Abstract
Differentiation of the sex organs begins at fertilization when the combination of chromosomes from paternal and maternal gametes results in a karyotype that is 46, XX or 46, XY. In normal differentiation, the presence of a Y chromosome confers maleness, whereas the absence of the Y chromosome is associated with female development. However, the sex organs of the human male and female fetus are histologically identical until the fifth week of gestation. Up to that time, various bipotential and neutral structures form, each having the capacity to undergo sex-specific differentiation following the appropriate genetic signals.
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Berkovitz, G.D., Seeherunvong, T. (1999). Molecular Basis of Disorders of Sexual Differentiation. In: Handwerger, S. (eds) Molecular and Cellular Pediatric Endocrinology. Contemporary Endocrinology, vol 10. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-697-3_1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-697-3_1
Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ
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