This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by LASTER, D. B. Articles by RENBARGER, R. E. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by LASTER, D. B. Articles by RENBARGER, R. E.

EFFECT OF SEX RATIO IN UTERO ON DEGREE OF TRANSFORMATION AND CHIMAERISM IN NEONATAL BOVINE FREEMARTINS

Summary.: Seventeen neonatal bovine freemartins from eight twin, six triplet, two quadruplet, and one quintuplet, births were studied to determine whether the ratio of males to females in utero modified the severity of transformation of the reproductive system, type and extent of gonadal tissue and the proportion of polymorphonuclear neutrophil leucocytes containing sex nodules.

The degree of masculinization of the reproductive system ranged from those having no differentiation of the Müllerian ducts anterior to the vagina to those with a rudimentary uterus and two gonads. Testicular tissue was found in the gonads of five of the six freemartin reproductive tracts in which gonads were observed.

As the male: female sex ratio at birth increased, the proportion of sex nodules decreased and the degree of transformation of the reproductive system increased.