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[Transsexualism and the H-Y antigen]
Fortschritte Der Medizin
|January 15, 1981
Summary
Transsexual individuals often show incongruous H-Y antigen status, aligning with gender identity rather than biological sex. This finding suggests a potential role for H-Y antigen in understanding gender identity development.
Area of Science:
- Immunogenetics
- Endocrinology
- Sexology
Context:
- H-Y antigen, a male-specific histocompatibility antigen, has been studied in relation to transsexualism since 1979.
- Previous research suggested a potential link between H-Y antigen expression and gender identity.
Purpose:
- To investigate the H-Y antigen status in a cohort of male-to-female and female-to-male transsexual individuals.
- To determine if H-Y antigen expression correlates with gender identity or biological sex characteristics.
Summary:
- Analyzed H-Y antigen expression in 61 transsexuals using the Goldberg cytotoxicity assay.
- Found incongruous H-Y antigen status in 55 cases (91%), aligning with gender identity in most instances.
- Male-to-female transsexuals were predominantly H-Y negative, while female-to-male transsexuals were predominantly H-Y positive.
Impact:
- These findings challenge traditional understandings of H-Y antigen function and sex determination.
- Suggests novel considerations for the pathogenesis of gender dysphoria and the biological underpinnings of gender identity.
- May influence future research into the genetic and immunological factors involved in transsexualism.