Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Development of the Sexual Organs in the Embryo and Fetus

Development of the Sexual Organs in the Embryo and Fetus

Development of the reproductive organs in an embryo starts from a bipotential state. This means the early embryo can develop either male or female reproductive organs. The formation of these organs begins with the growth of gonadal ridges that arise from the intermediate mesoderm during the fifth week of development.
Near the gonadal ridges, two duct systems are present: the mesonephric ducts (Wolffian ducts) and paramesonephric ducts (Müllerian ducts). These ducts form the basis for the male...

The Y Chromosome Determines Maleness

The Y Chromosome Determines Maleness

The Y chromosome is a sex chromosome found in several vertebrates and mammals, including humans. In addition to 22 pairs of autosomes, the human males have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome. In these organisms, the presence or absence of the Y chromosome determines the development of male traits.
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

The Ratio of X Chromosome to Autosomes

In most organisms, sex is determined by the ratio of X and Y chromosomes. However, in some organisms, such as Drosophila and C.elegans, sex is determined by the ratio of the number of X chromosomes to the number of sets of autosomes. The Y chromosome in Drosophila is active but does not determine sex. It contains genes responsible for the production of sperms in adult flies.
Normal male Drosophila has a ratio of one X chromosome to two sets of autosomes. In contrast, normal female Drosophila...

Dosage Compensation

Dosage Compensation

In animals, gender is determined by the number and type of sex chromosome. For example, human females have two X chromosomes, and males have one X and one Y chromosome, whereas C.elegans with one X chromosome is a male, and the one with two X chromosomes is a hermaphrodite.
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...

Sex-linked Disorders

Sex-linked Disorders

Like autosomes, sex chromosomes contain a variety of genes necessary for normal body function. When a mutation in one of these genes results in biological deficits, the disorder is considered sex-linked.

Sex Linked Disorders

Sex Linked Disorders

Like autosomes, sex chromosomes contain a variety of genes necessary for normal body function. When a mutation in one of these genes results in biological deficits, the disorder is considered sex-linked.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

A conserved function of Human DLC3 and <i>Drosophila</i> Cv-c in testis development.

eLife·2022

Same author

Estrogens: Two nuclear receptors, multiple possibilities.

Molecular and cellular endocrinology·2022

Same author

CBX2 in DSD: The Quirky Kid on the Block.

Sexual development : genetics, molecular biology, evolution, endocrinology, embryology, and pathology of sex determination and differentiation·2022

Same author

The transcriptional regulator CBX2 and ovarian function: A whole genome and whole transcriptome approach.

Scientific reports·2019

Same author

CBX2-dependent transcriptional landscape: implications for human sex development and its defects.

Scientific reports·2019

Same author

Pluripotent Cell Models for Gonadal Research.

International journal of molecular sciences·2019

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Dissection of Larval Zebrafish Gonadal Tissue

Dissection of Larval Zebrafish Gonadal Tissue

Published on: April 26, 2017

Control of sex development.

Anna Biason-Lauber¹

¹Division of Endocrinology/Diabetology, University Children's Hospital, Steinwiesstrasse 75, CH-8032 Zurich, Switzerland. Anna.Lauber@kispi.uzh.ch

Best Practice & Research. Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism

|June 15, 2010

Summary

Sexual differentiation is crucial for metazoan reproduction. This review details factors in sex determination (transcriptional regulators) and sex differentiation (hormones and receptors), referencing human disorders of sex development (DSDs).

Area of Science:

Developmental Biology
Genetics
Endocrinology

Background:

Sexual differentiation is essential for reproduction in metazoans.
Sex development involves two key processes: sex determination and sex differentiation.
Disorders of Sex Development (DSDs) provide insights into normal sexual development pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the factors involved in sexual determination and differentiation.
To highlight the roles of transcriptional regulators and hormones/receptors.
To connect these factors with clinical cases of DSDs.

Main Methods:

Literature review focusing on animal models and human DSD cases.
Analysis of factors influencing sex determination (transcriptional regulators).

More Related Videos

Using Ex Vivo Upright Droplet Cultures of Whole Fetal Organs to Study Developmental Processes during Mouse Organogenesis

Using Ex Vivo Upright Droplet Cultures of Whole Fetal Organs to Study Developmental Processes during Mouse Organogenesis

Published on: October 21, 2015

Determination of Reproductive Competence by Confirming Pubertal Onset and Performing a Fertility Assay in Mice and Rats

Determination of Reproductive Competence by Confirming Pubertal Onset and Performing a Fertility Assay in Mice and Rats

Published on: October 13, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Dissection of Larval Zebrafish Gonadal Tissue

Dissection of Larval Zebrafish Gonadal Tissue

Published on: April 26, 2017

Using Ex Vivo Upright Droplet Cultures of Whole Fetal Organs to Study Developmental Processes during Mouse Organogenesis

Using Ex Vivo Upright Droplet Cultures of Whole Fetal Organs to Study Developmental Processes during Mouse Organogenesis

Published on: October 21, 2015

Determination of Reproductive Competence by Confirming Pubertal Onset and Performing a Fertility Assay in Mice and Rats

Determination of Reproductive Competence by Confirming Pubertal Onset and Performing a Fertility Assay in Mice and Rats

Published on: October 13, 2018

Analysis of factors influencing sex differentiation (hormones and receptors).

Main Results:

Sex determination relies on transcriptional regulators.
Sex differentiation is mediated by secreted hormones and their receptors.
Studies of DSDs illuminate the molecular mechanisms of sexual development.

Conclusions:

Understanding the molecular players in sex determination and differentiation is key to comprehending sexual development.
Clinical cases of DSDs are invaluable for validating findings from model organisms.
This review synthesizes current knowledge on factors governing sexual development.