GENETIC-ANALYSIS OF 38XX MALES WITH GENITAL AMBIGUITIES AND TRUE HERMAPHRODITES IN PIGS

In pig, the frequency of intersexuality ranges from 0.1 to 0.6%, depen ding on the breed. In a. closed pig herd at INRA an intersex condition was observed in 0.75% of 'females'. The present study describes 11 an imals with a 38XX karyotype and the presence of testicular tissue. Phe notypically, all presented with abnormal external or/and internal geni talia. Southern blot analysis with Y-specific probes (SRY and ZFY) rev ealed the absence of Y material in all animals tested. By polymerase c hain reaction (PCR) amplification; 10 of 11 intersex pigs lacked the S RY gene in gonad DNA. These data are compatible with an autosomally (o r pseudoautosomally) determined mechanism. Moreover, analysis of famil ial cases seemed to indicate that 38XX male pseudohermaprodites and 38 XX true hermaphrodites may represent alternative manifestations of the same genetic defect.