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?

Question

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

Answer 1

Wait. This question is put very wrong in the beginning. In a developing fetus, the sex is defined already. It’s defined by the sex chromosome that the sperm brings into the egg. The mix of genes that are read off two X chromosomes will trigger a female development, while the XY chromosome combination does not reach enough “female gene products” and adds a lot of “male” hormones, which will ultimately trigger development of male sexual organs. It’s worth to know that it’s more the “not enough female” that triggers male development, rather than “not enough male” triggering female development. The Y chromosome that male are so proud of (talking about all these patriarchy in the world) is evolutionary a crippled X chromosome. 🙂