ABSTRACTION

• Marieb, E.N. (2001) explains that the gonads

(reproductive glands that produce the gametes; testis or
ovary) begin to form until about the eighth week of
embryonic development.
• During the early stages of human development, the
embryonic reproductive structures of males and females
are alike and are said to be in the indifferent stage.
• When the primary reproductive structures are formed,
development of the accessory structures and external
genitalia begins.
• The formation of male and female structures
depends on the presence of testosterone.
• Usually, once formed, the embryotic testes
releases testosterone, and the formation of the
duct system and external genitalia follows.
• In the case of female embryos that form ovaries,
it will cause the development of the female ducts
and external genitalia since testosterone
hormone is not produced.
• Any intervention with the normal pattern of sex hormone
production in the embryo results in strange abnormalities.
• For instance, a genetic male develops the female
accessory structures and external genitalia if the
embryonic testes fail to produce testosterone.
• On the other hand, if a genetic female is exposed to
testosterone (as in the case of a mother with androgen-
producing tumor of her adrenal gland), the embryo has
ovaries but may develop male accessory ducts and glands,
as well as male reproductive organ and an empty
reproductive scrotum.
• As a result, pseudohermaphrodites are formed who
are individuals having accessory reproductive
structures that do not “match” their gonads while
true hermaphrodites are individuals who possess
both ovarian and testicular tissues but this
condition is rare in nature.
• Nowadays, many pseudohermaphrodites undergo
sex change operations to have their outer selves
(external genitalia) fit with their inner selves
(gonads)
• A critical event for the development of reproductive
organs take place about one month before birth
wherein the male testes formed in the abdominal
cavity at approximately the same location as the
female ovaries, descend to enter the scrotum.
• If this normal event fails, it may lead to
cryptorchidism. This condition usually occurs in young
males and causes sterility (which also a risk factor for
cancer of the testes) that is why surgery is usually
performed during childhood to solve this problem.
• Moreover, abnormal separation of chromosomes
during meiosis can lead to congenital defects of the
reproductive system.
• For instance, males who possess extra female sex
chromosomes have the normal male accessory
structures, but atrophy (to shrink) of their testes
causes them to be sterile.

XY → XYY
• Other abnormalities result when a child has
only one sex chromosome.
• An XO female appears normal but lack
ovaries.
• YO males die during development.
• Other much less serious conditions also affect
males primarily such as phimosis, which is due
to narrowing of the foreskin of the male
reproductive structure and misplaced urethral
opening.
• Puberty is the