Male DNA in DNA Extracted From Peripheral Blood Mononuclear cells of Women With at Least one son
| . | Y-PCR Positive (%) . | P Value v SSc Patients . |
|---|---|---|
| Normal women | 31 (11/35) | P = .042 |
| SSc sisters | 38 (5/13) | P = .23 |
| SSc patients | 60 (12/20) | — |
| Controls combined (normals plus SSc sisters) | 33 (16/48) | P = .046 |
| . | Y-PCR Positive (%) . | P Value v SSc Patients . |
|---|---|---|
| Normal women | 31 (11/35) | P = .042 |
| SSc sisters | 38 (5/13) | P = .23 |
| SSc patients | 60 (12/20) | — |
| Controls combined (normals plus SSc sisters) | 33 (16/48) | P = .046 |
Results of testing DNA extracted from PBMC for a Y chromosome–specific sequence are summarized for 68 women; 35 normal healthy women, 13 healthy sisters of SSc patients (one patient contributed two sisters), and 20 women with SSc. All subjects had previously given birth to a male child. Many women had also given birth to daughters and some women had history of prior pregnancy loss.