Cyp19 expression and sex change timing in captive-bred false clownfish / Expressão de Cyp19 e o período da mudança de sexo em peixes-palhaço falsos criados em cativeiro

The false clown anemonefish (Amphiprion ocellaris) is a protandrous hermaphrodite with a distinctive reproductive behavior. This study elucidates the genetic mechanisms and timing of sex changes in captive-bred A. ocellaris by examining the expression of key genes involved in this process, specifically cyp19a1a and cyp19a1b. Gonadal histological analyses and gene expression studies were conducted on subadult fish paired for 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 16 months. Our findings reveal that alterations in cyp19 gene expression coincide with a pairing period starting after 3 months. Both cyp19a1a and cyp19a1b expression levels were significantly elevated in paired females compared with their male counterparts and unpaired controls. Histological investigations demonstrated that sex conversion to females occurred during the 3-month pairing period. This study highlights the crucial role of cyp19a1a and cyp19a1b in the sex change process of A. ocellaris and indicates that a minimum of 5 months of pairing is necessary for completing the sex change.

O peixe-palhaço falso (Amphiprion ocellaris) é um hermafrodita protândrico com um comportamento reprodutivo distintivo. Este estudo esclarece os mecanismos genéticos e o período das mudanças de sexo em A. ocellaris criados em cativeiro, examinando a expressão de genes-chave envolvidos nesse processo, especificamente cyp19a1a e cyp19a1b. Análises histológicas gonadais e estudos de expressão gênica foram conduzidos em peixes subadultos emparelhados por 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 e 16 meses. Os resultados revelam que alterações na expressão do gene cyp19 coincidem com um período de emparelhamento a partir de 3 meses. Os níveis de expressão de cyp19a1a e cyp19a1b foram significativamente elevados em fêmeas emparelhadas em comparação com seus homólogos masculinos e controles não-emparelhados. Investigações histológicas demonstraram que a conversão sexual para fêmeas ocorreu durante o período de emparelhamento de 3 meses. Este estudo destaca o papel crucial de cyp19a1a e cyp19a1b no processo de mudança de sexo de A. ocellaris e indica que um mínimo de 5 meses de emparelhamento é necessário para concluir a mudança de sexo.

Occurrence of intersexuality in Mugil curema from an estuary of the North coast of Santa Catarina, Brazil - case report / Ocorrência de intersexualidade em Mugil curema em estuário do litoral norte catarinense, Brasil - relato de caso

This study describes the occurrence of reproductive changes in a mullet (Mugil curema) from the Babibtonga Bay, Santa Catarina. Gross and microscopic findings indicated changes in the reproductive system that were characterized by the presence of both male and female gonads, nearing sexual maturity, which was compatible with the diagnosis of intersex. It was not possible to identify predisposing factors that may have contributed to the development of this condition. However, as this species of fish may have their reproductive development affected by anthropogenic influence, it is important to permanently monitor this kind of environment. Considering the number of fish belonging to this species that was examined (n=433), the estimated prevalence for intersexuality was 0.23% (confidence interval: 0.00 to 0.68%, with confidence level of 95%). The findings in this study support the diagnosis of intersexuality in M. curema from the Babitonga Bay, which is the first documented case of this condition in this species on the coast of Santa Catarina, Brazil.

Este estudo descreve a ocorrência de alteração reprodutiva em peixe da espécie Mugil curema, procedente da Baía da Babitonga, Santa Catarina. Macro e microscopicamente, foi identificada alteração no sistema reprodutivo, caracterizada pela presença de gônadas masculina e feminina, próximas da maturidade sexual, caracterizando um caso de intersexo. Não foi possível determinar os fatores que possam ter contribuído para o desenvolvimento dessa alteração reprodutiva, porém, como a espécie animal pode ter suas características de vida e reprodutiva influenciadas pela ação antrópica, é importante um estudo contínuo desses peixes nesse ambiente. Considerando o número de peixes dessa espécie que foram examinados (n=433), a prevalência estimada de intersexualidade foi de 0,23% (intervalo de confiança: 0,00 a 0,68%, com nível de confiança de 95%). Os achados deste estudo suportam o diagnóstico de intersexualidade em M. curema proveniente da Baía da Babitonga, sendo o primeiro caso documentado dessa condição nessa espécie na costa de Santa Catarina, Brasil.

Hypospadias in two cats: case report / Hipospadia em dois gatos: relato de caso

Hypospadias is an uncommon sexual development disorder in cats, in which the urethral opening is not in its anatomical location on the penis. The purpose of this report is to describe two cases of hypospadias in the feline species. The first cat was asymptomatic, had a history of bacterial cystitis, and was diagnosed with perineal hypospadias at an appointment for preoperative evaluation of orchiectomy. The second cat had clinical signs of dysuria and pollakiuria for 30 days and had glandular hypospadias. Both cats showed abnormalities in the urinalysis which were suggestive of lower urinary tract disease. For both cases, clinical treatment with antibiotic therapy was performed. In the first patient, surgical treatment consisted of orchiectomy, while in the second animal a perineal urethrostomy and orchiectomy were performed. The cats had a satisfactory recovery after the treatments. Performing a thorough physical examination is essential to diagnose cases of hypospadias and choose the best treatment for each patient.

A hipospadia é uma desordem do desenvolvimento sexual pouco comum nos gatos, na qual a abertura uretral não está em sua localização anatômica do pênis. O objetivo do presente relato é descrever dois casos de hipospadia em felinos domésticos. O primeiro gato era assintomático, tinha histórico de cistite bacteriana prévio, e foi diagnosticado com hipospadia perineal em uma consulta para avaliação pré-cirúrgica de orquiectomia. O segundo gato apresentava sinais clínicos de disúria e polaquiúria há 30 dias e apresentava hipospadia glandular. A partir dos exames complementares, pôde-se observar que os animais, além do defeito anatômico, apresentavam alterações sugestivas de doença do trato urinário inferior. Para ambos os casos, foi realizado o tratamento clínico inicial com antibioticoterapia. No primeiro paciente, optou-se pelo procedimento de orquiectomia, enquanto no segundo animal foram realizadas as técnicas de uretrostomia perineal e orquiectomia. Os gatos mostraram recuperação satisfatória após os tratamentos instituídos. Dessa forma, pode-se observar a importância de se realizar um exame físico minucioso a fim de diagnosticar os casos de hipospadia e escolher o tratamento correto para cada paciente.

Hermafroditismo verdadeiro na espécie suína / True hermaphroditism in the swine specie

Os hermafroditas verdadeiros são animais com intersexualidade, nos quais as gônadas masculinas e femininas se desenvolvem simultaneamente no mesmo indivíduo. Este trabalho relata um caso de hermafrodita na espécie suína após descarte de uma fêmea por diagnóstico de anestro. Tratava-se de uma fêmea com 222 dias de idade e 150 kg a qual havia sido selecionada para reprodução e permanecia em anestro. O indivíduo foi descartado e enviado para o abate em frigorífico sob inspeção federal. Após o abate foi observado no sistema genital aspectos anatômicos sugestivos de hermafroditismo. O sistema genital foi coletado, inspecionado macroscopicamente e conservado em formol a 10% para avaliação microscópica. Durante a análise macroscópica foi verificada a presença de vulva e vagina, contendo um pênis rudimentar. O útero, a cérvix, os cornos uterinos e oviduto estavam presentes e com ausência de anormalidade. Havia um ovário esquerdo com aspectos morfológicos de ciclicidade e folículos contendo oócitos de alta qualidade. À direita, entretanto, foi constatada a presença de um testículo, epidídimo e plexo pampiniforme. A avaliação histopatológica comprovou os achados macroscópicos, demonstrando um ovário contendo folículos, corpos lúteos e cistos foliculares; plexo pampiniforme; testículo e epidídimo com aspecto histológico normal, porém, com ausência de células espermatogênicas. Assim, com base nos achados macro e microscópicos descritos nesse relato de caso, o indivíduo foi considerado como hermafrodita verdadeiro.(AU)

True hermaphrodites are intersexual animals, in which both male and female gonads develop simultaneously in the same individual. This paper reports a case of a true hermaphrodite in the swine species after its culling for anestrus. The specimen was a female of 222 days of age and 150 kg of body weight, that was selected for reproduction and was permanently in anestrus. This individual was culled and sent to an abattoir under federal inspection. After slaughtering, it was observed in the reproductive tract anatomical aspects that suggested hermaphroditism. The reproductive tract was collected, evaluated macroscopically, and preserved in formaldehyde at 10 % to be evaluated by light microscopy. During the macroscopic analysis, the presence of a vulva and a vagina with a rudimentary penis was detected. The uterus, the cervix, uterine horns, and the oviduct were present and abnormalities were not detected. The left ovary exhibited morphological signs of cyclicity and contained follicles with high quality oocytes. On the right side, however, it was observed a testicle, epididymis, and a pampiniform plexus. The histopathological assessment corroborated the macroscopic findings, which demonstrated that the ovary had follicles, corpus luteum, and follicular cysts, and pampiniform plexus, testicle and epididymis were histologically normal, though with the absence of spermatogenic cells. Thus, based on the macro and microscopic findings described herein, the individual was considered a true hermaphrodite.(AU)

Pseudo-hermafroditismo masculino em caprino (Capra aegagrus hircus Linnaeus, 1758). Relato de caso / Male pseudo-hermafroditism in goat (Capra aegagrus hircus Linnaeus, 1758). Case report / Pseudo-hermafroditismo masculino en caprino (Capra aegagrus hircus Linnaeus, 1758). Reporte de caso

