1 CONTACT Mariana Diel de Amorim md649@cornell.edu © 2024 The Author(s). This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), permitting all noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Citation line: Clinical Theriogenology 2024, 16, 10439, http://dx.doi.org/10.58292/CT.v16.10439 Case Report Sexual development disorder in a dog Sarah Wright,a Yamilka Lago–Alvarez,a Christopher Champion,b Christian Folk,a Benjamin Rivard,a Bradley Back,a Luis Henrique de Aguiar,a Mariana Diel de Amorima aDepartment of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA bDepartment of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA Abstract A 1-year intact, phenotypic female Doberman Pinscher dog, was evaluated for suspected sexual development disorder. Patient had a history of white mucoid vaginal discharge with no estrous signs or behavior. Clitoral hypertrophy with a palpable os clitoris were noted. Transabodminal ultrasonography revealed a right gonad and tubular structures (possibly uterus). Exploratory laparotomy revealed 2 underdeveloped gonads in caudodorsal abdomen and a markedly underdeveloped right uterine horn. Histopathology confirmed bilateral ovotestes. Karyotyping (number and morphology of chromosomes) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (XX and XY cells) results were normal. Samples were PCR positive for sex-determining region Y (SRY) and X-linked androgen receptor gene. We concluded that the patient was either a mosaic or chimera with normal female 78,XX and normal male 78,XY cells and genetically a mix of male and female. Final diagnosis was sex chromosome (78,XX/XY), SRY-positive, ovotesticular, disorder of sexual development with female phenotype. Keywords: Abnormality of chromosomal sex, chimera, mosaic, os clitoris, ovotestes Background Disorders of sexual development (DSDs) include congenital reproductive tract abnormalities.1 Abnormalities in chromo- somal sex, gonadal differentiation, and phenotypic differenti- ation of the external genitalia result in a variety of phenotypic presentations. Therefore, determining both gonadal sex and chromosomal sex is critical to allow for precise diagnosis and to understand underlying pathophysiology.2,3 In Y chromosome presence, sex-determining region Y (SRY) gene acts on SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9) that is supported by positive feed-forward loops with the fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) gene.4 Potentially, ste- roidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) also acts to initiate activation of SOX9;5 SOX9 expression allows Sertoli cell development and inhibits expression of wingless-related MMTV integra- tion site 4 (WNT4) and forkhead box L2 (FOXL2) genes, important for ovarian development.6 Sertoli cells continue to express SOX9 throughout life7 and also secrete antiMüllerian hormone that regresses Müllerian ducts and stimulates differentiation of Leydig cells.6 In contrast, absence of SRY expression results in differentiation of bipotential gonads into ovaries. Expression of R-spondin family member 1 (RSPO1) activates WNT48 upregulating dosage-sensitive sex reversal-adrenal hypoplasia congeni- tal critical region on X chromosome, gene 1 (DAX1), an X chromosome gene that inhibits Sertoli cell development by suppressing SF-1 activation of SOX9.9 RSPO1 also acti- vates the β-catenin signaling pathway that further drives expression of WNT4 along with other genes associated with female differentiation.8 Failure in 1 or more of these pathways, led by a multitude of causes, might lead to an ambiguous phenotype. Chromosomal abnormalities have been reported in dogs, but are considered uncommon disorders.10,11 Chimerism origi- nates through the combination of 2 differing zygotes whereas mosaicism originates from a mitotic error in a single zygote, making 2 or more genetically varying type of cells 78,XX and 78,XY. Chromosomal mosaicism may take place at any stage of development.12 Chimeras that occur in early development are defined as primary chimeras, but if they occur postimplan- tation are called secondary (e.g. blood chimeras, which origi- nate due to the exchange of blood cells between twins). Freemartinism is a common condition in cattle where there is exchange of blood between twin male and female through placental anastomosis. Affected females may present with dif- fering degrees of reproductive tract masculinization.13 Female or male dogs with XX/XY leukocyte chimerism is uncommon, mailto:md649@cornell.edu http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ http://dx.doi.org/10.58292/CT.v16.10439 2 Citation line: Clinical Theriogenology 2024, 16, 10439, http://dx.doi.org/10.58292/CT.v16.10439 may present with ambigious phenotype, and sterility of the individual is common.14–16 A dog diagnosed with a sex chro- mosome DSD is presented. Case presentation A 1-year intact, phenotypic female Doberman Pinscher dog, was referred for evaluation of a suspected DSD due to an enlarged clitoris. Owner reported that the dog had multiple episodes of white mucoid vaginal discharge with no evidence of estrus. Dog’s dam was not supplemented with progesterone during pregnancy and it was unknown if any of the other lit- termates were affected. Physical examination findings were normal, except for slight increase in anogenital distance, clitoral hypertrophy, and pal- pable os clitoris (Figure 1A). Urethral groove extended from os clitoris base to ~ ¾ distance to distal clitoral tip. No other phenotypic abnormalities were noted. Serum progesterone concentrations (0.25 ng/ml) were con- sistent with lack of luteal activity and anestrus. Right gonad was idenitified via transabdominal ultrasonogrpaphy. It was located craniomedial to right kidney, adjacent to multiple mesenteric lymph nodes, and was 2.7 x 1.6 cm, circum- scribed, heteroechoic, with small, round, cyst-like hypoechoic to anechoic structures within it that were interpreted to be ovarian follicles. A hyperechoic, relatively linear structure was