OMIA:000991-9685 : Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) in Felis catus (domestic cat)

In other species: Burton's mouthbrooder , dog , horse , pig , taurine cattle

Categories: Reproductive system phene

Possibly relevant human trait(s) and/or gene(s)s (MIM numbers): 300068 (trait) , 313700 (gene)

Links to MONDO diseases:

Mendelian trait/disorder: yes

Mode of inheritance: X-linked

Considered a defect: yes

Key variant known: no

Cross-species summary: This is a type of XY difference of sexual development (XY DSD) due to variants in the AR gene. Previously known as Testicular Feminisation Syndrome. This is an abnormality of sexual development in which affected individuals have an XY chromosomal constitution, undescended testes and female secondary sexual characteristics (including female external genitalia). Also, instead of normally developed Mullerian duct derivatives (Fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and upper protion of the vagina), they have under-developed Wolffian duct derivatives (epididymis, vas deferens, and seminal vesicle). In all species so far investigated, the inheritance is X-linked recessive. In several species, this disorder is known to be due to a deficiency of an androgen receptor encoded by a gene on the X chromosome. The presence of a Y chromosome induces the undifferentiated embryonic gonads to develop as testes, but, in the absence of androgen receptor, the androgens produced by the testes cannot exert any effect. The result is that the embryo follows the "default" path of development, which is female.

Species-specific description: Testicular feminization syndrome is a type of XY Disorder of Sexual Development (DSD) in which the androgen receptor is nonfunctional, causing complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS). Affected cats have a normal male karyotype (38,XY) and develop testes, but develop into phenotypic females that are sterile. It is an X-linked trait. Edited by Vicki N. Meyers-Wallen, VMD, PhD, Dipl. ACT

Inheritance: As the AR is located on the X chromosome, XY males having one copy of the mutant AR are affected. Female carriers are heterozygous.

Mapping: FCX

Genetic engineering: Unknown
Have human generated variants been created, e.g. through genetic engineering and gene editing

Clinical features: Affected cats appear to be phenotypically normal females, but fail to exhibit estrous cycles at the age of puberty (primary anesrus). Affected cats have a male karyotype (38,XY) and undescended testes, but no other male or female reproductive organs are found internally (Meyers-Wallen et al., 1989).

Pathology: As the androgen receptor is nonfunctional, the testosterone signaling pathway is interrupted, which causes complete failure of androgen-dependent masculinization in the internal and external genitalia. Affected cats lack epididymides and vasa deferentia and develop labia, a clitoris and a blind-ending caudal vagina. As the testes produce Müllerian inhibiting substance as expected, the Müllerian duct system regresses normally, causing absence of the oviducts, uterus, and cranial vagina (Meyers-Wallen et al., 1989).

Prevalence: Rare

Control: Further breeding of the dam of the affected cat is not recommended.

Genetic testing: Cats can be tested for a qualitative or quantitative defect in the androgen receptor by testing androgen binding in genital fibroblasts (Meyers-Wallen et al., 1989).

Breed: Domestic Shorthair.
Breeds in which the phene has been documented. For breeds in which a likely causal variant has been documented, see the variant table below

Cite this entry

Nicholas, F. W., Tammen, I., & Sydney Informatics Hub. (2011). OMIA:000991-9685: Online Mendelian Inheritance in Animals (OMIA) [dataset]. https://omia.org/. https://doi.org/10.25910/2AMR-PV70

References

Note: the references are listed in reverse chronological order (from the most recent year to the earliest year), and alphabetically by first author within a year.

1993 Meyers-Wallen, V.N. :
Genetics of sexual differentiation and anomalies in dogs and cats. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility :441-452, 1993. Pubmed reference: 8229960.
1989 Lawhorn, B. :
Testicular feminization in a cat. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 195:1456, 1989. Pubmed reference: 2599922.
Meyers-Wallen, V.N., Wilson, J.D., Griffin, J.E., Fisher, S., Moorhead, P.H., Goldschmidt, M.H., Haskins, M.E., Patterson, D.F. :
Testicular feminization in a cat. J Am Vet Med Assoc 195:631-4, 1989. Pubmed reference: 2777713.

Edit History


  • Created by Frank Nicholas on 06 Sep 2005
  • Changed by Martha MaloneyHuss on 06 Sep 2011
  • Changed by Frank Nicholas on 07 Sep 2011