Anomalias de intersexo são relatadas em diversas espécies animais. Tal fato resulta de falhas durante o desenvolvimento embrionário e fetal, originando animais hermafroditas verdadeiros e pseudo-hermafroditas. Com este trabalho objetivou-se relatar um caso de pseudo- hermafroditismo masculino em caprino ocorrido no município de Manaus – AM. Devido ao crescimento da pecuária no relacionada ao segmento correspondente a criação de caprinos, torna-se essencial para o sucesso da atividade que falhas no manejo reprodutivo sejam corrigidas haja visto que a ocorrência de intersexualidade em caprinos está relacionada principalmente ao caráter mocho dos animais ligados a fatores hereditários. O presente trabalho relata o caso de um caprino mocho, que apresentava- se ao exame clínico, morfologicamente como sendo do sexo feminino, com presença de estrutura vulvar anormal. Ao realizar o estudo anatômico, através da dissecação das estruturas, observou-se órgãos que se assemelhavam tanto aos femininos quanto aos masculinos, com presença de testículos intra-abdominal e órgão apresentando-se semelhante ao útero. Para a correta identificação destes órgãos efetuaram-se estudos histológicos, com a identificação correta e características de cada segmento analisado. De acordo com as estruturas encontradas foi possível diagnosticar o animal como tratando-se de um caso de pseudo-hermafroditismo masculino.

Intersex anomalies have been conducted in several animal species. This fact results from failures during embryonic and fetal development, resulting in true hermaphrodites animals and pseudo-hermaphrodites. This study aimed to report a case of pseudo-hermaphroditism male in goats occurred in the city of Manaus - AM. Due to the growth of livestock farming in related to the corresponding segment goat rearing, it is essential to the success of the activity that failures in reproductive management are corrected given the fact that the occurrence of intersexuality in goats is mainly related to the owl character of animals linked to hereditary factors. This paper reports the case of a goat owl, which proved to clinical examination, morphologically as being female, with the presence of abnormal vulvar structure. Upon anatomical study by dissecting the structures, there was bodies that resembled both to women as to men, with the presence of testicles in the abdomen and body presenting similar to the uterus. For the correct identification of these bodies is effected histological, studies with proper identification and characteristics of each segment analyzed. According to the structures found it was possible to diagnose the animal as in the case of a case of male pseudo-hermaphroditism.

Se informan anomalías de la intersexualidad en varias especies animales. Este hecho resulta de fallas durante el desarrollo embrionario y fetal, dando origen a verdaderos animales hermafroditas y pseudohermafroditas. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo reportar un caso de pseudohermafroditismo masculino en cabras que ocurrió en la ciudad de Manaus - AM. Debido al crecimiento de la ganadería en relación al segmento correspondiente a la cría de cabras, es fundamental para el éxito de la actividad que se corrijan las fallas en el manejo reproductivo ya que la ocurrencia de intersexualidad en cabras se relaciona principalmente con el carácter búho de los animales vinculados a factores hereditarios. El presente trabajo reporta el caso de una cabra búho, que se presentó al examen clínico, morfológicamente como hembra, con la presencia de una estructura vulvar anormal. Al realizar el estudio anatómico, mediante la disección de las estructuras, se observaron órganos que se asemejaban tanto a órganos femeninos como masculinos, con presencia de testículos intraabdominales y un órgano similar al útero. Para la correcta identificación de estos órganos se realizaron estudios histológicos, con la correcta identificación y características de cada segmento analizado. Según las estructuras encontradas, fue posible diagnosticar al animal como un caso de pseudohermafroditismo masculino.

Pseudo-hermafroditismo masculino em caprino (Capra aegagrus hircus Linnaeus, 1758). Relato de caso / Male pseudo-hermafroditism in goat (Capra aegagrus hircus Linnaeus, 1758). Case report / Pseudo-hermafroditismo masculino en caprino (Capra aegagrus hircus Linnaeus, 1758). Reporte de caso

Anomalias de intersexo são relatadas em diversas espécies animais. Tal fato resulta de falhas durante o desenvolvimento embrionário e fetal, originando animais hermafroditas verdadeiros e pseudo-hermafroditas. Com este trabalho objetivou-se relatar um caso de pseudo- hermafroditismo masculino em caprino ocorrido no município de Manaus AM. Devido ao crescimento da pecuária no relacionada ao segmento correspondente a criação de caprinos, torna-se essencial para o sucesso da atividade que falhas no manejo reprodutivo sejam corrigidas haja visto que a ocorrência de intersexualidade em caprinos está relacionada principalmente ao caráter mocho dos animais ligados a fatores hereditários. O presente trabalho relata o caso de um caprino mocho, que apresentava- se ao exame clínico, morfologicamente como sendo do sexo feminino, com presença de estrutura vulvar anormal. Ao realizar o estudo anatômico, através da dissecação das estruturas, observou-se órgãos que se assemelhavam tanto aos femininos quanto aos masculinos, com presença de testículos intra-abdominal e órgão apresentando-se semelhante ao útero. Para a correta identificação destes órgãos efetuaram-se estudos histológicos, com a identificação correta e características de cada segmento analisado. De acordo com as estruturas encontradas foi possível diagnosticar o animal como tratando-se de um caso de pseudo-hermafroditismo masculino.(AU)

