Three cases of intersexuality in dogs

Authors: Woods S, Barnard A, Coles J, Gunn A, Stephen C, Ryder E, Goldin J, Jermyn K, Raidal SR
Publication: Australian Veterinary Practitioner, Volume 50, Issue 2, pp 101-105, Jun 2020
Publisher: Australian Veterinary Association

Animal type: Dog
Subject Terms: Animal remedies/veterinary medicines, Pathology, Reproduction
Article class: Clinical Report

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Abstract:

The present paper describes the pathological findings of the reproductive tracts of two 6-month-old Staffordshire bull terriers that were neutered at separate veterinary clinics in Wagga Wagga and a 7-month-old Shetland sheepdog that was neutered in Melbourne. Case 1 was recognised as abnormal by its owner at 2 months of age, as the dog had a phallus protruding from its vulva. The other two dogs were considered by their owners to be normal bitches. During ovariohysterectomy, all dogs presented with small uteri, and gonads that grossly appeared more like testes than ovaries. Histological examination of the gonads from Case 1 revealed well-developed seminiferous tubules with rare germ cells in lumina. There was a primitive, convoluted epididymis attached to one testis. In Cases 2 and 3, there were similar testicular gonadal tissues with pseudo-uterine horns consistent with retention of the paramesonephric ducts. The pathology in of all of these cases was consistent with a primary genetic intersex disorder, with Cases 2 and 3 also exhibiting persistent Müllerian ducts.

Disorders of sexual development occur due to aberrations at the chromosomal, gonadal and/or phenotypic level. Differentiation between these can be assisted by genetic profiling, such as karyotyping, and histopathology. These disorders have a low incidence in clinical practice, however, due to the complex pathway of sexual development there can be many different presentations. Case descriptions such as these can be of great benefit to clinicians when they are performing routine surgery and are faced with an unexpected presentation.

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