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Handbook of Genetic Counseling/Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome
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Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome
Contracting
Greet and welcome clients
Acknowledge prior contact
Thank them for taking time to do the phone intake
Acknowledge their previously stated concerns
I know you have a lot of questions and concerns and we are going to try and give you as much information as we have regarding this condition/diagnosis
Overview of the agenda
Since we already have a very detailed medical history, we will talk about family history a little bit
Discuss AIS
Symptoms
Development
Inheritance/Recurrence risk
Answer any questions
Review Intake
Family History
I know you main concern is AIS, but while we are taking the family history I am going to be asking a lot of questions about other conditions
It is not b/c these things are associated with AIS, this is just to see if there is anything running in your family that we might be concerned about while you are here in genetics
Any history of:
AIS?
Miscarriages, stillbirths, infant deaths?
Chromosome abnormalities (like Down syndrome)
MR, learning disabilities?
Cancer?
Heart problems?
Hearing or vision problems?
Birth defects (ex. CL/P, NTDs)?
Metabolic disorders?
Unusual facial features?
Extra fingers or toes?
Consanguinity?
Ethnic backgrounds?
Psychosocial Assessment
What information have you found out regarding AIS?
Where are your main sources of info?
Internet, books, media
How have you two been dealing with the diagnosis?
Who have you been talking to about this besides doctors and other medical professionals?
Family
Friends
Have these people been supportive?
What are you planning to tell S about the diagnosis?
When will you tell her?
Have you sought support from other families with AIS?
Are you interested in hearing about support group information?
Are your doctors providing you with the information/care that you need?
Do you have any concerns about finances?
Being able to pay for hormone replacement/surgeries/medical care
Genes & Chromosomes
Basics of genes and chromosomes
Cells à Chromosomes à Genes
23 pairs of chromosomes, one-copy
Karyotype pictures
Genetics of AIS
"De novo" mutations
X-linked Recessive Inheritenace
Chromosomes show 46, XY
Gene change is on the X chromosome
25% chance with each pregnancy
50% chance with boys
Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome
Mode of Inheritance: X-linked recessive
Chromosome Location: Xq11-q12
Gene: AR gene
Gene Product: Androgen receptor
Molecular Genetics
Sequence analysis available for all three subtypes of AIS
>95% detection rate in patients with complete AIS
There are normal allelic variants
There are pathologic variants
At least 150 point mutations in the AR gene cause AIS
Majority are missense mutations
Impair DNA or androgen binding that cause CAIS or PAIS
Point mutations in exon one are relatively infrequent
Also small deletions or insertions that cause frameshifts can cause CAIS
Prevalence
2-5/100,000 for CAIS
PAIS about as common as CAIS
Clinical Features
Subdivisions of 3 phenotypes
Complete AIS (CAIS)
Partial AIS (PAIS)
Mild Androgen Insensitivity (MAIS)
Diagnosis
CAIS diagnosed clinically and with lab findings
PAIS and MAIS may require a family history/X-linked inheritance
General Clinical Features
Absence of extragenital abnormalities
Two nondysplastic testes
Absent or rudimentary mǘllerian structures (i.e. no fallopian tubes, uterus, or cervix) and presence of a short vagina
Undermasculinization of the external genitalia at birth
Impaired spermatogenesis and/or somatic virilization at puberty
CAIS
Absent OR rudimentary wolfian duct derivatives
Inguinal OR labial testes, short, blind-ending vagina
Scant OR absent pubic AND/OR axillary hair
PAIS (3 categories)
Predominantly Female (incomplete AIS)
Inguinal OR labial testes
Clitomegaly and labial fusion
Distinct urethral and vaginal openings OR a urogenital sinus
Ambiguous
Microphallus with clitoris-like underdeveloped glans; labia majora-like bifid scrotum
Descended OR undescended testes
Perineoscrotal hypospadias OR urogenital sinus
Gynecomastia
Predominantly male
