Hermaphroditism

The September 1997 issue of Dog Fancy magazine ran an ad about a study being conducted on XX sex reversal-and Kerries were listed as one of the affected breeds. Curious, I responded to the ad and received a letter from the researcher at Cornell University, an easy-to-understand brochure on the disorder, and a very simple survey. As it turns out, XX sex reversal is well-documented in only 6 breeds, and the Kerry is one of them.

XX sex reversal (XXSR), or hermaphroditism, is an inherited disorder in which the reproductive organs develop abnormally-either externally or internally-resulting in infertility or sterility. For example, a female may have an enlarged clitoris containing a bone that may protrude from the vulva, a longer distance between the anus and vulva than normal (the vulva may even be located near the belly), or may simply have a small, but complete, ovary. Apparently only females are affected, but males (and females) can be carriers.

The goal of the study is to identify the gene that causes this problem so that a DNA test can be developed that will clearly identify both the affected dogs and the carriers. Obviously, affected dogs won't be passing on the disorder, but carriers that are bred will.

If you have owned or bred a dog with this disorder, I would urge you to request the survey (only 9 simple questions). All information will be kept in strictest confidence. Contact Vicki N. Meyers-Wallen, VMD, PhD at the James A. Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853. Or call her at 607-256-5600, fax 607-256-5608, or e-mail shh3@cornell.edu.

I'm always troubled to see the Kerry listed on any short list of breeds affected by a disorder-no matter how skewed the numbers might be. By participating in research of this kind, we have a chance of eliminating the problem from our breed.

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