populations , with a case report . males in two juvenile court Cytogenetic survey of XYY

The XYY anomaly has been recognized since 1961 (Dunn et al, 1961; Sandberg et al, 1961), but in contrast to other sex chromosome aneuploidies, no consistent clinical syndrome associated with it has emerged. The phenotypes are wide ranging, but generally are tall normal males. Most interest in the syndrome has centred on the possibility that abnormal behaviour may be an associated feature. The first suggestions of behavioural implications of an extra Y chromosome were made following a sex chromatin survey of 942 retarded antisocial male inmates (mean IQ 77-3) at Rampton and Moss Side (Casey et al, 1966). The frequency of the XXYY karyotype (0-74%/) was strikingly high. This finding led Jacobs et al (1967/1968) to survey cytogenetically a similar retarded, antisocial population institutionalized at Carstairs. Their survey yielded 9 patients with XYY, one with XXYY, and one mosaic XX/XY/XYY among 315 patients, an incidence ofY aneuploidy of 3-5%. Jacobs' findings implicated an association between Y aneuploidy and antisocial behaviour. Examination of the population of XYY males at Carstairs revealed an onset of criminal behaviour at an earlier age than their XY controls (Price and Whatmore, 1967). Thus it seemed possible that juvenile court populations might contain an increased concentration ofXYY males. Accordingly, 2 juvenile court populations were surveyed cytogenetically. Results of this survey are presented, as well as a court-referred case of anXYY male.