Clinical experiences with the skin biopsy method of detecting chromosomal sex

Discovering Sex: Medical Science, Feminism and Intersexuality

“…The type of intersexuality most discussed in medical writings during the 1950s was pseudohermaphroditism, a state where a person possessed the gonads of one sex, but the genitals or bodily characteristics of the presumed opposite sex (Findlay, 1990). One set of studies found that "the identification of chromosomal sex by the skin biopsy method" was helpful in the "differentiation between female and male pseudohermaphroditism" (Sohval, Gaines andGabrilone, 1955: 1081). Studies of pathological disturbances reported on the lack of connection between hormones and the sex chromatin.…”

“…On this basis, it was surmised that sex chromatins indicated stable biological sexes. But Sohval, Gaines and Gabrilone (1955) were cautious, viewing the sex chromatin as indicative of a dominant sex, rather than an absolute one. In the case of pseudohermaphroditism they suggested that "if the gonads are interpreted as ovotestes, this individual would be considered a true hermaphrodite, and the male chromosomal sex in this case may be indicative of the predominant, rather than the true, sex" (1080).…”

“…It promoted a seemingly exclusive division between males and females, even among those physicians who noted that such sex categories were not absolute. One group of authors argued that "differences in epidermal nuclear morphology permit ready differentiation between chromosomal males and females" (Sohval, Gaines andGabrilone, 1955: 1074). Even qualifications of absolute exclusivity were thought to be statistically insignificant.…”

Cytogenetic studies in Klinefelter's syndrome.

“…Herrmann and Davis (1956) <57° Kaplan and Norfleet (1961) <5# - Sohval et al (1955) O-6/0 0.8% Israelson and Taylor (1961) - Grumbach et al (1957) 0-7 # - Baruah and Patoway (1962) 0-7% -Guard (1959) <10% - Grob and Kupperman (1961) 0-10% 0;% DeBeer (1958) 1-14# 5% Hinglais and Hinglais (1955) 1-20% -Silva-Inzunzs za (1957) -2.98% Greenblatt et al (1956) 2 respectively).…”

“…There is some dispute as to whether the morphology and incidence of sex chromatin is affected by the hormonal status of the individual. Sohval, Gaines, and Gabrilove (1955)…”