Intersex anomalies have been conducted in several animal species. This fact results from failures during embryonic and fetal development, resulting in true hermaphrodites animals and pseudo-hermaphrodites. This study aimed to report a case of pseudo-hermaphroditism male in goats occurred in the city of Manaus - AM. Due to the growth of livestock farming in related to the corresponding segment goat rearing, it is essential to the success of the activity that failures in reproductive management are corrected given the fact that the occurrence of intersexuality in goats is mainly related to the owl character of animals linked to hereditary factors. This paper reports the case of a goat owl, which proved to clinical examination, morphologically as being female, with the presence of abnormal vulvar structure. Upon anatomical study by dissecting the structures, there was bodies that resembled both to women as to men, with the presence of testicles in the abdomen and body presenting similar to the uterus. For the correct identification of these bodies is effected histological, studies with proper identification and characteristics of each segment analyzed. According to the structures found it was possible to diagnose the animal as in the case of a case of male pseudo-hermaphroditism.(AU)

Se informan anomalías de la intersexualidad en varias especies animales. Este hecho resulta de fallas durante el desarrollo embrionario y fetal, dando origen a verdaderos animales hermafroditas y pseudohermafroditas. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo reportar un caso de pseudohermafroditismo masculino en cabras que ocurrió en la ciudad de Manaus - AM. Debido al crecimiento de la ganadería en relación al segmento correspondiente a la cría de cabras, es fundamental para el éxito de la actividad que se corrijan las fallas en el manejo reproductivo ya que la ocurrencia de intersexualidad en cabras se relaciona principalmente con el carácter búho de los animales vinculados a factores hereditarios. El presente trabajo reporta el caso de una cabra búho, que se presentó al examen clínico, morfológicamente como hembra, con la presencia de una estructura vulvar anormal. Al realizar el estudio anatómico, mediante la disección de las estructuras, se observaron órganos que se asemejaban tanto a órganos femeninos como masculinos, con presencia de testículos intraabdominales y un órgano similar al útero. Para la correcta identificación de estos órganos se realizaron estudios histológicos, con la correcta identificación y características de cada segmento analizado. Según las estructuras encontradas, fue posible diagnosticar al animal como un caso de pseudohermafroditismo masculino.(AU)

Clitoridectomy and urethrostomy in a pseudohermaphrodite dog

Background: Hermaphroditism is a rare congenital disease that causes ambiguous sexual features. True hermaphroditeshave testicular and ovarian tissue, whereas pseudohermaphrodites have only one type of gonadal tissue and genitalia, butsecondary characteristics of the opposite sex. Pseudohermaphrodites are classified as male or female according to theirgonads. Treatment of pseudohermaphroditism consists of surgical removal of the gonads including reconstruction of abnormal genitalia, especially if the urethra is involved. Therefore, the objective of this report is to describe a case of a malepseudohermaphrodite in a dog treated with clitoridectomy with urethrostomy.Case: A 7-month-old, mixed-breed dog was referred due to the presence of a flaccid structure similar to a small penis,containing an os clitoris, bulbourethral glands, and urethra protruding from the vulva. Physical examination, completeblood count and serum biochemistry were within normal ranges. Hormonal levels of estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone were 56.39 pg/mL, 127.9 ng/mL, and 0.892 ng/mL, respectively. The abdominal ultrasound and posteriorly theexploratory celiotomy found a normal size prostate and two round organs resembling testicles connected to a uterus-liketubular structure. The patient underwent surgical abdominal exploration that confirmed the ultrasonographic findings andled to gonadohysterectomy. Also, clitoridectomy and urethrostomy were performed to excise the protruded structure andmaintain normal urethral patency. The histopathological examination of the clitoris and penis confirmed it was a malegenital organ, however, the abdominal structures were compatible with the testicles, epididymis, uterus, and even a broadligament. These organs are normally found in cases of male pseudohermaphroditism. The...

