A Study of the Chromosomes of the Normal Male Rabbit and Two Intersex Rabbits with Quinacrine Fluorescence and Giemsa Banding

Two agonadal intersex rabbits were studied cytogenetically. The Quinacrine fluorescence and Giemsa banding patterns of normal male rabbit mitotic chromp somes are described for the first time and compared with the propositi. Characteristic banding patterns which showed similarity in both techniques allowed homologous chromosomes to be identified with ease. The X and Y chromosomes fluoresced with Quinacrine mustard and stained with Giemsa like the cow and human X and Y. Inadequate functioning of male gonads at the appropriate time of differentiation of the accessory male structures coupled with inhibition of Mullerian derivatives must be postulated. The cause of this in the face of a normal chromosome constitution is not known, nor can it be derived from these two cases.