| Congenital eunuchism and Favorinus. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 12564336 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Ancient Hebrew literature as well as the New Testament differentiate between castrated eunuchs and congenital eunuchs. Congenital eunuchism is very rare today, and assuming that this was also the case in classical times, we investigated possible reasons why congenital eunuchs feature prominently. We discuss the probability that the concept 'congenital eunuchism' might in ancient times have included effeminate men who, according to cultural views on 'maleness' and androgyny, were almost equated with eunuchs. The causes of congenital hypogonadism are reviewed in order to attempt clarification of the condition of Favorinus, a congenital eunuch in the second century AD. We suggest that although he might have been a true hermaphrodite, as suggested by some authors, it is more likely that he had one of the following conditions: functional prepubertal castrate syndrome, testicular gonadotrophin insensitivity, selective gonadotrophin deficiency or Reifenstein's syndrome. |
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Authors:
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F P Retief; J F G Cilliers |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Biography; Historical Article; Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
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Title: South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde Volume: 93 ISSN: 0256-9574 ISO Abbreviation: S. Afr. Med. J. Publication Date: 2003 Jan |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2003-02-04 Completed Date: 2003-02-21 Revised Date: 2004-11-17 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0404520 Medline TA: S Afr Med J Country: South Africa |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 73-6 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Department of English and Classical Culture, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein. |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome
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history Eunuchism / congenital*, history* France Hermaphroditism / history History, Ancient Humans Hypogonadism / congenital, history Male Philosophy / history Roman World / history |
| Personal Name Subject | |
Personal Name Subject:
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Favorinus |
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