De La Chapelle Syndrome (also known as XX Male Syndrome) is an intersex variation that effects one in every 20,000 AMAB or CTM births in which an individual has female chromosomes (XX chromosomes) however they have a male appearance outwardly. Most with this variation have small testicles or a missing testicle or a urethra opening that is on a unusual spot of the genitals (hypospadias.) On rare occasion, one with this variation may have ambiguous genitals. Because of this, they may have AMAB Hypogonadism.
In about 80% of individuals with De La Chapelle Syndrome, the variation results from an abnormal exchange of genetic material between chromosomes while they were forming in the uterus, which causes the individual to have no Y chromosomes, or only partial Y chromosomes.
Many with this variation tend to be shorter than average and infertile, however with testosterone treatments (HRT) one may have a higher chance at a more natural flow of growth during puberty.
It is important to note that not all the symptoms listed in this page are guaranteed to occur in someone with this variation, as someone may only experience one or several of these symptoms, yet still hold the variation.
A similar intersex variation is SERKAL Syndrome.
History
It is unknown when De La Chapelle Syndrome was discovered, however it has been recorded since 1987.
Resources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XX_male_syndrome
- https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/variation/46xx-testicular-disorder-of-sex-development/
- https://www.orpha.net/consor/cgi-bin/Disease_Search.php?Disease(s)%2Fgroup+of+diseases=De-la-Chapelle-syndrome&Disease_Disease_Search_diseaseGroup=393&Disease_Disease_Search_diseaseType=ORPHA&data_id=5546&lng=EN&search=Disease_Search_Simple&title=De-la-Chapelle-syndrome
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/xx-male-syndrome