Clitoridectomy and urethrostomy in a pseudohermaphrodite dog

Background: Hermaphroditism is a rare congenital disease that causes ambiguous sexual features. True hermaphroditeshave testicular and ovarian tissue, whereas pseudohermaphrodites have only one type of gonadal tissue and genitalia, butsecondary characteristics of the opposite sex. Pseudohermaphrodites are classified as male or female according to theirgonads. Treatment of pseudohermaphroditism consists of surgical removal of the gonads including reconstruction of abnormal genitalia, especially if the urethra is involved. Therefore, the objective of this report is to describe a case of a malepseudohermaphrodite in a dog treated with clitoridectomy with urethrostomy.Case: A 7-month-old, mixed-breed dog was referred due to the presence of a flaccid structure similar to a small penis,containing an os clitoris, bulbourethral glands, and urethra protruding from the vulva. Physical examination, completeblood count and serum biochemistry were within normal ranges. Hormonal levels of estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone were 56.39 pg/mL, 127.9 ng/mL, and 0.892 ng/mL, respectively. The abdominal ultrasound and posteriorly theexploratory celiotomy found a normal size prostate and two round organs resembling testicles connected to a uterus-liketubular structure. The patient underwent surgical abdominal exploration that confirmed the ultrasonographic findings andled to gonadohysterectomy. Also, clitoridectomy and urethrostomy were performed to excise the protruded structure andmaintain normal urethral patency. The histopathological examination of the clitoris and penis confirmed it was a malegenital organ, however, the abdominal structures were compatible with the testicles, epididymis, uterus, and even a broadligament. These organs are normally found in cases of male pseudohermaphroditism. The...(AU)

The developmental variations of the sagitta otolith in the young and mature male of a hermaphrodite polynemidae fish, Eleutheronema tetradactylum (Shaw, 1804)

The Eleutheronema tetradactylum is a protandrous, hermaphrodite, marine perciformes fish. The body length of this fish acts as an important diagnostic marker for male and female discrimination. The present study describes for the first time the ultrastructural characteristics on the medial surface of the sagitta otolith in different body size groups of males of E. tetradactylum (Polynemidae: Perciformes) using scanning electron microscopy. The sagitta is a spindle-shaped structure that includes a well-developed rostrum and a poorly developed antirostrum. The sulcus is ostio-pseudocaudal type, almost straight and devoid of the collum. The ostium is a well-developed, vase-shaped structure. The cauda includes the colliculum and a well-developed caudal bulb with several distinct growth stripes. The length of the caudal bulb is significantly correlated to the growth of the body size of the fish. The excisura major is indistinct and the excisura minor is absent. The cristae are distinct on both sides of the sulcus. The one-way ANOVA test revealed that the development of several sagitta features shows significant differences in various body size groups of E. tetradactylum. The growth of the sagitta length is more closely related to the fork length than the sagitta width. Therefore, the sagitta length and the caudal bulb length can be used as important predictors to evaluate the fish size. The cauda region of the sagitta in E. tetradactylum is unique as well as more decorative than those of another Polynemidae fish and other hermaphrodite, marine perciformes fishes. The sagitta characteristics of E. tetradactylummight be advantageous in the identification of the sex and the taxonomy of the hermaphrodite fish species.(AU)

The first cases of gynandromorphism in oil-collecting bees (Hymenoptera, Apidae: Centridini, Tapinotaspidini)

Here we provide descriptions of gynandromorphs of two species oil-collecting bees: Lophopedia nigrispinis and Epicharis iheringii, both with partial bilateral phenotypic asymmetry. The bees have a female phenotype predominantly on mesosoma and metasoma. The specimen of L. nigrispinis has distinct characteristics on legs, suggesting a mosaic pattern of gynandromorphism. The pollen and oil loads on legs suggest that the bee was foraging normally. The gynander specimen of E. iheringii has mostly a female phenotype, except for head, with right half female type and left half male type. The specimen of L. nigrispinis was collected foraging on flowers of Bidens sp. at Parque Nacional Iguazú, Argentina with loads of pollen on legs suggesting it was reproductive and was provisioning a nest. The specimen of Epicharis iheriingi has no evidence of any oil or pollen collection, despite its mostly female phenotype.

The first cases of gynandromorphism in oil-collecting bees (Hymenoptera, Apidae: Centridini, Tapinotaspidini)

Here we provide descriptions of gynandromorphs of two species oil-collecting bees: Lophopedia nigrispinis and Epicharis iheringii, both with partial bilateral phenotypic asymmetry. The bees have a female phenotype predominantly on mesosoma and metasoma. The specimen of L. nigrispinis has distinct characteristics on legs, suggesting a mosaic pattern of gynandromorphism. The pollen and oil loads on legs suggest that the bee was foraging normally. The gynander specimen of E. iheringii has mostly a female phenotype, except for head, with right half female type and left half male type. The specimen of L. nigrispinis was collected foraging on flowers of Bidens sp. at Parque Nacional Iguazú, Argentina with loads of pollen on legs suggesting it was reproductive and was provisioning a nest. The specimen of Epicharis iheriingi has no evidence of any oil or pollen collection, despite its mostly female phenotype.(AU)

Two new records of Gynandromorphs in Xylocopa (Hymenoptera, Apidae s. l)

Two new records of gynandromorphs in Xylocopa Latreille, 1802 (Hymenoptera, Apidae). Gynandromorphs are deviant morphological individuals with genetically distinct male and female tissues. Records of sex anomalies seems to be important to better understand the mechanisms regulating phenotypic expression. Herein, two new cases of gynandromorphs in carpenter bee species of Xylocopa from Brazil are described and figured: a mixed gynandromorph of the X. (Neoxylocopa) brasilianorum (Linnaeus, 1767) from São Paulo and a bilateral gynandromorph of the X. (Neoxylocopa) ordinaria Smith, 1874 from Sergipe.

