Molecular, cytogenetic and anatomohistopatologic diagnostic of freemartin syndrome on females cattle in

Abstract

Freemartin syndrome is a intersexuality condition developed in many of the female calfs born from heterosexual multiple calvings (male female). This originates in the fetal development between 30 and 40 days of gestation with transplacental exchange of cells through vascular anastomosis, occurring 60XX/XY chimerism in various tissues, and consequent sterility. In this paper was took blood samples from 106 female calves born from a multiple heterosexual calving. DNA was extracted from leucocytes and searched the SRY gene amplification associated with the Y chromosome by PCR and reading in agarose gel. 90 of 106 samples (84.9%) was amplified the SRY gene, verifying the 60XX/XY chimerism, and 16 samples (15.1%) that did not amplify the gene. Cytogenetic analysis using lymphocytes cell cultures showed the presence of Y chromosome in samples positive for SRY and absence of chimerism in SRY negative samples. The postmortem analysis of female reproductive tracts of SRY positive calves, shows anatomical abnormalities such as clitoris hypertrophia and cervical atresia. Histological examination of gonads of these animals confirmed the presence of ovotestis. This study confirms the usefulness of molecular biology techniques as diagnostic tools of the syndrome, for the use of replacement females in cattle.