A case of freemartin with atresia recti and ani in Japanese Black calf

Abstract

A female Japanese Black calf was born on 25 March 2003 at Hiroshima University Farm as a co-twin to a male Japanese Black calf. The male calf showed no external urogenital abnormalities. The absence of anal opening and external features of freemartinism were observed in the female. A small opening to the vulva (about 1.5 cm in length) with fused lips and a prominent clitoris were seen. The hair around the vulva was 3.5 cm in length and was heavy and dense. The distance from the vulva to the atretic anus was 9.0 cm. There were no other detectable abnormalities on physical examination. The PCR-based DNA test showed male-specific sequences confirming the calf to be freemartin. At autopsy 1 day after the calf birth, the gonads were found to be small and hard and the left uterine horn showed segmental aplasia near its proximal end. Two seminal glands (remnants of mesonephric duct) were located on both sides of the uterine body. A cervix was absent. The vagina was underdeveloped and looked like a tubual structure. The rectal end was closed, while the distance from the end of the atretic rectum to the absent anal opening was about 4.0 cm. On histological examination, the gonads exhibited extensive morphologic alteration; there was no cortex with the absence of ovarian structures. The seminal glands consisted of hypoplastic glandular tissue surrounded by extensive fibrous connective tissue. In conclusion, this is a case report of a freemartin with atresia recti and ani.