Abstract:
Disorders of sexual development (DSD) in wild mammals are rarely described. A male South
African giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa) was identified with bilateral cryptorchidism.
The testes were intra-abdominal, smaller and less ovoid than in normal male giraffes. The
right testis was situated more cranially than the left and connected to a longer deferent duct
with normal ampullae. One distended vesicular gland filled with mucoid material was
identified. A short penis, situated in the perineal area, was directed caudally and presented
hypospadias. Histologically, testicular hypoplasia was present; the epididymis tubules
contained no spermatozoa and the deferent duct and vesicular gland were inflamed.
The blood testosterone concentration was 16.27 nmol/L and oestrone sulphate concentration
was 0.03 ng/mL. The aetiology of the abnormalities is unknown.
