What is gonadal differentiation?
The gonadal stage is the period during which indifferent gonads develop into either ovaries or testes. The phenotypic stage is induced in response to gonadal differentiation; the internal genital tract and external genitalia develop into characteristic male or female structures.
Where does gender differentiation start?
The first evidence of sexual differentiation in human embryogenesis is the appearance of the spermatogenic cords in the fetal testis at approximately 6 weeks of development.
At what stage of development the human embryo is the differentiation of the gonads?
The chromosomal sex of the embryo is established at fertilization. However, 6 weeks elapse in humans before the first signs of sex differentiation are noticed. Sex differentiation involves a series of events whereby the sexually indifferent gonads and genitalia progressively acquire male or female characteristics.
What is differentiation in reproduction?
Differentiation of the male and female reproductive systems does not occur until the fetal period of development. Anatomical terminology. Sexual differentiation is the process of development of the sex differences between males and females from an undifferentiated zygote.
What is a Bipotential gonad?
A bipotential gonad is defined as an undifferentiated phase of gonadal development where the male (XY) and female (XX) undifferentiated gonads appear identical and they can either develop into testes or ovaries.
What is gender differentiation?
the process in which biological differences between males and females are assigned social significance and are used as a means of social classification. In most known cultures, anatomical sex is used as a basis for GENDER differentiation.
What causes undifferentiated gonads?
The factor that controls their development appears to be a single gene on the Y chromosome called SRY. This gene produces and enzyme called testis-determining factor, which causes the undifferentiated gonads to become testes.
What does gonadal mean?
(gō′năd′) An organ in animals that produces gametes, especially a testis or ovary. [New Latin gonas, gonad-, from Greek gonos, procreation, genitals; see genə- in Indo-European roots.]
What hormones act on the gonads?
Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) are called gonadotropins because stimulate the gonads – in males, the testes, and in females, the ovaries. They are not necessary for life, but are essential for reproduction.