Two new records of Gynandromorphs in Xylocopa (Hymenoptera, Apidae s. l)

Two new records of gynandromorphs in Xylocopa Latreille, 1802 (Hymenoptera, Apidae). Gynandromorphs are deviant morphological individuals with genetically distinct male and female tissues. Records of sex anomalies seems to be important to better understand the mechanisms regulating phenotypic expression. Herein, two new cases of gynandromorphs in carpenter bee species of Xylocopa from Brazil are described and figured: a mixed gynandromorph of the X. (Neoxylocopa) brasilianorum (Linnaeus, 1767) from São Paulo and a bilateral gynandromorph of the X. (Neoxylocopa) ordinaria Smith, 1874 from Sergipe.(AU)

New Cases of Gynandromorphism in Xylocopa Latreille, 1802 (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Gynandromorphism is the most common case of sexual anomaly reported in bees and is characterized by individuals that show male and female traits simultaneously in the body. Gynandromorphic cases have been reported for 140 species of bees, an underestimated number comparing to the twenty thousand bee species described nowadays. Here we describe and illustrate the first case of a gynandromorphic Xylocopa darwini Cockerell, 1926 and the fourth case of Xylocopa varipuncta Patton, 1879. The specimens show a mixed form of gynandromorphism with predominantly female features and with all its male traits concentrated in one side of the body, right side in X. darwini and left side in X. varipuncta. The gynanders of X. darwini and X. varipuncta were collected on Isabela Island (Galapagos Ecuador) and Riverside (California USA), and were deposited in Smithsonian Collection and California Academy of Sciences, respectively. Including this work, eighteen cases of gynandromorphism were reported to Xylocopa and twelve were recorded from Neoxylocopa subgenus.

Ginandromorfismo é o caso mais comum de anomalia sexual registrado para abelhas e destaca-se por indivíduos que apresentam características simultâneas de machos e de fêmeas no corpo. Casos de ginandromorfos foram registrados para aproximadamente 140 espécies de abelhas, um número subestimado comparado às vinte mil espécies de abelhas descritas atualmente. No presente trabalho, o primeiro registro de ginandromorfismo para Xylocopa darwini Cockerell, 1926 e o quarto caso para Xylocopa varipuncta Patton, 1879 são descritos e ilustrados. Os espécimes apresentam a forma mista de ginandromorfo com características de fêmeas predominantes e as de machos concentradas em uma lateral do corpo, lado direito em X. darwini e esquerdo em X. varipuncta. Os ginandromorfos de X. darwini and X. varipuncta foram coletados na Ilha Isabela (Galápagos - Ecuador) e em Riverside (California - USA), e estavam depositados nas coleções entomológicas do Smithsonian e da Academia de Ciências da Califórnia, respectivamente. Incluindo as abelhas do presente trabalho, dezoito casos de ginandromorfismo estão registrados para abelhas do gênero Xylocopa e doze para o subgênero Neoxylocopa.

New Cases of Gynandromorphism in Xylocopa Latreille, 1802 (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Gynandromorphism is the most common case of sexual anomaly reported in bees and is characterized by individuals that show male and female traits simultaneously in the body. Gynandromorphic cases have been reported for 140 species of bees, an underestimated number comparing to the twenty thousand bee species described nowadays. Here we describe and illustrate the first case of a gynandromorphic Xylocopa darwini Cockerell, 1926 and the fourth case of Xylocopa varipuncta Patton, 1879. The specimens show a mixed form of gynandromorphism with predominantly female features and with all its male traits concentrated in one side of the body, right side in X. darwini and left side in X. varipuncta. The gynanders of X. darwini and X. varipuncta were collected on Isabela Island (Galapagos Ecuador) and Riverside (California USA), and were deposited in Smithsonian Collection and California Academy of Sciences, respectively. Including this work, eighteen cases of gynandromorphism were reported to Xylocopa and twelve were recorded from Neoxylocopa subgenus.(AU)

Ginandromorfismo é o caso mais comum de anomalia sexual registrado para abelhas e destaca-se por indivíduos que apresentam características simultâneas de machos e de fêmeas no corpo. Casos de ginandromorfos foram registrados para aproximadamente 140 espécies de abelhas, um número subestimado comparado às vinte mil espécies de abelhas descritas atualmente. No presente trabalho, o primeiro registro de ginandromorfismo para Xylocopa darwini Cockerell, 1926 e o quarto caso para Xylocopa varipuncta Patton, 1879 são descritos e ilustrados. Os espécimes apresentam a forma mista de ginandromorfo com características de fêmeas predominantes e as de machos concentradas em uma lateral do corpo, lado direito em X. darwini e esquerdo em X. varipuncta. Os ginandromorfos de X. darwini and X. varipuncta foram coletados na Ilha Isabela (Galápagos - Ecuador) e em Riverside (California - USA), e estavam depositados nas coleções entomológicas do Smithsonian e da Academia de Ciências da Califórnia, respectivamente. Incluindo as abelhas do presente trabalho, dezoito casos de ginandromorfismo estão registrados para abelhas do gênero Xylocopa e doze para o subgênero Neoxylocopa.(AU)

