses suggestive of undescended testes, raised serum testosterone and absent uterus on USG. While the younger sibling also presented with similar findings but had history of b/l orchidectomy at the age of 14 years. Both the sisters were admitted in our unit and the elder sister underwent b/l orchidectomy and McIndoe’s vaginoplasty. While the younger sister underwent McIndoe’s vaginoplasty on the same day. Post-operative recovery was uneventful and they were given hormone replacement therapy (HRT). AIS is a rare X linked disease caused by mutation in the AR gene. which when diagnosed early can be treated appropriately. Precise diagnosis requires clinical, hormonal and molecular investigation and is of great importance for appropriate gender assignment and management in general. With timely gonadectomy, vaginoplasty or vaginal pouch deepening, hormone replacement and appropriate psychological support help the person live a healthy and almost normal life.

Primary Amenorrhea Due to Anatomical Abnormalities of the Reproductive Tract: Molecular Insight

Congenital anomalies of the female reproductive tract that present with primary amenorrhea involve Müllerian aplasia, also known as Mayer–Rokitansky–Küster–Hauser syndrome (MRKHS), and cervical and vaginal anomalies that completely obstruct the reproductive tract. Karyotype abnormalities do not exclude the diagnosis of MRKHS. Familial cases of Müllerian anomalies and associated malformations of the urinary and skeletal systems strongly suggest a complex genetic etiology, but so far, the molecular mechanism in the vast majority of cases remains unknown. Primary amenorrhea may also be the first presentation of complete androgen insensitivity syndrome, steroid 5α-reductase type 2 deficiency, 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3 deficiency, and Leydig cells hypoplasia type 1; therefore, these disorders should be considered in the differential diagnosis of the congenital absence of the uterus and vagina. The molecular diagnosis in the majority of these cases can be established.

A novel de novo androgen receptor nonsense mutation in a sex-reversed 46,XY infant

An infant with 46,XY karyotype, and unambiguous female phenotype was found to have testes in the inguinal regions. Capillary sequencing of the androgen receptor (AR) gene identified a hemizygous de novo mutation (NM_000044.6:c.1621G > T) in exon 2 resulting in a termination codon p.(Glu541*) at the DNA binding domain (DBD). This novel nonsense mutation adds to the compendium of AR mutations which result in complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS).

Case Report: Low Bone and Normal Lean Mass in Adolescents With Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome

IntroductionOsteopenia and osteoporosis have been reported in adults with Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS). Little is known about changes in bone mineral density (BMD) in adolescents with CAIS and whether it is affected by early gonadectomy. Body composition data have not been reported.MethodsSingle-center, retrospective study of CAIS adolescents who underwent dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) (Hologic, Horizon A). Body composition is presented as lean and fat mass indices (LMI, FMI). Z-scores for lumbar spine areal BMD (LBMD), total body less head (TBLH), bone mineral content (BMC), LMI, and FMI were calculated using female normative data. Results are expressed as median and min, max.ResultsSix females with genetically confirmed CAIS were identified—one with intact gonads and five with history of gonadectomy at 2–11 months. In the subject with intact gonads, LBMD-Z and TBLH BMC-Z were −1.56 and −1.26, respectively, at age 16 years. Among those with gonadectomy, LBMD-Z was −1.8 (−3.59 to 0.49) at age 15.6 years (12–16.8) and decreased in all three subjects who had longitudinal follow-up despite hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Adherence to HRT was intermittent. LMI-Z and FMI-Z were 0.1 (−1.39 to 0.7) and 1.0 (0.22 to 1.49), respectively.ConclusionsThese limited data indicate that adolescents with CAIS have bone mass deficit. Further studies are needed to understand the extent of BMD abnormalities and the effect of gonadectomy, especially early in childhood, and to establish the optimal HRT regimen for bone accrual. Data on lean mass are reassuring.