observed in gonadal center that was suspected to be rete testis (Figure 1B). Left gonad could not be detected via trans- abdominal ultrasonogrpaphy. Additionally, small, tubular, hypoechoic structure with hyperechoic parallel walls were observed in the expected region of uterus; structure appeared to bifurcate right and left at the caudal aspect of urinary bladder into small, tubular, structures that abruptly termi- nated. Abnormally developed uterus or vas deferens was suspected. Treatment Abdominal exploratory surgery identified 2 small, underde- veloped gonads in the caudodorsal abdomen between kid- neys’ caudal pole and bladder. There was evidence of a markedly underdeveloped right uterine horn. Uterine body and left uterine horn were not palpable. Reproductive tissue was surgically removed and histopa- thology of gonads revealed bilateral ovotestes. These ovo- testes consisted of a central testicular component and peripheral ovarian component surrounded by bursa (Figure 2A). Adjacent to gonad were numerous closely tortuous arteries and veins (resembling pampiniform plexus) as well as several tortuous mesonephric ducts (resembling epididymis) surrounded by dense fibrous con- nective tissue (Figure 2B). Central testicular compo- nent was composed of large numbers of variably pigmented Leydig cells and irregular seminiferous tubules that consisted  solely of Sertoli cells  with no evidence of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids, or sperm (Figure 2C). Peripheral ovarian component lacked  overt follicular structures and was merely composed of irregular and tortuous rete ovarii and abundant interstitial cells (Figure 2D). Outcome Cytogenetic analysis (Texas A&M University) revealed nor- mal number and morphology of chromosomes. Approximately 60% of the cells had 2 X chromosomes and ~ 40% of the cells were XY. Fluorescent in situ hybridiza- tion (FISH) assay was performed using Y chromo- some-specific probes. PCR analyses were performed to identify SRY gene presence and an X-linked androgen receptor gene. Results indicated the presence of both XX Figure 1. A. Os clitoris exposed for size visualization; B. Ultrasonographic image (craniocaudal view) of suspected right gonad, note: multifocal hypoechoic follicles and suspected rete testis (hyperechoic band [arrows]). http://dx.doi.org/10.58292/CT.v16.10439 Citation line: Clinical Theriogenology 2024, 16, 10439, http://dx.doi.org/10.58292/CT.v16.10439 3 and XY cells, confirming the final diagnosis of sex chromo- some (78,XX/XY), SRY-positive, ovotesticular, disorder of sex development with a female phenotype. Discussion Phenotypic abnormality with chromosomal anomaly (XX/XY) and bilateral ovotestis suggested a development disorder due to either 1 or both of them. Abnormalities of chromosomal sex are caused by errors in the number or structure of X and Y chromo- somes. Additional sex chromosomes or missing sex chromo- some can affect phenotype. Additionally, errors in chromosomes’ structures such as insertions, deletions, or translocations can dis- rupt the expression of genes that reside on altered chromosomes and can result in ambiguous sex phenotype.17,18 This patient was diagnosed with a disorder of sexual development that included clitoral hypertrophy, bilateral ovotestes, underdevel- oped uterus, and a chromosome disturbance consistent with chi- merism/mosaicism. Chimerism occurs when different zygotes or cells from different zygotes fuse, whereas mosaicism is due to nondisjunction in a single zygote or cells derived from a single zygote.3,19 In this case, cytogenetic and FISH analyses were performed only in blood. Various nonhemapoetic tissues along with blood and other genetic diagnostic tests such as DNA microsatellite, short tandem repeats (STR) and/or single nucleo- tide polymorphism (SNP) microarray are required to differentiate the underlying mechanism of mosaicism/chimerism.20,21 Amount of testicular gonadal tissue and its corresponding hor- monal activity determines the animal’s phenotype22 and may include unilateral or bilateral ovotestes as in this patient.23–27 Chimerism in a dog was previously reported wherein both blood leukocyte and skin cytogenetic analyses were per- formed.28 A limitation of the present case report was that the cytogenetic analysis was performed only on blood leukocytes. Inability to indentify left gonad via transabdominal ultrasonogra- phy was most likely due to postioning of animal and transducer angle. Additionally, follicle-like structures identified via transab- dominal ultrasongraphy were likely distended mesonephric ducts within the structure resembling epididymis, as follicles were not identified on histopathology. This case is unique because the sub- set of chimeric and mosaic dogs is rare,2 with only a few case reports of abnormalities of chromosomal sex in dogs.27,28 Conflict of interest Authors have no conflict of interest or funding to declare. Figure 2. Light microscopic images of gonad stained with hematoxylin and eosin: A. central testicular component and peripheral ovarian component surrounded by bursa (1X); B. tortuous arteries and veins (resembling the pampiniform plexus) and several tortuous mesonephric ducts (resembling the epididymis) surrounded by dense fibrous connective tissue (2X); C. large numbers of variably pigmented Leydig cells and irregular seminiferous tubules that consist solely of Sertoli cells with no evidence of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids, or sperm (20X), and D. tortuous rete ovarii and abundant interstitial cells (20X). http://dx.doi.org/10.58292/CT.v16.10439 4 Citation line: Clinical Theriogenology 2024, 16, 10439, http://dx.doi.org/10.58292/CT.v16.10439 Learning points • Mosaicism occurs when there is nondisjunction in a single zygote or cells derived from a single zygote. • Chimerism occurs when different zygotes or cells from differening zygotes fuse. • Sex chromosome disorders of sexual development are uncommon in dogs. 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