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Related Experiment Videos

Studies on a sheep freemartin.

P R Wilkes, I B Munro, W V Wijeratne

    The Veterinary Record
    |February 18, 1978
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    This study describes a rare case of intersexuality in a Dorset horn ewe, identified as a freemartin due to its mixed chromosomal makeup and reproductive anatomy. This finding highlights the complexities of freemartinism in sheep.

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    Area of Science:

    • Veterinary Science
    • Reproductive Biology
    • Genetics

    Background:

    • Intersexuality, characterized by ambiguous sexual development, can occur in various animal species.
    • Freemartinism is a common form of pseudohermaphroditism in cattle, resulting from shared placental circulation between male and female fetuses.
    • While less common, freemartinism has been reported in other domestic animals, including sheep.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To describe a unique case of intersexuality in a Dorset horn ewe.
    • To investigate the underlying genetic and anatomical basis of the intersex condition.
    • To discuss the implications of this case for understanding freemartinism in sheep.

    Main Methods:

    • Detailed anatomical examination of the reproductive organs.

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  • Chromosomal analysis (karyotyping) of peripheral leukocytes and other tissues.
  • Review of the animal's birth history and litter composition.

    • Main Results:

    • The ewe exhibited female external genitalia but possessed male internal reproductive organs, including testes and seminal vesicles.
    • Peripheral leukocytes showed chromosomal chimerism (54, XX/54, XY), while other tissues had a normal female karyotype (54, XX).
    • The ewe was part of a triplet set with two male siblings, suggesting a shared placental circulation.

    Conclusions:

    • The Dorset horn ewe was diagnosed as a freemartin, a condition typically arising from vascular anastomosis between male and female fetuses.
    • This case underscores the occurrence and significance of freemartinism in sheep, contributing to the understanding of reproductive anomalies in livestock.