Apparently Chickens Can Changing Gender Naturally

Who says sex change can only happen in humans? Chickens belong couple Jim and Jeanette Howard from Huntington, England had gender reassignment from female to male

Pet chicken named Gertie began pacing in the yard, and crowed like a stud. A few weeks later, the male character begins to grow, such as the chin wattles, combs on their heads, as well as the typical male dark brown fur.

Jim Howard said at the Cambridge News, "I know it sounds weird, but I can confirm this is all true. People think this is a silly thing, but this turned out to be true."

Publication of the Institute of Food Science and Agriculture, University of Florida in 2000 stated, "Changes in sex in fact occur, though not so often. But until now, have not found the change from male to female."

Sex change can be explained from the biological development of the chicken. At the embryonic period, there will be male and female genitals. Once the female gene is dominant, then the ovaries will develop.

But unlike humans, chicken ovaries only develop in the left hip alone. Meanwhile, sex would be right at the waist dormancy, did not develop into males and females. Part of dormancy called ovotestis.

Under certain conditions such as cysts, tumors or kidney disease child gland, the ovaries can degenerate chicken. At that moment, ovotestis may grow into a male sex organ.

"If the sex will be developed on the right testicle, it will secrete androgens," said Mike Hulet, associate professor of science at Pennsylvania State University farm. Androgens are the hormones responsible for male characteristics.

"The production of androgens is what will lead to changes in female behavior and make it act like a stud," Hulet said as quoted by Life's Little Mysteries.

However, the chicken will not fully be male. Although looks manly, like chickens genetically fixed Gertier females. So, though no longer be able to lay eggs, chicken sex change also would not be able to fertilize other females. As a result of gender reassignment, now renamed Gerte Bertie.