Expanding the phenotypic spectrum of LHCGR signal peptide insertion variant: novel clinical and allelic findings causing Leydig cell hypoplasia type II

Abstract

Purpose Leydig cell hypoplasia (LCH) type II is a rare disease with only a few cases reported. Patients presented with hypospadias, micropenis, undescended testes, or infertility. In this study, we report a new patient with compound heterozygous variants in the LHCGR gene and LCH type II phenotype. Methods: Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed followed by Sanger sequencing to confirm the detected variants in the patient and his parents. Results: A novel missense variant (p.Phe444Cys) was identified in a highly conserved site and is verified to be in trans with the signal peptide’s 33-bases insertion variant. Conclusion: Our research provides a more comprehensive clinical and genetic spectrum of Leydig cell hypoplasia type II. It highlighted the importance of WES in the diagnosis of this uncommon genetic disorder as well as the expansion of the genotype of LCH type II.