title: Reliability of sexual dimorphism in blood.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Demonstration of sex chromatin forms an important aspect of human genetics. It also establishes the interrelationship between sex chromatin and an inactive X-chromosome. The term "sex chromatin" in blood refers to the "Drumsticks of polymorphonuclear leukocytes" or "Davidson's bodies".
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This correlative study evaluates the presence of these drumsticks quantitatively and also highlights the concept of blood chimaerism in humans.
  
  
  METHODS
  Leishman-stained peripheral blood smears from 60 individuals (30 males and 30 females) were obtained and studied under bright-field microscope (40X) for presence of Drumstick appendages.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  On comparing mean numbers of Davidson's bodies in females and males, an extremely significant correlation (P < 0.0001) was seen. Hence, it could be surmised that the presence of appendages in neutrophils (Drumstick bodies) can be useful in gender differentiation.
authors.forename: Shailja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chatterjee
mesh_terms: D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012728:Sex Chromatin / Q000648:ultrastructure