Inhibin A Production after Gonadotropin Stimulus: A New Method to Detect Ovarian Tissue in Ovotesticular Disorder of Sex Development

Background/Aims: While laboratory methods for the detection of testicular tissue are well standardized, currently there is no available test to demonstrate the presence of ovarian tissue. We evaluated the effectiveness of gonadal stimulation with luteinizing hormone (LH)/follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) for the detection of ovarian tissue in patients with disorders of sex development (DSD). Methods: Ten patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) as ovarian-positive controls, 10 with cryptorchidism (ovarian-negative controls), 13 patients with DSD of no defined etiology and 7 patients with ovotesticular DSD (true hermaphroditism, TH) were included in the study. They underwent a daily injection of both LH and FSH on 3 consecutive days. LH, FSH, estradiol, testosterone and inhibin A were measured before treatment, 24 h after the 1st dose and 24 h after the 3rd dose. Results: Estradiol increased in all CAH and TH patients, with a median value of 155.1 and 92.6 pg/ml, respectively, after the 3rd injection. Inhibin A also increased in all CAH and TH patients, with a median value of 70.4 and 32.2 pg/ml, respectively, after the 3rd injection. There was no change in these hormones in the other groups. Conclusion: The LH/FSH stimulation test might be a useful method to detect the presence of ovarian tissue. Copyright (C) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel

The child of uncertain sex: 17 years of experience

Objective: To review the common clinical presentations, investigations and final diagnosis of children presenting with genital ambiguity. Methodology: Retrospective search of the Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia, medical records and personal medical database of one of the authors (MJT) between 1982 and 1999. Results: Fifty-one children aged 0.1-;14 (mean 3.9) years were identified. Twenty-two cases had a 46XX karyotype, and commonly presented with an enlarged phallus (77.2%), urogenital sinus (63.6%) and labioscrotal fold(s) (40.9%). Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) was the most common final diagnosis (72.7%) . Twenty-nine cases of genital ambiguity had a 46XY karyotype and commonly presented with palpable gonad(s) (75.8%), undescended testes (51.7%), penoscrotal hypospadias (51.7%) and a small phallus (41.3%). Androgen insensitivity and gonadal dysgenesis were the commonest final diagnosis both occurring at a frequency of 17.2%. Conclusions: The results emphasize the importance of CAH as the most common diagnosis in 46XX cases presenting with ambiguous genitalia. Those with 46XY had a wider range of diagnoses. Despite thorough investigation, 23.5% had no definite final diagnosis made.

Phylogenetic revision of Australian members of the Allomethus genus group (Diptera : Pipunculidae)

The Australian species of Allomethus and Claraeola are revised and include one described species, Claraeola erinys (Perkins), and five new species: Allomethus unicicolis sp. n., Claraeola cyclohirta sp. n., C. sicilis sp. n., C. spargosis sp. n., and C. yingka sp. n.. Claraeola hylaea (Perkins) is proposed to be a synonym of C. erinys (Perkins). A key to species is provided and male and female genitalia are illustrated. The Australian species are placed phylogenetically into a world context using available taxa within the Allomethus genus group. The phylogenetic relationships are discussed in light of a cladistic analysis involving 22 taxa and 60 characters.

Additional notes on systematic of Neotropical Dissomphalus Ashmead (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae)

Diagnosis and genitalia description and illustration of Dissomphalus bicavatusEvans, 1979;D. bispinulatusEvans, 1969;D. brasiliensisKieffer, 1910;Z). caviclypeus Evans, 1969; D. cornutus Evans 1964; D. dumosus, Evans, 1966; D. fungosus Evans, 1979; D. gilvipes Evans, 1979; D. incomptus Evans, 1964; D. infissus Evans, 1969; D. mendicus Evans, 1969; D. microstictus Evans, 1969; D. mirabilis Evans, 1966; D. nanellus Evans, 1969; D. napo Evans, 1979; D. plaumanni Evans, 1964; D. punctatus (Kieffer, 1910); D. puteolus Evans, 1969; D. rufipalpis Kieffer, 1910; D. xanthopus Ashmead, 1893 are provided. Female of D. mirabilis is first described. Five synonymies are proposed: D. connubialis Evans, 1966 of D. brasiliensis, D. montanus Kieffer, 1910 of D. punctatus, D. obliquus Evans, 1979 of D. rufipalpis, D. teren Evans, 1969 of D. cornutus and D. hastatus Evans, 1979 of D. bispinulatus. D. microtuberculatus sp.n. from Northern Argentina is described and illustrated.

