This document summarizes the processes of sex determination and differentiation. It begins by defining sex determination as the genetic inheritance that establishes gender at fertilization. Sex differentiation then describes the developmental differences between males and females from an undifferentiated zygote. It outlines the four levels of sex including chromosomal, gonadal, phenotypic, and psychological. The key stages and hormones involved in male and female gonadal and genital differentiation are described in detail. The document concludes by noting the multifactorial influences on psychological sex and theories on the biological basis of homosexuality.
This document summarizes the processes of sex determination and differentiation. It begins by defining sex determination as the genetic inheritance that establishes gender at fertilization. Sex differentiation then describes the developmental differences between males and females from an undifferentiated zygote. It outlines the four levels of sex including chromosomal, gonadal, phenotypic, and psychological. The key stages and hormones involved in male and female gonadal and genital differentiation are described in detail. The document concludes by noting the multifactorial influences on psychological sex and theories on the biological basis of homosexuality.
Original Description:
Presentation on human sex determination and differentiation in medical physiology.
This document summarizes the processes of sex determination and differentiation. It begins by defining sex determination as the genetic inheritance that establishes gender at fertilization. Sex differentiation then describes the developmental differences between males and females from an undifferentiated zygote. It outlines the four levels of sex including chromosomal, gonadal, phenotypic, and psychological. The key stages and hormones involved in male and female gonadal and genital differentiation are described in detail. The document concludes by noting the multifactorial influences on psychological sex and theories on the biological basis of homosexuality.
This document summarizes the processes of sex determination and differentiation. It begins by defining sex determination as the genetic inheritance that establishes gender at fertilization. Sex differentiation then describes the developmental differences between males and females from an undifferentiated zygote. It outlines the four levels of sex including chromosomal, gonadal, phenotypic, and psychological. The key stages and hormones involved in male and female gonadal and genital differentiation are described in detail. The document concludes by noting the multifactorial influences on psychological sex and theories on the biological basis of homosexuality.
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Sex Determination
and Differentiation Aaron T. Lee, RMT Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. SEX DETERMINATION •Process of genetic inheritance that sets the gender of an individual at the moment of fertilization SEX DIFFERENTIATION •Development of differences between males and females from an undifferentiated zygote •CHROMOSOMAL or GENETIC SEX •GONADAL SEX •PHENOTYPIC or GENITAL SEX •PSYCHOLOGICAL SEX Chromosomal Sex • established by genetic inheritance at the moment of fertilization •defined by the sex chromosomes; 44XY in males and 44XX in females. Gonadal Sex •Defined by the presence of testes in males and ovaries in females. •Development of primitive gonad into either testes or ovary •Outer cortex composed of coelomic epithelial cells •Inner medulla composed of stromal mesenchyme which surrounds cords of epithelial cells •At 4th-6th week of gestation, all embryos have bipotential gonads with the potential to differentiate along either male or female lines Male Gonadal Development
• embryonic medulla enlarges to become the
testis while the embryonic cortex regresses • formation of seminiferous tubules and Sertoli cells at 6 to 7 weeks • formation of Leydig cells at 8 to 9 weeks to secrete testosterone in response to HCG • at 9 weeks, a definitive testes is present and secretion of testosterone established • at 7 to 9 months gestation, testes normally descend through inguinal ring Female Gonadal Development
•embryonic cortex proliferates to become the
ovaries •embryonic medulla regresses and becomes the hilum of mature ovaries •development starts during 9th week gestation in the absence of a signal for testis formation • embryonic cortex proliferates to become the ovaries at weeks 11 and 12, primordial follicles are discernible •reaches maximal development by weeks 20-25 Phenotypic or Genital Sex •Defined by the characteristics of the internal genital tract and the external genitalia. •Regulation by gonadal sex of the differentiation of the genital apparatus •Influenced mainly by genetics and hormonal factors Sex Differentiation Hormones TESTOSTERONE- responsible for differentiation of Wolffian ducts to male internal genitalia at 9 to 10 weeks; secreted by fetal Leydig Cells MULLERIAN INHIBITING FACTOR- aka Anti- Mullerian Hormone, Mullerian Regressing Factor, is a glycoprotein hormone produced by Sertoli cells which inhibits the differentiation of female internal genitalia by inducing the dissolution of Mullerian ducts Psychological Sex
•Establishment of gender role, gender identity
or sexual orientation •Influenced by behavioral and cultural factors identification of self as either male or female •Applicable only to humans •Formed in early childhood •Independent of hormonal regulation and even of the phenotype of the individual •Depend on rearing cues and cultures •Considered as socially, culturally, historically and psychologically determined Homosexuality
•Exact biologic basis has not been discovered
•Region Xq28 of the X chromosome has been controversially dubbed as the “gay gene” •Brain studies reveal: •1.7x larger suprachiasmatic nucleus in homosexual males •Anterior commissure is 18% larger in heterosexual females and 34% larger in heterosexual males References
•BRS Physiology 5th Edition by Linda
Constanzo, 2011, Published: Lippincott and Williams & Wilkins •SBCM Physiology Lectures •Various Internet Websites
