A Clinical Case of an <b><i>SRY</i></b>-Positive Intersex/Hermaphrodite Holstein Cattle

Abstract

A single-born, 15-month-old Holstein cattle, diagnosed as hermaphrodite, was investigated for estrous cycle, hormonal profiles, karyotype, presence of SRY, as well as anatomopathological and histological aspects. Normal continuous estrous cycles and basal testosterone levels were reported. Necropsy showed the presence of a female genital tract that mismatched a vulvar opening and a male pelvic urethra continued within a penis. Moreover, we observed islands of seminiferous tubules with the presence of germline cells, 2 pampiniform plexi, the corpus cavernosum, the penile urethra, the corpus spongiosum and the glans. Cytogenetic analyses of the blood cells showed an XX karyotype, while the molecular analyses revealed the presence of the SRY gene in several tissues, including blood. This is the first report in the scientific literature of an SRY-positive hermaphrodite Holstein cattle with continuous ovarian cycles.

The study of a hermaphroditic sheep caused by a mutation in the promoter of SRY gene

“…Hence, pathogenic mutation of the SRY gene is able to sexually reverse male to female or stimulate simultaneous creation of both testicular and ovarian tissue ( McClelland et al., 2012 ). In corroboration of this notion, mutation specially in SRY gene has been recognized to be responsible for hermaphroditism in goat and cattle ( Pailhoux et al., 2001 ; Bresciani et al., 2015 ).…”

“…Although DSDs have been reported in human as well as farm animals, data associated with incidence of DSDs indicate that these conditions are rare and the total occurrence of DSDs is estimated at 1 in 5500 in animal ( Bashamboo & McElreavey, 2016 ; Sax, 2002 ). In this context, hermaphroditism has been reported in ewe ( Smith et al., 1996 ; Fayrer-Hosken et al., 1992 ), goat ( Pailhoux et al., 2001 )) and cattle ( Bresciani et al., 2015 ). Yet there is limited information about DSDs in wild species ( Birk et al., 2000 ; Mastromonaco et al., 2012 ).…”

Congenital Malformations in River Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

“…In domestic animals sex reversal disorders are rare and described in horses [ 84 , 85 , 86 ], cattle [ 87 ], pigs [ 88 ], dogs [ 89 ], and cats [ 90 ]. Up to now, in river buffalo only the XY female condition in two MIRBs with female external genitalia and some phenotypic male traits [ 7 ] has been reported.…”