On the Neotropical Rhabdepyris Kieffer (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae) of the subgenus Chlorepyris

Rhabdepyris longifoveatus sp.n. from southeastern Brazil and R. vesiculosus sp.n. from Central America and northwestern South America are described and illustrated. Rhabdepyris virescens Evans, 1965, R. vesculus Evans, 1065, R. subviridis (Kieffer, 1906), R. violaceus Evans, 1965, R. septemlineatus Kieffer, 1906 and R. lobatifrons Kieffer, 1906 had their sting and male genitalia described.

On three endemic species of the linyphiid spider genus Canariphantes Wunderlich, 1992 (Araneae, Linyphiidae) from the Azores archipelago

Copyright © 2014 Magnolia Press.

Genetic variability of Triatoma flavida and Triatoma bruneri (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) by RAPD-PCR technique

The Triatominae (Hemiptera:Reduviidae) contains the principal and potential Chagas disease vectors present in Mexico, Central America and South America. Triatoma flavida and T. bruneri are Cuban species. These species are closely related according to morphology and were considered synonyms until 1981, when they were separated on the grounds of external characters of the body and the morphology of male genitalia. The present study seeks to analyze genetic polymorphism of T. flavida and T. bruneri populations using RAPD techniques, and to assess the genetic relationship between these species. Ten random primers were used to evaluate the genetic variability among species using RAPD-PCR. The genetic flow among them was calculated. The dendrogram based on calculated Jaccard distances showed two clearly distinguishable clusters which coincided with the studied species. Within each species, moderate genetic differentiation (Fst 0.05-0.15) and migration rates (N > 1) were found among populations, that reveal gene flow and genetic homogeneity. Between species, the Fst value showed a high genetic differentiation and the migration rate was insufficient to maintain genetic homogeneity, and confirmed the absence of gene flow between them. Our results confirm the genetic variability among T. flavida and T. bruneri species.

Mutilação Genital Feminina - a Importância de Reconhecer e de Saber como Agir

Female genital mutilation, also named female genital cutting or female circumcision, refers to all practices involving total or partial removal of female external genitalia, or causing other lesions without an established health benefit. The World Health Organization estimates that 130 million women have been submitted to genital mutilation and 3 million are annually exposed to such risk in Africa. It has classified the practice of female genital mutation in four types. Portugal is considered a risk country for the practice of genital mutilation because of the high migration rates from the African continent, and women from Guinea-Bissau are at particular risk. A multidisciplinary commission published an Action Program in 2009, with measures directed at providing healthcare professionals with information on how to deal with this problem.

Porokeratosis Ptychotropica of the Scrotum: Dermoscopic Evaluation of an Atypical Presentation

Porokeratosis ptychotropica is a rare variant of porokeratosis that is classically located on the gluteal and perianal regions, seldom extending to the genitalia. The authors report an atypical presentation of porokeratosis ptychotropica and discuss the use of dermoscopy in evaluating this dermatosis. Dermoscopic findings, although not specific to this variant of porokeratosis, are helpful in the differential diagnosis of other genital disorders. Histopathology, through the visualization of multiple cornoid lamellae, prevails as the gold standard for the definite diagnosis of porokeratosis ptychotropica.

