SEX CHROMATIN FREQUENCY IN BUCCAL MUCOSA CELLS AMONG BENGALEE HINDU FEMALES OF WEST BENGAL, INDIA

Sažetak

INTRODUCTION: Quantitative determination of sex chromatin in cell nuclei has been demonstrated an association
between the prevalence of sex chromatin and hormonal levels of female reproductive cycles.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to understand the prevalence of sex chromatin among different hormone
dependent reproductive stages of Bengalee Hindu caste females living in West Bengal, India.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Buccal smear samples were collected from 500 apparently healthy female participants categorized
into 5 different reproductive stages of pre-menarche, menarche, pregnancy, lactation, and menopause. 100 cells
from each individual and 100 participants from each group have been studied at random.
RESULTS: The result revealed a differential prevalence of sex chromatin among the participants at different reproductive
stages (ranges <10->60). The mean prevalence of sex chromatin was highest among lactating mothers (59. 22±4. 06) and
lowest among pre-menarcheal females (14. 09±3. 34). Mean difference among all reproductive stages was found significant
(p<0. 05).
CONCLUSION: These results indicated a possible association between the presence of steroid hormones and the prevalence
of sex chromatin. The present study also proposed sex chromatin incidence as a biomarker as well as a cytological
marker of distinctive hormone-influenced reproductive phases of females.