What is the Difference Between Barr Body and Davidson Body?

Barr bodies and Davidson bodies are both types of sex chromatins found in females. The key differences between them are:

• Location: Barr bodies are present in somatic cells, while Davidson bodies are present in leukocytes.
• Appearance: Barr bodies are condensed and inactivated X chromosomes in somatic cells, while Davidson bodies are nonspecific drumstick appendages in neutrophil nuclear lobes.
• Detection: Barr bodies are generally identified in buccal smear, while Davidson bodies are identified in blood smear.

Both Barr bodies and Davidson bodies can be used for morphological gender determination. However, Davidson bodies in blood smear are highly specific when compared to Barr bodies in buccal smear, making morphological gender determination using Davidson bodies in hematopathology easier, more reliable, less time-consuming, and cost-effective.

Comparative Table: Barr Body vs Davidson Body

Here is a table comparing the differences between Barr bodies and Davidson bodies:

Barr bodies are condensed and inactivated X chromosomes of somatic cells, while Davidson bodies are nonspecific drumstick appendages in neutrophil nuclear lobes. Both Barr bodies and Davidson bodies are present only in females and can be used for sex determination.