Simple (glandular or penile) OR severe isolated hypospadias with a normal-size penis and descended testes OR severe hypospadias with micropenis, bifid scrotum, and either descended OR undescended testes
Gynecomastia in puberty
MAIS
Male (undervirilized male syndrome)
Impaired spermatogenesis AND/OR impaired pubertal virilization
Gynecomastia in puberty
Testing
Laboratory findings needed for diagnosis
46,XY karyotype
Evidence of normal or increased synthesis of testosterone (T) by the testes
Evidence of normal conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
Evidence of normal or increased luteinizing hormone (LH) production by the pituitary gland
Evidence of deficient or defective androgen-binding activity of genital skin fibroblasts
Family History
Diagnosis of PAIS and MAIS may require a family history of the condition with X-linked recessive inheritance
Carriers may have asymmetric distribution and sparse or delayed growth of pubic and/or axillary hair
Carriers may also have a history of late (15 yrs) or delayed (16 yrs) menarche
Molecular genetic testing
Greater than 90% of patients with CAIS have an identifiable disease-causing mutations in the AR gene
Fewer than 50% of patients with PAIS have identifiable disease-causing mutations in the AR gene
Sequence analysis is currently available clinically in USA and Canada
Sequencing if eight exons is performed
>95% detection rate in patients with CAIS
Linage analysis
Not clinically available
Testing Laboratories
All Children's Hospital
Molecular Genetics Laboratory
St. Petersburg, FL
email: muellert@allkids.org
phone: (727) 892-8985
fax: (727) 892-8367
Test performed
Diagnostic direct mutation analysis
Sequence analysis is performed for the entire coding region of the androgen receptor (AR) gene associated with complete, partial and mild androgen insensitivity syndromes.
Specimen requirements
In most cases, a single tube of 4 cc whole blood collected in EDTA [lavender top] tubes is sufficient. Minimum specimen on infants is 0.5 cc EDTA whole blood.
Turn around time
Most testing is completed within a target turn-around time of 21 days following specimen receipt. Test results are phoned in or faxed, as requested, in addition to the written report
GeneDx, Inc
Gaithersburg, MD
email: cheryl@genedx.com
phone:(301) 519-2100 ext103
fax: (301) 519-2892
Test performed
Direct mutation analysis
Mutations in the X-linked AR gene are identified by complete sequence analysis of each of 8 AR exons and intron/exon boundaries. The analysis is done on genomic DNA obtained from buccal swabs. Prenatal diagnosis is available once the mutation in a family has been defined.
Specimen requirements
Prefer buccal swabs
Turn around time
~6 weeks
For prenatal diagnosis where mutation is known: ~2 weeks
Costs
Mutation detection requires an affected individual and costs $1500
DNA testing of relatives for a known mutation is $350
Prenatal diagnosis $700 plus any additional cost for ruling out maternal contamination of fetal sample
Management
Modalities
Surgery
Psychological Support
Hormone replacement or supplementation
CAIS
Removal of testes
Estrogen replacement therapy to initiate puberty, maintain feminization, and avoid osteoporosis
PAIS and predominantly female genitalia
Prepubertal gonadectomy
Psychological support
HRT
PAIS and ambiguous genitalia
Sex assignment in infancy
Reconstructive surgeries
After puberty, surgery to correct gynecomastia if necessary
Androgen replacement therapy to maintain libido
MAIS
Reduction mammoplasty for gynecomastia
Trial of androgen pharmacotherapy to improve virilization
Differential Diagnosis
Hypospadias not resulting from AR gene mutations
MAIS sue to point mutations of the androgen receptor gene
Undermasculinization of the external genitalia and pubertal undervirilization are components of many syndromes unrelated to AIS
Prenatal Options
Prenatal Diagnosis
Can look for complete AIS with direct DNA squencing for mutations
To prepare for birth of another baby with AIS or to consider termination
Can be done with CVS or with Amniocentesis
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis
Analyzes eggs prior to implantation to find out sex
Daughters are not affected with AIS
Conclusions
Review what was discussed in the session
Answer any final questions
Give resource information and phone number
Notes
The information in this outline was last updated in 2003.