Kristin M. May

Sex ratios in fetuses and liveborn infants with autosomal aneuploidy

Ten data sources were used substantially to increase the available data for estimating fetal and livebirth sex ratios for Patau (trisomy 13), Edwards (trisomy 18), and Down (trisomy 21) syndromes and controls. The fetal sex ratio estimate was 0.88 (N = 584) for trisomy 13, 0.90 (N = 1702) for trisomy 18, and 1.16 (N = 3154) for trisomy 21. All were significantly different from prenatal controls (1.07). The estimated ratios in prenatal controls were 1.28 (N = 1409) for CVSs and 1.06 (N = 49427) for amniocenteses, indicating a clear differential selection against males, mostly during the first half of fetal development. By contrast, there were no sex ratio differences for any of the trisomies when comparing gestational ages < 16 and > 16 weeks. The livebirth sex ratio estimate was 0.90 (N = 293) for trisomy 13, 0.63 (N = 497) for trisomy 18, and 1.15 (N = 6424) for trisomy 21, the latter two being statistically different than controls (1.05) (N = 3660707). These ratios for trisomies 13 and 18 were also statistically different than the ratio for trisomy 21. Only in trisomy 18 did the sex ratios in fetuses and livebirths differ, indicating a prenatal selection against males > 16 weeks. No effects of maternal age or race were found on these estimates for any of the fetal or livebirth trisomies. Sex ratios for translocations and mosaics were also estimated for these aneuploids. Compared to previous estimates, these results are less extreme, most likely because of larger sample sizes and less sample bias. They support the hypothesis that these trisomy sex ratios are skewed at conception, or become so during embryonic development through differential intrauterine selection. The estimate for Down syndrome livebirths is also consistent with the hypothesis that its higher sex ratio is associated with paternal nondisjunction.

Campomelic syndrome and deletion of SOX9

The human SOX9 gene, located in chromosome region 17q24.1-25.1, encodes a transcription factor involved in chondrogenesis and testis development. Mutations in this gene cause campomelic syndrome (CMPS) with autosomal sex reversal. Here we describe an infant girl with CMPS and an interstitial deletion on the long arm of chromosome 17 (46,X,del(17)(q23.3q24.3). The extent of SOX9 deletion on one chromosome 17 was defined using unique sequence fluorescent in situ hybridization probes. This is the first report of a patient with CMPS bearing a complete deletion of one SOX9 gene, and as such is the strongest evidence to date for dose-dependent action of the SOX9 protein in normal chondrogenesis.

Analysis of non-disjunction in sex chromosome tetrasomy and pentasomy

SummaryX-linked DNA markers were used to determine the parental origin of the additional sex chromosomes in eight individuals with sex chromosome tetrasomy or pentasomy. In all cases studied, one parent contributed a single sex chromosome while the other parent contributed three or four sex chromosomes. Thus, it seems likely that most, if not all, sex chromosome tetrasomy and pentasomy is attributable to successive nondisjunctional events involving the same parent.

Asplenia syndrome in a child with a balanced reciprocal translocation of chromosomes 11 and 20 [46,XX,t(11;20)(q13.1;q13.13)]

We present a 6-year-old girl with a balanced 11;20 translocation [46,XX,t(11;20)(q13.1;q13.13)pat], asplenia, pulmonic stenosis, Hirschsprung disease, minor anomalies, and mental retardation. This case represents the second report of an individual with situs abnormalities and a balanced chromosome rearrangement involving a breakpoint at 11q13. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of microsatellite markers excluded uniparental disomy for chromosomes 11 and 20. Segregation analysis of markers in the 11q13 region in the proposita and her phenotypically normal carrier sibs did not show a unique combination of maternal and paternal alleles in the patient. We discuss several possible explanations for the simultaneous occurrence of situs abnormalities and a balanced 11;20 translocation. These include (1) chance, (2) a further chromosome rearrangement in the patient, (3) gene disruption and random situs determination, and (4) gene disruption plus transmission of a recessive or imprinted allele from the mother.

Mosaic trisomy 4: Long-term outcome on the first reported liveborn.

In a previous report, we described the first liveborn with trisomy 4 mosaicism [Marion et al. (1990) Am J Med Genet 37:362–365]. To our knowledge, since our original report, there have been only four additional reports of a prenatal diagnosis of mosaic trisomy 4 resulting in a liveborn child [Hsu et al. (1997) Prenat Diag 17:201–242; Kuchinka et al. (2001) Prenat Diag 21:36–39; Wieczorek et al. (2003) Prenat Diag 23:128–133; Zaslav et al. (2000) Am J Med Genet 95:381–384]. Three of the more recent reports lacked confirmation of the mosaicism in tissue samples collected from the child after delivery, and likely represent cases of confined placental mosaicism. We recently examined our original patient, N.J., in an effort to provide long‐term follow‐up. N.J. is currently 14‐years‐old, and is enrolled in both special education and mainstream eighth grade classes at a local public middle school. Although she generally scores below average on standardized intellectual tests, her verbal skills and social interactions are more age appropriate. Our initial report described abnormalities of N.J.s right hand and right ear, for which several reconstructive surgeries have been performed. A current medical concern is her entrance into puberty, as menarche has not yet occurred, and asymmetrical breast development is present. Overall, N.J. has developed into a generally healthy adolescent with low‐normal intellect. This report demonstrates the importance of long‐term follow‐up in providing accurate counseling for rare chromosomal disorders.

APPENDIX 3B Basic Techniques in Mammalian Cell Tissue Culture

Cultured mammalian cells are used extensively in cell biology studies. It requires a number of special skills in order to be able to preserve the structure, function, behavior, and biology of the cells in culture. This unit describes the basic skills required to maintain and preserve cell cultures: maintaining aseptic technique, preparing media with the appropriate characteristics, passaging, freezing and storage, recovering frozen stocks, and counting viable cells.

Mammalian Cell Tissue Culture Techniques

Cultured tissues and cells are used extensively in physiological and pharmacological studies. In vitro cultures provide a means of examining cells and tissues without the complex interactions that would be present if the whole organism were studied. A number of special skills are required in order to preserve the structure, function, behavior, and biology of cells in culture. This unit describes the basic skills required to maintain and preserve cell cultures: maintaining aseptic technique, preparing media with the appropriate characteristics, passaging, freezing and storage, recovering frozen stocks, and counting viable cells.

Mammalian Cell Tissue Culture

Cultured mammalian cells are used extensively in the field of human genetics. It requires a number of special skills in order to be able to preserve the structure, function, behavior, and biology of the cells in culture. This unit describes the basic skills required to maintain and preserve cell cultures: maintaining aseptic technique, preparing media with the appropriate characteristics, passaging, freezing and storage, recovering frozen stocks, and counting viable cells.