非洲雌狮“变性”长出雄性鬃毛

OKLAHOMA CITY — Lab results have revealed the answer to a mystery at an Oklahoma zoo: Just what caused a female lion to sprout a mane.

俄克拉荷马城实验室的研究结果揭示了俄克拉荷马州动物园的一个谜题:是什么导致一头雌狮长出鬃毛。

The Oklahoma City Zoo says in its March newsletter that testing at the University of Tennessee found the African lioness named Bridget has an elevated level of androstenedione, a hormone that can contribute to developing male features.

俄克拉荷马城动物园在其3月份的时事通讯中说，田纳西大学的测试发现，非洲雌狮布丽姬特的雄烯二酮水平较高，这是一种能促进男性特征的激素。

Veterinarians compared Bridget’s blood to samples from her sister, who has no mane. Bridget’s blood also contained a higher level of cortisol, which regulates metabolism and the immune system.

兽医将布丽姬特的血液和它没长鬃毛的姐姐的样本进行了比较。布丽姬特血液中的皮质醇水平也更高，皮质醇可以调节新陈代谢和免疫系统。

The zoo says the results likely mean the 18-year-old lioness has a benign tumor that’s producing the hormones, but that her health is excellent.

该动物园称，这一结果可能意味着18岁的雌狮长了可以产生激素的良性肿瘤，但她很健康。

The zoo says female lions with manes are not unheard of, but they are rare.

该动物园表示，长鬃毛的雌狮并不是前所未闻的，只是很罕见。