Abstract:
Talpid moles and spotted hyenas have become the paradigms of anatomical and behavioral female masculinization. Females of many mole species develop ovotestes that produce testosterone, show external genitalia that resemble that of males, and close their vaginal orifice after every estrus, and female spotted hyenas lack an external vaginal orifice and develop a pseudoscrotum and a large pseudopenis through which they urinate, mate, and give birth. We review current knowledge about several significant aspects of the biology and evolution of these females, including (a) their specific study methods; (b) their unique anatomical features, and how these peculiarities influence certain physiological functions; and (c) the role that steroid hormones as well as genetic and environmental factors may have in urogenital system development, aggressive behavior, and social dominance. Nevertheless, both mole and hyena females are exceptionally efficient mothers, so their peculiar genitalia should not call into question their femininity.
摘要:
类脑痣和斑点鬣狗已成为解剖和行为女性男性化的范例。许多痣物种的雌性会产生产生睾丸激素的卵细胞,显示类似于男性的外生殖器,每次发情期后关闭阴道口,雌性斑点鬣狗缺乏外部阴道口,形成假性阴囊和大的假性开口,通过它们排尿,mate,并分娩。我们回顾了有关这些雌性的生物学和进化的几个重要方面的最新知识,包括(A)他们的具体研究方法;(B)他们独特的解剖学特征,以及这些特性如何影响某些生理功能;(c)类固醇激素以及遗传和环境因素在泌尿生殖系统发育中的作用,攻击性行为,社会支配地位。然而,痣和鬣狗都是非常有效的母亲,所以她们奇特的生殖器不应该质疑她们的女性气质。