Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Skeletal Muscle Gender Dimorphism from Proteomics
Published on: December 14, 2011
The genetics of male undermasculinization
S Faisal Ahmed1, Ieuan A Hughes
1Department of Child Health, University of Glasgow, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Yorkhill, Glasgow, UK.
Abstract:
A review of the genetics of male undermasculinization must encompass a description of the embryology of the genital system. The dimorphism of sex development consequent upon the formation of a testis and the subsequent secretion of hormones to impose a male phenotype is highlighted. Thus, an understanding of the causes of male undermasculinization (manifest as XY sex reversal, complete and partial) includes reviewing the genetic factors which control testis determination and the production and action of testicular hormones. The study of disorders of male sex development has contributed substantially to knowledge of normal male development before birth. This knowledge has been complimented in recent years by the use of targeted murine gene disruption experiments to study the sex phenotype, although murine and human phenotypes are not always concordant. The investigation of disorders associated with male undermasculinization of prenatal onset is described briefly to complete the review.
Related Concept Videos
X-linked Traits
X and Y Chromosomes
The germline cells such as egg and sperm cells carry only half the number of chromosomes, i.e., 22 autosomes and one sex chromosome. All eggs have an X chromosome, while sperm cells can carry an X or...
The Y Chromosome Determines Maleness
Evolution
Around 300 million years ago, the two sex chromosomes diverged from two identical autosomal chromosomes. Over time, the Y chromosome has lost most of its genes, shrinking in size. Today,...
The Ratio of X Chromosome to Autosomes
Normal male Drosophila has a ratio of one X chromosome to two sets of autosomes. In contrast, normal female Drosophila...
X-linked Traits
Dosage Compensation
In addition to sexual development, the X chromosome has genes involved in autosomal functions such as brain development and the immune system. Therefore, males and females with distinct numbers of X chromosomes will have...

