Freemartinism in a captive herd of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis)

J Wildl Dis. 1992 Jul;28(3):494-8. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-28.3.494.

Abstract

Freemartinism in two animals from a captive herd of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) at the Denver Zoological Gardens (Denver, Colorado, USA) is described. A young ewe had female external genitalia, a masculine appearance, and demonstrated male behavior as she matured. Another ewe with female external genitalia died as a yearling. Necropsy revealed a non-patent vagina and internal male genitalia. Both females were chimeric with karyotypes containing XX and XY sex chromosomes.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Zoo
  • Chimera
  • Female
  • Freemartinism / genetics
  • Freemartinism / pathology*
  • Karyotyping / veterinary
  • Male
  • Sex Chromosomes*
  • Sheep
  • Sheep Diseases / genetics
  • Sheep Diseases / pathology*