ESPE Abstracts

Background: Differentiation of the gonads in men is closely dependent on Sertoli cells maturation. Differences of sex development (DSD) are caused by variations in this process. The study of the mechanisms underlying these complex conditions is crucial for optimal clinical management and Sertoli cells would be an ideal model for this purpose. However, there are two main obstacles for the study of human Sertoli cells. Firstly, mature human Sertoli cells lose their proliferation...

Background: An activation cascade of specific genes sets up the initiation of sex determination leading in males to testes formation and synthesis of testicular hormones. Disruption of this gene cascade may cause a spectrum of 46,XY disorders/differences of sex development (DSD) phenotypes. Here we describe for the first time two sisters suffering from 46,XY DSD, who by whole exome sequencing revealed to carry a X-linked mutation in the StAR-related lipid transfer domain prote...