The Game Plan
- Authors
- Type
- Book
- Journal
- Current Topics in Developmental Biology
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2010
- Volume
- 90
- Pages
- 231–262
- Identifiers
- DOI: 10.1016/S0070-2153(10)90006-9
- ISBN: 978-0-12-380912-4
- Source
- Elsevier
- Keywords
- License
- Unknown
Abstract
In mammals, biological differences between males and females, which influence many aspects of their physical, social, and psychological environments, are solely determined genetically. In the presence of a Y chromosome, the gonadal primordium will differentiate into a testis, whereas in the absence of the Y chromosome an ovary will develop. Testis and ovary subsequently direct the differentiation of all secondary sex characteristics down the male and female pathway, respectively. The male-determining factor on the Y chromosome, SRY, was identified some 20 years ago. Since then, significant progress has been made toward understanding the molecular and cellular pathways that result in the formation of a testis. Here, we review what is known about testis differentiation in mice and humans, with reference to other species where appropriate.