Testicular Feminization (정소성 여성화)

Testicular Feminization, also known as androgen insesitivity syndrome, is seen when a person who is genetically male does not respond to the male sex hormone testosterone.

 

In complete testicular feminization, a person's outward appearance is all woman : He has a vagina and a female body, although the other internal reproductive organs - the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes - are missing.

 The testes are internal and replace the ovaries. This occurs in about 1 in 20,000 births.

 

So, what causes this syndrome? 과학자들은 Y 염색체의 유전적 결함이라고 콕 짚어서 말한다. 이 결과로 세포안에 있는 protein receptor들이 제대로 된 기능을 하지 못하기 때문이다. 이것은 마치 누군가 testosterone 이 들어오지 못하게 열쇠를 바꾼 것과 같으니 남성 성호르몬이 중요한 조직과 결합하려 할 때 이를 차단하여 떠내려가게 하는 것과 같다.

 

Like the other ambiguous sex conditions, this syndrome is frequently detected during puberty.

  A person with testicular feminization may develop breasts but will fail to ovulate, menstruate, or grow underarm hair.

 

These individuals have been raised as girls and identify as females, the majority choose to remain identified as women.

 

Treatment options include surgery to remove any remaining testicular tissue and construct a more complete vagina, estrogen replacement therapy after puberty, and psychological counseling.

 

 

In 1953, the endocrinologist  J. C. Morris suggested the term testicular feminization for the syndrome.

 

To diagnose testicular feminization, physicians often perform a pelvic exam and test hormone levels.