Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Case Reports
. 2026 Jan-Feb;45(1):70-73.
doi: 10.1002/zoo.70043. Epub 2025 Nov 30.

Klinefelter'S Syndrome in a Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and Its Management

Matthew Hardy  1 , Lauren Bow  1 , Thomas C Lewis  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Klinefelter'S Syndrome in a Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and Its Management

Matthew Hardy et al. Zoo Biol. 2026 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

Klinefelter's syndrome is the most prevalent sex chromosomal disorder in humans and has been observed in various mammalian species. This article documents the case of a 25-year-old western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) at Longleat Safari Park who was diagnosed with Klinefelter's syndrome. The study encompasses their diagnosis, behavioral assessment, and management strategies over twelve years. The behavioral profile includes neophobia, sensitivity to sounds, impaired problem-solving abilities, mood swings, and atypical social interactions. Management practices tailored to his condition involved establishing a consistent daily routine, mitigating exposure to sudden noises, and pre-emptive medical interventions at early signs of illness. These approaches have effectively addressed his unique needs and reduced stress-related behaviours. This case study underscores the necessity for individualized care plans for nonhuman primates with Klinefelter's syndrome, providing a guide for future management of similar cases in captivity. The findings contribute to the limited knowledge of Klinefelter's syndrome in gorillas and highlight the importance of personalized and consistent management strategies to enhance the welfare of affected individuals.

Keywords: Primate; behavior; genetic condition; zoo.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Bender, B. G., M. G. Linden, and R. J. Harmon. 2001. “Life Adaptation in 35 Adults With Sex Chromosome Abnormalities.” Genetics in Medicine 3, no. 3: 187–191. https://doi.org/10.1097/00125817-200105000-00007.
    1. Bojesen, A., S. Juul, and C. H. Gravholt. 2003. “Prenatal and Postnatal Prevalence of Klinefelter Syndrome: A National Registry Study.” Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 88, no. 2: 622–626. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2002-021491.
    1. Bruining, H., H. Swaab, L. M. J. de Sonneville, S. van Rijn, H. van Engeland, and M. J. H. Kas. 2011. “In Search for Significant Cognitive Features in Klinefelter Syndrome Through Cross‐Species Comparison of a Supernumerary X Chromosome.” Genes, Brain and Behavior 10, no. 6: 658–662. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1601-183X.2011.00705.x.
    1. Dudley, C. J., G. B. Hubbard, C. M. Moore, et al. 2006. “A Male Baboon (Papio Hamadryas) With a Mosaic 43,XXY/42,XY Karyotype.” American Journal of Medical Genetics, Part A 140A, no. 1: 94–97. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajmg.a.31014.
    1. Hauffe, H. C., M. D. Giménez, S. Garagna, and J. B. Searle. 2010. “First Wild Xxy House Mice.” Chromosome Research 18, no. 5: 599–604. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10577-010-9135-x.

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources