A study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology discovered female recipients from deceased male donors had an increased risk of rejection in the first year following a kidney transplant, but noted the risk did not increased after ten years. Researchers believe proteins found in male donor cells, called H-Y antigens, may affect the short term success of kidney transplants in women.
 
H-Y antigens, found only in the male chromosome, may cause an immune response in women who receive transplants from deceased male donors. Compared with all other sex combinations, female recipients of male donor kidneys had a 12 percent increased risk for transplant failure at one year. Women who received male donor kidneys also exhibited an increased risk of death in the first year, but no increased risk at ten years.
 
Researchers noted there are numerous factors that contribute to the success of kidney transplants and transplanting male kidneys into female recipients often produces excellent outcomes. Many important factors should be taken into account when considering transplant options.

This article originally appeared in the August 2009 issue of Kidney Transplant Today.