AIS: Androgenic Insensitivity Syndrome

Describe what AIS is and mechanism of Androgenic Insensitivity Syndrome. Explain the hormonal mechanism underlying the development of these symptoms. Discuss how these condition relates to typical sex development.

According to Chapter 13, AIS is “considered rare that happens about 5 and 100,000 males” (Chapter 13, pg. 328). In the case of Anne, “she suffers from AIS because during development her testes released normal amounts of androgens because of the mutation to her androgenic receptor gene, and her development progressed as if no androgenic genes were released. During Anne’s development, her brain, her behavior, and her genitals all progressed on the lines of being a female, however; Anne did not develop normal internal female reproductive

organs because like other males, her testes released mullerian-inhibiting substance causing her vagina to be short and her uterus to be underdeveloped” (Chapter 13, pg. 328). Chapter 13 also mentions how, “Anne testes released just enough estrogen to counteract the effects of the androgens that helped feminize her body, however; the adrenal androstenedione was not able stimulate the growth of the public and axillary hair” (Chapter 13, pg. 389). Lastly, Chapter 13 mentions how “Anne’s condition (AIS) is a mutation to the androgen receptor gene that rendered her androgen receptors totally unresponsive” (Chapter 13, pg. 328).

If understanding this correctly, Anne is a female; however, when it comes to her genes she is considered a male. And, how this is possible is because her body rejected the male hormones to some extent allowing her to have some female aspects such as; Anne acting like a female behavior wise and having female genitals instead of having male genitals.