New fertility technique allows boys born with extra X chromosome (Klinefelter’s) to become fathers

Klinefelter’s Syndrome

Almost one in every 500-1,000 males babies are born with an extra X chromosome.  This condition is known as Klinefelter’s Syndrome. These men are also known as XXY males or 47XXY males.

Klinefelter’s syndrome is a condition that occurs in men who have an extra X chromosome in most of their cells. The syndrome can affect different stages of physical, language and social development. The most common symptom is infertility. Because they often don’t make as much of the male hormone testosterone as other boys, teenagers with Klinefelter’s syndrome may have less facial and body hair and may be less muscular than other boys (see the diagram above). They may have trouble using language to express themselves. They may be shy and have trouble fitting in.

Now, new research at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell, led by Dr. Peter Schlegel, has pioneered a surgical approach — a combination of TESE (testicular sperm extraction) and IVF (in vitro fertilization) — that enables these men to father healthy children approximately 40 percent of the time it is employed.

For further information, please click on the following link:

http://news.med.cornell.edu/wcmc/wcmc_2007/12_19_07.shtml

Elaine Warburton