Potential case of pseudo-hermaphroditism in Elk (Cervus canadensis) in Alberta, Canada

Jacalyn Normandeau; Hans Martin; Evelyn H. Merrill; Mark Hebblewhite

doi:10.22621/CFN.V134I3.2481

Potential case of pseudo-hermaphroditism in Elk (Cervus canadensis) in Alberta, Canada

Jacalyn Normandeau
, Hans Martin
, Evelyn H. Merrill
, Mark Hebblewhite

W. A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Cases of true and pseudo-hermaphroditism, in which animals possess both ovaries and testes or have a single chromosomal and gonadal sex but secondary features of the other sex, have been documented in several cervids, including Odocoileus (deer) and Capreolus (roe deer) species. Another form of intersexuality that has been well documented in Domestic Cattle (Bos taurus) and induced in Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) is freemartinism, where blood is shared between heterosexual twins leading to XX/XY chimeras. We report the first case of pseudo-hermaphroditism in wild Elk (Cervus canadensis), observed in the central east slopes of the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada, from September through December 2019. The Elk had no antlers, exhibited female external genitalia, and displayed male secondary sexual characteristics, including colouring and breeding behaviour. To determine whether this is a case of true hermaphroditism, pseudo-hermaphroditism, or freemartinism would require blood analysis and inspection of internal sex organs by necropsy.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	241-247
Number of pages	7
Journal	Canadian Field-Naturalist
Volume	134
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.22621/CFN.V134I3.2481
State	Published - 2020

Funding

Funding was provided by National Science Foundation-LTREB grant 1556248, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Dis- covery Grant to E.H.M. (NSERC RGPIN-2016-04733), Parks Canada, Alberta Conservation Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Safari Club International—Foundation, Safari Club International —Northern Alberta Chapter, Alberta Fish and Game Association, Ministers Special License Funds, and Alberta Fish and Wildlife. We thank Parks Canada and

Funders	Funder number
1556248
Alberta Conservation Association
RGPIN-2016-04733

Keywords

Canada
Cervus canadensis
Elk
Freemartinism
Hermaphrodite
Pseudo-hermaphroditism

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10.22621/CFN.V134I3.2481

Cite this

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title = "Potential case of pseudo-hermaphroditism in Elk (Cervus canadensis) in Alberta, Canada",

abstract = "Cases of true and pseudo-hermaphroditism, in which animals possess both ovaries and testes or have a single chromosomal and gonadal sex but secondary features of the other sex, have been documented in several cervids, including Odocoileus (deer) and Capreolus (roe deer) species. Another form of intersexuality that has been well documented in Domestic Cattle (Bos taurus) and induced in Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) is freemartinism, where blood is shared between heterosexual twins leading to XX/XY chimeras. We report the first case of pseudo-hermaphroditism in wild Elk (Cervus canadensis), observed in the central east slopes of the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada, from September through December 2019. The Elk had no antlers, exhibited female external genitalia, and displayed male secondary sexual characteristics, including colouring and breeding behaviour. To determine whether this is a case of true hermaphroditism, pseudo-hermaphroditism, or freemartinism would require blood analysis and inspection of internal sex organs by necropsy.",

keywords = "Canada, Cervus canadensis, Elk, Freemartinism, Hermaphrodite, Pseudo-hermaphroditism",

author = "Jacalyn Normandeau and Hans Martin and Merrill, \{Evelyn H.\} and Mark Hebblewhite",

year = "2020",

doi = "10.22621/CFN.V134I3.2481",

language = "English",

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pages = "241--247",

journal = "Canadian Field-Naturalist",

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AU - Merrill, Evelyn H.

AU - Hebblewhite, Mark

PY - 2020

Y1 - 2020

N2 - Cases of true and pseudo-hermaphroditism, in which animals possess both ovaries and testes or have a single chromosomal and gonadal sex but secondary features of the other sex, have been documented in several cervids, including Odocoileus (deer) and Capreolus (roe deer) species. Another form of intersexuality that has been well documented in Domestic Cattle (Bos taurus) and induced in Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) is freemartinism, where blood is shared between heterosexual twins leading to XX/XY chimeras. We report the first case of pseudo-hermaphroditism in wild Elk (Cervus canadensis), observed in the central east slopes of the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada, from September through December 2019. The Elk had no antlers, exhibited female external genitalia, and displayed male secondary sexual characteristics, including colouring and breeding behaviour. To determine whether this is a case of true hermaphroditism, pseudo-hermaphroditism, or freemartinism would require blood analysis and inspection of internal sex organs by necropsy.

AB - Cases of true and pseudo-hermaphroditism, in which animals possess both ovaries and testes or have a single chromosomal and gonadal sex but secondary features of the other sex, have been documented in several cervids, including Odocoileus (deer) and Capreolus (roe deer) species. Another form of intersexuality that has been well documented in Domestic Cattle (Bos taurus) and induced in Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) is freemartinism, where blood is shared between heterosexual twins leading to XX/XY chimeras. We report the first case of pseudo-hermaphroditism in wild Elk (Cervus canadensis), observed in the central east slopes of the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada, from September through December 2019. The Elk had no antlers, exhibited female external genitalia, and displayed male secondary sexual characteristics, including colouring and breeding behaviour. To determine whether this is a case of true hermaphroditism, pseudo-hermaphroditism, or freemartinism would require blood analysis and inspection of internal sex organs by necropsy.

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Potential case of pseudo-hermaphroditism in Elk (Cervus canadensis) in Alberta, Canada

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