Definition of freemartin in English:
freemartin
noun ˈfriːmɑːtɪnˈfrēˌmärtn
A hermaphrodite or imperfect sterile female calf which is the twin of a male calf whose hormones affected its development.
Example sentencesExamples
- In cattle, there is a phenomenon called the freemartin.
- Lillie looked at the anatomical characteristics of the freemartin, the sexually abnormal co-twin of a male calf, usually possessing female as well as male external genitalia.
- Although the external genitalia of the freemartin may appear normal, the internal organs are abnormal in greater or lesser degrees.
- If someone sold a 6-9 month old heifer at the sale barn I would assume they were intended as feeders, but how would they know (unless they knew they were twins to bulls) that they were freemartins at that young an age?
- Of the 42 animals studied, 10 freemartins were found with variable percentages of male and female blood cells, the majority however showing similar percentages of both.
- These females are referred to as ‘freemartins’, don't ask me why.
- The odds that she is a freemartin is really high.
- Consequently, freemartins are sterile and are usually slaughtered or sold for beef.
- One heifer was later found as a freemartin and, therefore, was excluded from the trial.
- Thus primates differ from cattle in which the freemartin animal is frequently infertile and virilized.
- The external appearance of a freemartin may vary from an apparently normal female to a somewhat masculinized individual.
- Also the male co-twins to freemartins are usually considered to be normal and fertile, although a few may have underdeveloped testicles and some may have reduced fertility.
- Also, the ovaries of a freemartin do not produce the hormones necessary to induce the behavioral signs of heat.
Origin
Late 17th century: of unknown origin.