Male pseudohermaphroditism in equine / Pseudo-hermafroditismo masculino em um equino

Background: Intersexuality is considered an alteration in the animal development that opposes the characteristics determined by the genetic sex, resulting in an individual with characteristic features of both sexes. The objective of this work is to report a case of male pseudohermaphroditism of a Criollo breed horse referred to the Hospital de Clínicas Veterinárias (HCV) of the Universidade Federal de Pelotas, RS, Brazil. We gather information on the intersexuality diagnostics highlighting cytogenetics as an additional tool to diagnosis. Case: A Criollo breed horse was attended at the HCV with the main complaint of morphological anomaly of the external genitalia. The animal presented female external features, characterized by mammal glands and female genitalia. The horse also showed a rudimentary penis-like structure, caudally oriented shrouded by a cutaneous crease similar to a vulva and presented male behavior. The external genitalia was examined but the vaginoscope could not be inserted since the crease ended in a sac, with no openings. Rectal palpation and transrectal ultrasound could not reveal the presence of female gonads. Urethral ultrasound revealed the pelvic urethra and the openings of the male accessory glands. The equine was subjected to hormonal challenge with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). First sample presented a testosterone concentration of 20 ng/dL; [...](AU)

Male pseudohermaphroditism in equine / Pseudo-hermafroditismo masculino em um equino

Background: Intersexuality is considered an alteration in the animal development that opposes the characteristics determined by the genetic sex, resulting in an individual with characteristic features of both sexes. The objective of this work is to report a case of male pseudohermaphroditism of a Criollo breed horse referred to the Hospital de Clínicas Veterinárias (HCV) of the Universidade Federal de Pelotas, RS, Brazil. We gather information on the intersexuality diagnostics highlighting cytogenetics as an additional tool to diagnosis. Case: A Criollo breed horse was attended at the HCV with the main complaint of morphological anomaly of the external genitalia. The animal presented female external features, characterized by mammal glands and female genitalia. The horse also showed a rudimentary penis-like structure, caudally oriented shrouded by a cutaneous crease similar to a vulva and presented male behavior. The external genitalia was examined but the vaginoscope could not be inserted since the crease ended in a sac, with no openings. Rectal palpation and transrectal ultrasound could not reveal the presence of female gonads. Urethral ultrasound revealed the pelvic urethra and the openings of the male accessory glands. The equine was subjected to hormonal challenge with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). First sample presented a testosterone concentration of 20 ng/dL; [...]

Pseudo-hermafroditismo em cadela da raça buldogue-francês / Pseudohermaphroditism in a female French Bulldog / Pseudohermafroditismo en una perra Bulldog Francés

Pseudo-hermafroditismo é uma anomalia sexual rara em cães, em que existem caracteristicas masculinas e femininas em um mesmo individuo; geralmente o animal apresenta genitalia externa ambigua e gônadas masculinas ou femininas. O presente relato é sobre um animal de 5 meses de idade, da raça buldogue-francês, cuja queixa principal foi a presença de uma estrutura em região interna de genitália com evolução aproximada de 2 meses. O exame clinico constatou que a paciente mas com uma estrutura hipertrofiada no interior similar a um clitóris, além de um OSSO apresentava caracteristica fenotipica de fêmea, com vagina sem alterações aparentes, peniano. A radiografia abdominal lateral direita revelou a presença de provável osso peniano atrofiado, localizado dentro da vagina. O exame ultrassonográfico evidenciou a presença de duas estruturas ovaladas, grosseiras e hipoecogênicas em região inguinal (tecido subcutâneo), sugerindo testiculos ectopicos; não foram observados os ovários e o útero. Durante a laparotomia observou-se a ausência de ovários e a presença de útero, além de testiculos no tecido subcutâneo.

Pseudohermaphroditism is a sexual anomaly, rare in dogs, in which the individual has both male and female characteristics; normally ambiguous external genitalia and male or female gonads. This report concerns a 5-month-old female French Bulldog, where the principal concern was the presence of a structure in the internal region of the genitalia with evolution of approximately 2 months. Upon clinical examination, it was found that the patient had a characteristically female phenotype and a vagina with no apparent changes, despite the presence of a hypertrophied structure inside, similar to a clitoris and a probable penile bone. A right lateral abdominal radiography revealed the presence of a probable atrophied penile bone located inside the vulva. An ultrasound examination showed the presence of two oval, coarse and hypoechogenic structures in the inguinal (subcutaneous) region, suggesting ectopic testicles; ovaries and uterus were not observed. However, during laparotomy the absence of ovaries and the presence of uterus and testicles in the subcutaneous tissue were observed.