A Case of Late-Diagnosed Ovotesticular Disorder of Sex Development

We report acase of!ovotesticular disorder of sex development!(DSD) with ambiguous genitalia, 46XX presenting the clinical, laboratory, imaging and operative findings and highlighting the pertinent features of this case. Results of hormonal, genetic testing and histopathology findings are reviewed. Diagnosis of true hermaphroditism is well defined and the condition can be recognized even prenatally. Conservative gonadal surgery is the procedure of choice after the diagnosis of true hermaphroditism, if the risk of a gonadal malignancy is low. Continued follow-up is necessary because of the multiple psychological, gynecological and urological problems encountered postpubertally by these patients.

Occurrence and variability of Panstrongylus lutzi in the State of Ceará, Brazil

Panstrongylus lutzi is generally restricted to the "caatinga" areas of north-eastern Brazil. Adult insects are frequently found in local houses, but colonies have not previously been registered in the statistics of the Control Programme of Chagas Disease. In Ceará State, our study revealed increasing occurrence of this species, usually with high infection rates for Trypanosoma cruzi, and always represented by adults that invaded the artificial environment. We also found nymphs in the peridomicile and inside the houses. In silvatic habitats we collected two adult females from hollow tree trunks, which may represent an alternative natural ecotope for the species in this state. Panstrongylus lutzi entomological collections from Sobral and Crateús, studied by morphology and morphometrics, showed great variability; those from Crateús were larger smaller and paler in colour, with individuals showing genital features consistent with those described for Panstrongylus lutzi or Panstrongylus sherlocki, whereas those from Sobral were darker and with genitalia compatible with P. sherlocki, nevertheless, all were considered to be Panstrongylus lutzi.

A pictorial field guide for the rapid identification of sandflies (DIPTERA: PSYCHODIDAE), commonly encountered in Pará state, Brazil.

A pictorial field guide to the 30 species of sandfly most commonly encountered in Pará State is presented, based on the easily recognised external characters of the length of the 5th palpal segment, thoracic infuscation, abdominal colour and head and body size. In most cases this allows identification to the species. In others, especially with females, it gives an indication of the species, which may then be confirmed with data from more detailed taxanomix studies. This type of field guide helps in teaching, rapid sorting of flies prior to dissection and in acquainting visitors with the variety of species present in a given area.A rapid technique for the taxonomic sorting of unmounted, freshly killed female sandflies is required, prior to the dissection of large numbers of a particular species. Such a method is useful in areas where numerous species occur in studies on natural flagellate infections, age determination and for ecological studies. With the above points in mind a pictorial field guide has been designed that enables the identification of unmounted, unmacerated specimens of the 30 more commonly encountered species of phleboto-mine sandflies (***) in Pará State, North Brazil. It is based on the easily recognised external characters of the length of the 5th palpal segment, thoracic infuscation, ad-dominal colour and proboscis and body size.Taxonomy of male phlebotomine sandflies is based on the structure of the genitalia and, as most of this is external, a wholly external character key is readily made. Female taxonomy, however, is based on the internal character of the cibarium, pharynx and sperma thecae. In order to produce an external character key we therefore return to an unso phisticated "phlebotometry" (see Martins et al., 1978 p. 3 for review), using relative lengths of the proboscis, palpal segments and body, along with the degree of infuscation. Ihis idea is not new; indeed many sandfly specialists presently use external characters to separate certain species (H. Fraiha, R. P. Lane, P. D. Ready, D. G. Young and R. D. Ward personal communications 1983 & 1984).A key used to separate five anthropophillic sandflies by Biagi (1966), in Mexico, was based mainly on palpal segment length and infuscation. Floch and Abonnenc (1952) stressed the use of relative lengths of palpal segments in their keys to the sandflies of French Guiana, and four members of the shannoni group have been similarly separated according to the degree of infuscation by Morales et al. (1982). The use of thoracic infuscation as a reliable character seems to be gaining favour, having been used by young & Fairchild (1974) and Ready & Fraiha (1981). Indeed Chariotis 1974) showed the usefulness of thoracic infuscation to sepenate 7 anthropophillic species, during studies onvesicular stomatitis in Panama. Identification using external characters is essential for work on viral isolations from sandflies, where bulk samples of whole sandflies are used.Perhaps the major advantage of a simple visual guide is for teaching purposes. Technical staff in this lnstitute are able to identify most of the species they encounter without having to use the standard, more unwieldly (and in many cases unavailable) internal character keys, and the guides presented below have allowed rapid species sorting prior to the dissection of sandflies in our leismaniasis study areas (Ryan et at. ,1985).

