Every 500th man may have an “extra” chromosome that affects health

Geneticists analyzed data from more than 200 thousand British men aged 40 to 70 years old in the UK

Biobank.It is a biomedical and research database containing anonymous genetic, lifestyle and health information from half a million British people. As a result of the study, 213 men were found to have an extra X chromosome, and 143 had an “extra” Y chromosome. 

The authors of the work note that since the data inbank tends to represent "healthier" than the general population, suggesting that about one in 500 males may carry an extra X or Y chromosome.

The sex chromosomes determine our biologicalfloor. Males usually have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome, while females have two X chromosomes. However, as the authors of the work explain, some men also have an additional X- or Y-chromosome - XXY or XYY.

The researchers say that to determine the excessa chromosome without a genetic test is impossible, so most men are not aware of such an anomaly. Males with extra X chromosomes are sometimes identified during testing for delayed puberty and infertility. Carriers of the "extra" Y chromosome are usually taller, but otherwise do not differ from other men.

Genetic testing can quite easilyidentify chromosomal abnormalities, so it would be helpful if testing for the presence of an extra chromosome were more widely prescribed for men when they see their doctor.

Professor Ken Ong, study co-author

According to UK Biobank, only a quarter of the 213 men with an extra X chromosome and only one with an extra Y chromosome were aware of the genetic disorder.

At the same time, studies have shown thatanomaly increases the risk of developing a number of diseases. Carriers of an extra chromosome are three times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes and pulmonary embolism, six times more likely to develop venous thrombosis, and four times more likely to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

In addition, men with an “extra” X chromosome increase the risk of reproductive problems. They have three times the risk of delayed puberty and four times the risk of male infertility.

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