Sexual differentiation in humans

The human Y chromosome showing the SRY gene which codes for a protein regulating sexual differentiation.

Sexual differentiation in humans is the process of development of sex differences in humans. It is defined as the development of phenotypic structures consequent to the action of hormones produced following gonadal determination.[1] Sexual differentiation includes development of different genitalia and the internal genital tracts and body hair plays a role in sex identification.[2]

The development of sexual differences begins with the XY sex-determination system that is present in humans, and complex mechanisms are responsible for the development of the phenotypic differences between male and female humans from an undifferentiated zygote.[3] Females typically have two X chromosomes, and males typically have a Y chromosome and an X chromosome. At an early stage in embryonic development, both sexes possess equivalent internal structures. These are the mesonephric ducts and paramesonephric ducts. The presence of the SRY gene on the Y chromosome causes the development of the testes in males, and the subsequent release of hormones which cause the paramesonephric ducts to regress. In females, the mesonephric ducts regress.

Disorders of sexual development (DSD), encompassing conditions characterized by the appearance of undeveloped genitals that may be ambiguous, or look like those typical for the opposite sex, sometimes known as intersex, can be a result of genetic and hormonal factors.[4]

  1. ^ Hughes, Ieuan A. (2001). "Minireview: Sex Differentiation". Endocrinology. 142 (8): 3281–3287. doi:10.1210/endo.142.8.8406. PMID 11459768.
  2. ^ Sizonenko, P. C. (n.d.). "Human sexual differentiation". Reproductive health – via Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
  3. ^ Mukherjee, Asit B.; Parsa, Nasser Z. (1990). "Determination of sex chromosomal constitution and chromosomal origin of drumsticks, drumstick-like structures, and other nuclear bodies in human blood cells at interphase by fluorescence in situ hybridization". Chromosoma. 99 (6): 432–435. doi:10.1007/BF01726695. PMID 2176962. S2CID 25732504.
  4. ^ Kučinskas, Laimutis; Just, Walter (2005). "Human male sex determination and sexual differentiation: Pathways, molecular interactions and genetic disorders" (PDF). Medicina. 41 (8): 633–640. ISSN 1010-660X. PMID 16160410.