A historical background and development
Klinefelter, Henry. "A Historical Background and Development."
Southern Medical Journal, Volume 79, No. 9, September 1986.
ABSTRACT: When described more than 40 years ago, Klinefelter’s syndrome (small
testes, sterility, increased excretion of follicle-stimulating hormone, and usually
gynecomastia) was thought to be an endocrine disorder. A second testicular hormone was
postulated but has never been isolated. During the ensuing years, the syndrome has been
found to be a chromosomal disorder, in which there is an extra X chromosome in 80% of
the patients. The disorder occurs once in 500 to 1,000 male births and is best diagnosed
by a buccal smear. When there is androgen deficiency, it is treated with testosterone.
Gynecomastia is treated surgically because of the potential danger of malignancy or for
cosmetic reasons.
5 pages.