Congenital Urethral Dilation and Intersex Condition in Caprines

Twelve (12) goats were presented for treatment of hypospadias and urethral dilation. Detailed clinical, radiological, chromosomal, gross and histopathological studies. were undertaken confirming the same as intersex condition. Clinical examination revealed lemon sized pinkish or blackish swelling posterior to the prepuce with distention of urine. The goats were observed for a period of one year. Surgery was performed in few goats which showed difficulty in urination and urethra was reconstructed. In unoperated cases, urethral dilation atrophied allowing normal urination. Radiologically, contrast study revealed normal kidney and bladder, but hypospadias and urethral dilation. Chromosomal examination revealed that genotypically the goats were female but phenotypically, they were males. Gross examination revealed presence of both ovaries and testes. Penis was short, where as vulva was absent. Histologically, ovary and uterus did not reveal all their features. In contrast, testicles revealed normal seminiferous tubules, interstitial cells of Leydig and spermatocyes. Such goats should be identified and culled for economic goat husbandry.