Intersexuality with associated mammary gland stimulation in the rat

Abstract

Spontaneous intersexuality in an adult rat, thought to be genetically male, has been described. Both male and female primordia developed concurrently and most components of each were retained with normal adult characteristics. Gonadal and hypophyseal hormones in this specimen stimulated ductal and lobulo-alveolar proliferation simulating that of the mammary gland during lactation.

Hermaphroditism in a Sprague-Dawley Rat

“…In the mammary gland, ductal and alveolar proliferation was abundant. Persistent estrus and excessive mammary gland stimulation have been reported previously 3,8. The presence of stratified squamous epithelium in the uterus and keratinized lining of the vagina in this animal is consistent with hyperestrinism (estrus).…”

“…Persistent estrus and excessive mammary gland stimulation have been reported previously. 3, 8 The presence of stratified squamous epithelium in the uterus and keratinized lining of the vagina in this animal is consistent with hyperestrinism (estrus). An enlarged clitoris with an osseous core was observed upon further examination of the formalinfixed external genitalia (Fig.…”

“…This condition is very rare in rats. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] As in this report, most rats with true hermaphroditism are phenotypically female.…”

A TRUE HERMAPHRODITIC RAT (<i>RATTUS NORVEGICUS</i>) WITH 41, X/42, XYq^- COMPLEMENT

“…While spontaneous true hermaphroditism has infrequently been described (Burrill et al 1941;Greep 1942;Arey and Greene 1957;Bradbury and Bunge 1958;Maibenco et al 1963), no cytogenetic investigation has so far been done in them. It was shown that in most hermaphroditic rats, at least one ovotestes was present, both male and female primordia concurrently developed, and that most of the reproductive organs attained adult characteristics.…”