• Question: is it true we have supper men, guys with YXy

    Asked by 965ngrj1727 to Bernerd, Erick, Joseph, Ken, Peter on 4 Jul 2017.
    • Photo: Bernerd Fulanda

      Bernerd Fulanda answered on 4 Jul 2017:


      Dear Ngrj
      Yes there are XYY men or what your refering to as supermen
      The Supermen (XYY) syndrome is a genetic condition which happens when during the splitting of chromosomes for the ova and the sperm, it happens that instead of OVA 23 + SPERM 23 to get 46 chromosomes, the human male has an extra male (Y) chromosome, giving a total of 47 chromosomes. This is however rare but occurs ONCE in every 1000 Males born 1 in 1,000 male births.
      Why scientists call this a sort of supermale is not because of the 47 chromosomes (because you CANT see this or detect this unless the male is send for chromosome screening) but because of the following traits:-
      1. Males with XYY grow faster since early childhood, and are generally taller, about 7cm taller than expected; generally, the supermale grows taller than both father and mother, whereas under normal circumstances, you are slightly shorter than your taller parent
      2. In some cases, the supermales often run the risk of reduced IQs (say, theyre not as bright as their sibblings) and would have learning difficulties although in some cases the XYY may not have an effect on the IQ
      3. please understand that the XYY condition is not inherited but XYY is not inherited, but usually occurs as a random event during the formation of sperm cells. Therefore a XYY with 47 chromosomes will still produce a normal 46 chromosome baby, so it shouldn’t worry you; it will only affect the individual himself. Understand the condition doesnt occur in females or girls
      4. Please not that the XYY syndrome is not usually diagnosed (no way to detect) and children are only send for chromosome screening when they learning issues /problems appear present; as in the boy has difficult learning in school.
      5. Note that there is a also other two common sex chromosome aneuploidies/syndromes where you have 47 chromosomes with two X and one Y (XXY, results in Klinefelter syndrome) which basically results in sterile males; and the Superfemale with xxx who also grow taller, have normal fertility, but like the XYY they may have some learning difficulties, might have less firm muscles (decreased tone or whats called floppy baby syndrome)
      I hope i have answered your question; dont hestitate to ask if not clear
      regards

    • Photo: Peter Nguhiu

      Peter Nguhiu answered on 5 Jul 2017:


      Thanks for your question. Bernard has covered this exceptionally well, and I can’t add much more. Here’s a link to read more about this condition (Jacob’s syndrome) https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/xyy-syndrome/

      Key thing to note is, studies are showing that XYY syndrome individuals are not necessarily overly aggressive or ‘super-male’. Many such boys (they always possess male features) lead a normal healthy life.

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