File:Mild androgen insensitivity syndrome.jpg

Mild androgen insensitivity syndrome (MAIS) presenting with a mild impairment of virilization in a 23-year-old man.

Pinsky L, Kaufman M, Killinger DW, Opitz JM, Reynolds JF. Impaired spermatogenesis is not an obligate expression of receptor-defective androgen resistance. Am J Med Genet. 1989;32:100-104.

Mild androgen insensitivity syndrome

Single image from an article in a medical journal.

Resolution of this image will not affect journal subscriptions (i.e. revenue).

This image illustrates the hallmarks of mild androgen insensitivity syndrome: virilization (body hair, etc.) is impaired in this 23-year old man, but genital masculinization has taken place normally. This image also serves to illustrate the subtle presentation of MAIS, making it clear that seemingly "normal" men can have MAIS.

MAIS is so rare that its true incidence is unknown, although it is thought to occur less frequently that PAIS, which is estimated to occur in approximately once every 100,000 births. This particular image is the only image I have ever seen of the body of an individual with confirmed MAIS, making this photograph exceedingly rare, and very unlikely that it can be replaced. It is also worthy to note that this subject is sensitive, and calls for medical quality photography.

Sources that describe MAIS and its rarity include: (1:) Zuccarello D, Ferlin A, Vinanzi C, Prana E, Garolla A, Callewaert L, Claessens F, Brinkmann AO, Foresta C. Detailed functional studies on androgen receptor mild mutations demonstrate their association with male infertility. Clin Endocrionol. 2008;68:580-588. (2:) Ferlin A, Vinanzi C, Garolla A, Selice R, Zuccarello D, Cazzadore C, Foresta C. Male infertility and androgen receptor gene mutations: clinical features and identification of seven novel mutations. Clin Endocrinol. 2006;65:606–610. (3:) Hughes I, Deeb A. Androgen resistance. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006;20:577-598.