El pseudohermafroditismo representa una anomalia congénita rara en perros, en la cual se observan caracteristicas de macho y de hembra en un individuo; generalmente el animal presenta genitales externos ambiguos y gónadas masculinas o femeninas. El presente relato describe este cuadro en un Bulldog francés de 5 meses que llegó a consulta porque podia observarse una estructura diferente en vulva con evolución aproximada de 2 meses. Durante la consulta, la paciente presentaba características fenotipicas de hembra, con una vagina normal y una estructura hipertrofiada en su interior, similar a un clitoris, y otra parecida con un hueso peneano. La radiografia abdominal lateral derecha mostró la presencia de un posible hueso peneano atrofiado que se localizaba cercano a la vagina. La ecografia permitió localizar dos estructuras ovaladas, grandes e hipecogénicas en la región inguinal (subcutáneo) similares a los testiculos (ectopia testicular); no se observaron ovarios y útero. Durante la laparatomia se observo ausencia de ovarios, presencia de útero y la localización de ambos testículos en el tejido subcutáneo.

Pseudo-hermafroditismo em cadela da raça buldogue-francês / Pseudohermaphroditism in a female French Bulldog / Pseudohermafroditismo en una perra Bulldog Francés

Pseudo-hermafroditismo é uma anomalia sexual rara em cães, em que existem caracteristicas masculinas e femininas em um mesmo individuo; geralmente o animal apresenta genitalia externa ambigua e gônadas masculinas ou femininas. O presente relato é sobre um animal de 5 meses de idade, da raça buldogue-francês, cuja queixa principal foi a presença de uma estrutura em região interna de genitália com evolução aproximada de 2 meses. O exame clinico constatou que a paciente mas com uma estrutura hipertrofiada no interior similar a um clitóris, além de um OSSO apresentava caracteristica fenotipica de fêmea, com vagina sem alterações aparentes, peniano. A radiografia abdominal lateral direita revelou a presença de provável osso peniano atrofiado, localizado dentro da vagina. O exame ultrassonográfico evidenciou a presença de duas estruturas ovaladas, grosseiras e hipoecogênicas em região inguinal (tecido subcutâneo), sugerindo testiculos ectopicos; não foram observados os ovários e o útero. Durante a laparotomia observou-se a ausência de ovários e a presença de útero, além de testiculos no tecido subcutâneo.(AU)

Pseudohermaphroditism is a sexual anomaly, rare in dogs, in which the individual has both male and female characteristics; normally ambiguous external genitalia and male or female gonads. This report concerns a 5-month-old female French Bulldog, where the principal concern was the presence of a structure in the internal region of the genitalia with evolution of approximately 2 months. Upon clinical examination, it was found that the patient had a characteristically female phenotype and a vagina with no apparent changes, despite the presence of a hypertrophied structure inside, similar to a clitoris and a probable penile bone. A right lateral abdominal radiography revealed the presence of a probable atrophied penile bone located inside the vulva. An ultrasound examination showed the presence of two oval, coarse and hypoechogenic structures in the inguinal (subcutaneous) region, suggesting ectopic testicles; ovaries and uterus were not observed. However, during laparotomy the absence of ovaries and the presence of uterus and testicles in the subcutaneous tissue were observed.(AU)

El pseudohermafroditismo representa una anomalia congénita rara en perros, en la cual se observan caracteristicas de macho y de hembra en un individuo; generalmente el animal presenta genitales externos ambiguos y gónadas masculinas o femeninas. El presente relato describe este cuadro en un Bulldog francés de 5 meses que llegó a consulta porque podia observarse una estructura diferente en vulva con evolución aproximada de 2 meses. Durante la consulta, la paciente presentaba características fenotipicas de hembra, con una vagina normal y una estructura hipertrofiada en su interior, similar a un clitoris, y otra parecida con un hueso peneano. La radiografia abdominal lateral derecha mostró la presencia de un posible hueso peneano atrofiado que se localizaba cercano a la vagina. La ecografia permitió localizar dos estructuras ovaladas, grandes e hipecogénicas en la región inguinal (subcutáneo) similares a los testiculos (ectopia testicular); no se observaron ovarios y útero. Durante la laparatomia se observo ausencia de ovarios, presencia de útero y la localización de ambos testículos en el tejido subcutáneo.(AU)

Um caracol, dois sexos: implicações biológicas do hermafroditismo em gastrópodes terrestres

Desafiando a antiga crença de que hermafroditas são menos complexos dos que os animais de sexos separados, os resultados de estudos recentes sobre moluscos terrestres têm revelado a presença de comportamentos e estratégias tão ou mais elaboradas que aquelas exibidas pelas espécies gonocóricas (que apresentam indivíduos machos e fêmeas). O estudo do comportamento e das estratégias reprodutivas destes animais contribui para o entendimento da evolução e aspectos funcionais do hermafroditismo.(AU)