Testicular XX (<b><i>SRY</i></b>-Negative) Disorder of Sex Development in Cat

Abstract

In most mammals, the sex of an individual is genetically determined by the Y chromosome-specific SRY gene. The presence of at least one functional copy of this gene determines the development of the primordial gonads into testes. However, testicular tissue does develop in the absence of SRY, albeit rarely, which is the case in testicular XX (SRY-negative) disorder of sex development (DSD). This condition is very important for studying the process of sexual determination because it allows the identification of genetic factors that are able to promote the male developmental pathway in the absence of SRY and thereby enables a better understanding of this process. Until now, this condition has been identified in various animal species but has never been reported in cat. In this study, we describe the first case of an XX (SRY-negative) DSD cat. The cat possesses a tortoiseshell coat associated with male-like external genitalia, including normal scrotum with 2 palpably normal testicles. Histological analysis confirmed the presence of the testes, and cytogenetic and genetic analyses showed a female karyotype associated with the absence of the SRY gene. Finally, sequencing of the RSPO1 gene revealed no mutation, and FISH analysis of the SOX9 locus did not reveal any large abnormalities.