In a developing fetus, what influences whether it is going to become male or female? What influences the cells to start building male or female organs?
In: 274
What others have said regarding chromosomes is not technically correct.
Male/female expression is controlled via the existance of testosterone, as detected by Androgen Receptors.
The vagina and the penis are built from the same part of the body. Ovaries and testicles are also the same proto-organ. Androgen receptors detect testosterone and trigger the gonads to either turn into ovaries, or descend and become testicles. Similarly, the proto-penis will either grow and the womb gets reabsorbed, with parts of it being used in fabrication of certain connections in the penis, or the proto penis will invert, becoming the vagina, clitoris, etc and connecting to the womb, while the tubes connect the womb to the overies.
It is the Y chromosome that is generally considered to code for the production of testosterone.
Source: I was born with persistent mullarian duct syndrome as a result of androgen receptor deficiency.
Results: womb wasn’t entirely reabsorbed. testicles didn’t descend but did turn into testicles, though being internal caused them damage and I am sterile as a result, and on the smaller side of average.
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