Female pseudohermaphrodite polar bears at Svalbard

J Wildl Dis. 1998 Oct;34(4):792-6. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-34.4.792.

Abstract

During research on polar bears (Ursus maritimus) at Svalbard in April 1996, we captured two yearlings with a normal vaginal opening and a 20 mm penis containing a baculum. The penis was located caudal to the location in a normal male and was concealed within the vaginal opening by a single pair of labia. The urethral opening was situated laterally about 5 mm from the distal end of the penis. Neither of the yearlings showed signs of a Y chromosome, so both bears were regarded as female pseudohermaphrodites. On separate occasions in two bears, we recorded aberrant genitalia morphology with a high degree of clitoral hypertrophy in Svalbard, which we also classified as female pseudohermaphroditism. The observed rate of female pseudohermaphroditism in this area was 1.5% (4/269). Pseudohermaphroditism in this polar bear population could result from excessive androgen excretion by the mother caused by a tumor, or it could be a result of endocrine disruption from environmental pollutants.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA / analysis
  • Disorders of Sex Development / genetics
  • Disorders of Sex Development / pathology
  • Disorders of Sex Development / veterinary*
  • Female
  • Genitalia / abnormalities
  • Norway
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
  • Ursidae / abnormalities*
  • X Chromosome / genetics
  • Y Chromosome / genetics

Substances

  • DNA