Comportamiento sexual y estrategias de transferencia espermática en escorpiones y solífugos (Arachnida, Scorpiones, Solifugae) de la provincia de Córdoba

Escorpiones y solífugos conforman un interesante modelo sexual dentro de los artrópodos. Presentan un cortejo muy complejo, al que sigue una etapa de transferencia espermática, mediante un espermatóforo en el primer caso, y a través de los quelíceros en el segundo. Se han determinado las principales características "estructurales" del cortejo e inseminación en 14 especies de escorpiones de Argentina. En arácnidos, actualmente se profundiza el estudio de los comportamientos y/o genitalia masculina que evolucionaron bajo presión selectiva de pautas de elección femenina ("female choice"). Esto suele manifestarse en que la hembra acepta copular con algunos machos y no con otros. Sin embargo, en los animales con fertilización interna pueden existir otras formas más sutiles de elección. La hembra puede influir sobre las chances del macho de dejar descendencia aún luego de la intromisión del órgano copulador, fenómeno denominado como "cryptic female choice" (elección femenina encubierta). Por ejemplo, ella puede afectar el transporte del esperma, así como su almacenamiento y utilización. Eberhard (1991) ha postulado que en las especies donde existe "cryptic female choice" la selección favorecería en el macho la aparición de estrategias de conducta o de estructuras genitales que induzcan a la hembra a realizar los procesos de post-intromisión que incrementen su chance de fertilizar los huevos. la aparición de conductas típicas de cortejo durante-e incluso después- de la cópula cumplirían esa función, comportamiento denominado "cortejo copulatorio". (...) Principalmente es necesario determinar la validez de ciertos supuestos, tales como si la realización de cortejo copulatorio realmente incrementa el éxito de la inseminación y/o fecundación. Objetivos generales y específicos: * Realizar un análisis de la diversidad morfológica existente en los espermatóforos de escorpiones de la Provincia de Córdoba desde una perspectiva de selección sexual. * Determinar que influencia tienen sobre el éxito de la inseminación las conductas de cortejo copulatorio y/o de etapas previas, así como su relación con la receptividad sexual de las hembras. * Analizar en escorpiones la relación existente entre la genitalia femenina y el espermatóforo del macho, de acuerdo con el grupo de tamaño en la especie. * Establecer las principales características del comportamiento de apareamiento y mecanismo de transferencia espermática en solífugos de Córdoba.

Anatomia morfológica, externa e interna da lagarta, e do adulto da Brassolis sophorae laurentii Stichel, 1925

O autor neste trabalho faz a descrição morfológica externa e interna da lagarta e do adulto de Brassolis sophorae Laurentii Stichel, inseto praga das palmeiras. Descreve o aspecto externo e após dissecação em líquido Ringer, estuda a morfologia dos diversos aparelhos, inclusive a genitalia do macho e ovos.

Novas espécies de Acrosternum subgênero Chinavia (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae, Pentatomini)

Four new species of Acrosternum from Brazil are described: Acrosternum (Chinavia)immaculatum(Pará, Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais), A.(C.) panizzii (Paraná), A. (C.) pontagrossensis(Paraná)and A. (C.) rideri (Amazonas, Mato Grosso, Goiás, Distrito Federal, Minas Gerais). The external and internal genitalia of both sexes, except of A. (C.) pontagrossensis are studied. A key for the identification of all known species of the genus is included.