Testicular feminization in a cat

J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1989 Sep 1;195(5):631-4.

Abstract

Testicular feminization, caused by an inherited defect of the androgen receptor, was diagnosed in a domestic cat. Individuals affected with this syndrome are genetic males that have testes but fail to undergo masculinization because the internal and external genitalia cannot respond to androgens. The affected cat had the external appearance of a sexually normal female, but during surgery for ovariohysterectomy, only 2 abdominal gonads were found. Müllerian (uterus) or wolffian (epididymides) derivatives were not present. Only testicular tissue was found in histologic sections of the gonad. A normal male chromosome constitution (38,XY) was found in karyotypes prepared from lymphocyte cultures. High affinity binding of dihydrotestosterone was undetectable in fibroblasts cultured from genital skin of the affected cat, indicating that the cytosolic androgen receptor was nonfunctional. Pedigree analysis indicates that this is an X-linked disorder in cats, as it is in other mammals. Accurate diagnosis and genetic counseling are advocated to reduce the prevalence of the disorder.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome / genetics
  • Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome / surgery
  • Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome / veterinary*
  • Animals
  • Cat Diseases / genetics
  • Cat Diseases / surgery*
  • Cats
  • Female
  • Fibroblasts
  • Humans
  • Karyotyping
  • Male
  • Pedigree
  • Testis / abnormalities*
  • Vagina / abnormalities