can down syndrome individuals reproduce?

Question

i read in a book that their reproductive organs do not develope properly, therefore this disease cannot be inherited.
what does this sentence mean? they can have kids but, the kids are normal? if the organs don't develope, aren't they infertile?
(confused)......

Answer 1

That depends on how severe is his/her case. In some cases, these individuals can reproduce but of course there is genetic defects sandwiched in between. In this disease, there is abnormal (more) number of chromosomes in the genes. Anyways, there are a lot of factors causing a person to not to be able to reproduce. Example, the activeness of the sperm cells (those so called slow swimmers and fast swimmers). These people with down syndrome have fertility defects. With only rare exceptions, males with Down syndrome are infertile due to decreased production of sperm. Women with Down syndrome have decreased fertility, but some have been know to reproduce.
Most cases of Down syndrome are not inherited, but occur as random events during the formation of reproductive cells (eggs and sperm). An error in cell division called nondisjunction results in reproductive cells with an abnormal number of chromosomes. For example, an egg or sperm cell may gain an extra copy of chromosome 21. If one of these atypical reproductive cells contributes to the genetic makeup of a child, the child will have an extra chromosome 21 in each of the body’s cells.

Mosaic Down syndrome is also not inherited. It occurs as a random error during cell division early in fetal development. As a result, some of the body’s cells have the usual two copies of chromosome 21, and other cells have three copies of the chromosome.

Translocation Down syndrome can be inherited. An unaffected person can carry a rearrangement of genetic material between chromosome 21 and another chromosome. This rearrangement is called a balanced translocation because there is no extra material from chromosome 21. Although they do not have signs of Down syndrome, people who carry this type of balanced translocation are at an increased risk of having children with the condition.

Another thing is... the reproduction of these individuals depends on the finding of a suitable mate. I guess this is true for everyone as well. LOL! ciao!

Answer 2

Down syndrome is caused by an extra chromosome, which is almost always passed on purely by chance (by parents who don't have it, that is).

People with Down Syndrome usually have normal functioning genitals! Men usually have a very low sperm count though and almost never father children. A woman with DS can have a baby though, and the baby will have a 50% chance of getting the extra chromosome from her mother and having Down syndrome.

You don't have to carry any gene to have a baby with Down syndrome - it is random - except in one rare case that happens in less than 1%.

There is lots and lots of bad information in old books about Down syndrome. Make sure your sources are current. Same goes for what people tell you.

Answer 3

you may want to get a different book if you had to look up the answer in the first place it could mean that you also have downs as far as i know most can reproduce and it is not an inherited "disease"



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Answer 4

Yes they can reproduce. Whether or not the genes carrying the syndrome, will be inherited, is the question.

Answer 5

If their sex organs are not fully developed and functional, they CANNOT have kids.

Answer 6

Ha ha, when you are done reading your scientific books, you let me know if someone with down syndrome has a chance in hell of getting laid.

Answer 7

not trying to be mean or anything, but i think if thats true its probably a good thing - for the safety of the newborn and life of the sufferers.