Photo: Felicity Tai

Can an XXY female get pregnant?

thetech.org - Can a person with a Y chromosome give birth to a child?

What is the survival rate of prostate?

The 5-year survival rate for people with prostate cancer in the United States is 98%. The 10-year survival rate is also 98%. Approximately 84% of...

Last updated Dec 3, 2019

What makes a woman's eyes beautiful?

It's All About Structure. The structure of the eye orbits, otherwise known as the bones around your eye, are directly linked to the attractiveness...

Last updated Feb 14, 2019

Promotion

Yes, it is possible for someone with a Y chromosome to become pregnant and give birth to a child. But it's extremely rare. One of the most important requirements for pregnancy is having a uterus. Most people with a Y chromosome don't have a uterus and without one, there is no place for a baby to grow. No uterus, no pregnancy. So how is it possible for people to have both a Y chromosome and a uterus? One possibility is that their Y chromosome lacks what it takes to make a male. Unfortunately, scientists don't know the rest of the story. What we do know is that every once in a while, an XY person develops into a female. These individuals could be female in every way, but they almost always lack working ovaries and a uterus. Which means that they can't get pregnant. For reasons we don't understand, on very rare occasions, an XY female does have a uterus. But she still needs a donated egg, since she can't make one herself (no ovaries). There are a handful of cases where individuals with a Y chromosome, a uterus, and a donated egg have become pregnant and given birth to a child. One such mom even had twins! What I thought I'd do for the rest of the article is talk about why having a Y chromosome almost always keeps someone from having a uterus. Then I'll also go over some natural conditions people have where they look female but have a Y chromosome. Anyone with a uterus has the potential to have a baby, even if they carry a Y chromosome. Created using BioRender

The Y Chromosome Almost Always Makes a Male

The sex chromosomes are what make us male or female. Well, to be more accurate, certain genes on the Y chromosome can start the process of making a male. Other genes are then needed to complete the process. Remember, a gene is just a piece of DNA with the instructions for making a protein. And the protein is what goes out and gets a job done. For example, the Y chromosome has a gene on it called SRY (Sex-determining Region-Y). Because it is on the Y, usually only men have this gene.

Should I drink a lot of water before a blood test?

Ideally, start drinking more fluids the day before your blood draw, and continue to drink water before you have your blood drawn. Excessive amounts...

Last updated Jan 9, 2019

Why do they shave the prostate?

In a TURP procedure, doctors shave away extra prostate tissue that is blocking urine flow, thereby increasing the urine channel and allowing...

Last updated Sep 22, 2020

Promotion

SRY is important in getting the ball rolling on making testes. And testes are important for making lots of testosterone and other androgens. The testosterone then goes on to finish the job of making male parts. But testosterone doesn't do this on its own. It needs to work with a certain protein called the androgen receptor (AR). Testosterone and AR pair up to turn lots of different genes on and off. The pattern of genes that are ultimately on makes a fertile male. Both a functioning SRY gene and androgen receptor are required to tell the body to make male parts. Created using BioRender Since most females don't have a Y chromosome, there is no SRY gene to trigger male development. Instead of making testes, females develop ovaries. And they make lots of estrogen instead of testosterone. The estrogen pairs up with the estrogen receptor (ER) to turn a different set of genes on and off. This pattern of genes leads to a uterus, ovaries, and the other parts of a fertile female. So to end up a fertile male, you need working SRY and AR genes. To end up a fertile female, you need for the SRY gene to be absent and for the ER gene to work right*. (*This is of course a gross oversimplification. Lots of other genes are needed to make a fertile male and female.)

Sometimes the Y Chromosome Doesn't Make a Male

Both the SRY and the AR genes can stop working properly. When this happens, the male parts don't get made. But neither do the ovaries or uterus, in most cases. The end result is an XY person who looks female but almost always cannot get pregnant. When the SRY gene isn't working, the resulting condition is called Swyer syndrome, or XY gonadal dysgenesis. Individuals with this condition are genetically male (XY), but look female. There are also XY females who have a working SRY gene on the Y chromosome. However, they have a broken or missing AR gene. This gene normally makes androgen receptor. But if the gene is broken, androgen receptor isn't made. Without androgen receptor, cells don't respond to androgens or testosterone. This means that the cells won't receive the message to make male anatomy. This condition is called complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS).

How do I fix my low testosterone?

Testosterone therapy for low levels Skin patch. A patch is applied once every 24 hours, in the evening, and releases small amounts of the hormone...

Last updated Mar 6, 2019

Is prostate radiation treatment painful?

You will usually go for treatment 5 days a week in an outpatient center for at least several weeks, depending on why the radiation is being given....

Last updated Jul 20, 2020

Promotion

XY females may have a broken SRY gene or lack androgen receptor, so they do not have male parts. Created using BioRender One of the few differences between XX females and XY females is that nearly all XY females don't have ovaries and a uterus. Instead, XY females typically have undeveloped testes inside their bodies. As I mentioned before, in very rare cases, an XY female does have a uterus. Scientists still don't know how this happens. But for these rare individuals, having a Y chromosome and becoming pregnant is possible.

Male Pregnancy in the News

If you've spent some time on the Internet or watching TV, you may think it's possible for males to become pregnant. Don't believe everything you see and read! It is true that a man has given birth to two children in the last few years. But this man was born a woman and has no Y chromosome. He simply opted to keep his uterus when he had his sex reassignment surgery. Other reports have turned out to be hoaxes. So unless you're a seahorse, if you have a Y chromosome and lack a uterus, you can't get pregnant.

Seahorse males carry their children! But it’s very rare in humans.

Here's the bottom line: pregnancy requires a uterus.

Males and most XY females cannot become pregnant because they don't have a uterus. The uterus is where the fetus develops, and pregnancy isn't possible without it. In most cases, having a Y chromosome means having no uterus, so pregnancy isn't possible. But for the very few XY females who have a uterus, pregnancy started with a donated egg is possible.

thetech.org - Can a person with a Y chromosome give birth to a child?

Does having your period affect an MRI?

CONCLUSION. There was no evidence of a difference in outcomes of screening MRI examinations as a function of the week of menstrual cycle in which...

Last updated Sep 22, 2021

Why is my urine foamy?

Passing foamy urine now and then is normal, for the speed of urination and other factors can influence this. But you should see your doctor if you...

Last updated Dec 24, 2021

Promotion

Is dark chocolate full of caffeine?

A 3.5-ounce bar of 70 to 80 percent dark chocolate has about 70 milligrams of caffeine but can contain as much as 160 milligrams for dark chocolate...

Last updated Aug 4, 2021

Imagine Your Moment Of Freedom!

Fluxactive Complete is conveniently packed with over 14 essential prostate powerhouse herbs, vitamins and grade A nutrients which work synergistically to help you support a healthy prostate faster

Learn More »

Promotion

What foods are high in steroids?

Learn More About Natural Steroids Celery. Expert nutritionists say that the scent of celery stimulates testosterone production in men. ... Spinach....

Last updated Aug 4, 2020