Swyer syndrome

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Swyer syndrome is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

46, XY CGD
46, XY Complete Gonadal Dysgenesis
46, XY Pure Gonadal Dysgenesis
Gonadal Dysgenesis, XY Female Type

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Swyer syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by the failure of the sex glands (i.e., testicles or ovaries) to develop. Swyer syndrome is classified as a disorder of sex development or a DSD, which encompasses any disorder in which chromosomal, gonadal or anatomic sex development is abnormal. Girls with Swyer syndrome have an XY chromosomal makeup (as boys normally do) instead of an XX chromosomal makeup (as girls normally do). Despite having the XY chromosomal makeup, girls with Swyer syndrome look female and have functional female genitalia and structures including a vagina, uterus and fallopian tubes.

Girls with Swyer syndrome lack sex glands (ovaries). Instead of sex glands, women with Swyer syndrome have "gonadal streaks", in which the ovaries do not develop properly (aplasia) and are replaced by functionless scar (fibrous) tissue. Because they lack ovaries, girls with Swyer syndrome do not produce sex hormones and will not undergo puberty (unless treated with hormone replacement therapy). Mutations to a few different genes are known to cause Swyer syndrome. Swyer syndrome usually occurs as a random event, but, in rare cases, can also be inherited in an autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, X-linked or Y-linked manner.

Resources

National Infertility Association
7910 Woodmont Avenue
Suite 1350
Bethesda, MD 208814
Tel: (301)652-8585
Fax: (301)652-9375
Email: info@resolve.org
Internet: http://www.resolve.org

Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome Support Group (AISSG)
P.O. Box 2148
Duncan, OK 73534-2148
USA
Email: aissgusa@hotmail.com
Internet: http://www.aissgusa.org

Genetic Alliance
4301 Connecticut Avenue NW
Suite 404
Washington, DC 20008-2304
USA
Tel: (202)966-5557
Fax: (202)966-8553
Tel: (800)336-4363
Email: membership@geneticalliance.org
Internet: http://www.geneticalliance.org

Accord Alliance
398 Columbus Avenue #294
Boston, MA 02116
USA
Tel: (617)488-9770
Email: anthony.asciutto@accordalliance.org
Internet: http://www.accordalliance.org

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated: 9/4/2008
Copyright 2008 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

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