Genital System Development
Embryology - 19 Jun 2024 Expand to Translate |
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Introduction
The male and female reproductive systems develop initially embryonically "indifferent", it is the product of the Y chromosome SRY gene that makes the "difference".
The paired mesonephric ducts (Wolffian ducts) and paramesonephric ducts (Müllerian ducts) contribute the majority of male and female internal genital tract respectively.
Development of this system commences in the embryo, continues through the fetal period then with key changes around birth, only completes functional development postnatally at puberty. The mesonephric/paramesonephric duct changes are one of the first male/female differences that occur in development, while external genitaila remain indeterminate in appearance for quite a while.
There are many different issues to consider in the development of the genital system. Importantly its sex chromosome dependence, late embryonic/fetal differential development, complex morphogenic changes, long time-course, hormonal sensitivity and hormonal influences make it a system prone to many different abnormalities.
This current page provides only a general introduction to the topic, use the links listed below to read about specific developmental topics.
Some Recent Findings
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More recent papers |
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This table allows an automated computer search of the external PubMed database using the listed "Search term" text link.
More? References | Discussion Page | Journal Searches | 2019 References | 2020 References Search term: Genital Embryology <pubmed limit=5>Genital Embryology</pubmed> |
Textbooks
- Human Embryology (2nd ed.) Larson Chapter 10 p261-306
- The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology (6th ed.) Moore and Persaud Chapter 13 p303-346
- Before We Are Born (5th ed.) Moore and Persaud Chapter 14 p289-326
- Essentials of Human Embryology, Larson Chapter 10 p173-205
- Human Embryology, Fitzgerald and Fitzgerald Chapter 21-22 p134-152
- Developmental Biology (6th ed.) Gilbert Chapter 14 Intermediate Mesoderm
UNSW Students | |
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You have access the following online Embryology textbooks through the UNSW Library. | |
Moore, K.L. & Persuad, T.V.N. (2008). The Developing Human: clinically oriented embryology (8th ed.). Philadelphia: Saunders. | |
Schoenwolf, G.C., Bleyl, S.B., Brauer, P.R. and Francis-West, P.H. (2009). Larsen’s Human Embryology (4th ed.). New York; Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. |
Objectives
- Understand the role of the Y chromosome in sex determination.
- Understand the differences in male/female duct develpoment (mesonephric/paramesonephric).
- Compare the development of the cloaca in the male and female.
- Understand the developmental abnormalities in male and female development.
Movies
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Development Overview
Three main stages during development, mesonephric/paramesonephric duct changes are one of the first male/female differences that occur in development, while external genitaila remain indeterminate in appearance for quite a while.
- Differentiation of gonad (Sex determination)
- Differentiation of internal genital organs
- Differentiation of external genital organs
The 2nd and 3rd stages dependent on endocrine gonad. Reproductive development has a long maturation timecourse, begining in the embryo and finishing in puberty. (More? Puberty Development)
Gender by Ultrasound
A 2012 Czech ultrasound study[5] of 1222 singleton pregnancies has attempted to determine the earliest gestational age GA that fetal gender may reliably be determined. Their study concluded "when CRL ≥ 60 mm (gestational age ≥ 12+2). Male gender may already be reliably determined when CRL ≥ 55 mm (gestational age ≥ 12+0). If CRL < 50 mm (gestational age < 11+4) the gender cannot be reliably predicted."
- Links: Ultrasound
Sexual Development Genes
Table below modified from Table 1. Genes implicated in sexual development in mammals in recent review article.[6]
Gene (OMIM) | Protein Function | Gonad Phenotype of Null Mice | Human Syndrome | |
Bipotential gonad | ||||
Wt1 | Transcription factor | Blockage in genital ridge development | Denys-Drash, WAGR, Frasier syndrome | |
Sf1 | Nuclear receptor | Blockage in genital ridge development | Embryonic testicular regression syndrome | |
Lhx9 | Transcription factor | Blockage in genital ridge development | a | |
Emx2 | Transcription factor | Blockage in genital ridge development | a | |
M33 | Transcription factor | Gonadal dysgenesis | a | |
Testis-determining pathway | ||||
Gata4/Fog2 | Transcription/cofactor | Reduced Sry levels, XY sex reversal | a | |
Sry | Transcription factor | XY sex reversal | XY sex reversal (LOF); XX sex reversal (GOF) | |
Sox9 | Transcription factor | XY sex reversal | Campomelic dysplasia, XX sex reversal (GOF) | |
Sox8 | Transcription factor | XY sex reversal in combination with partial loss of Sox9 function | a | |
Fgf9 | Signaling molecule | XY sex reversal | a | |
Dax1 | Nuclear receptor | Impaired testis cord formation and spermatogenesis | Hypogonadism | |
Pod1 | Transcription factor | XY sex reversal | a | |
Dhh | Signaling molecule | Impaired differentiation of Leydig and PM cells | XY gonadal dysgenesis | |
Pgdra | Receptor | Reduction in mesonephric cell migration | a | |
Pgds | Enzyme | No phenotype | a | |
Arx | Transcription factor | Abnormal testicular differentiation | X-linked lissencephaly with abnormal genitalia | |
Atrx | Helicase | ND | ATRX syndrome | |
Insl3 | Signaling factor | Blockage of testicular descent | Cryptorchidism | |
Lgr8 | Receptor | Blockage of testicular descent | Cryptorchidism | |
Hoxa10 | Transcription factor | Blockage of testicular descent | Cryptorchidism | |
Hoxa11 | Transcription factor | Blockage of testicular descent | Cryptorchidism | |
Amh | Hormone | No Müllerian duct degeneration | Persistent Müllerian duct syndrome | |
Misrl1 | Receptor | No Müllerian duct degeneration | Persistent Müllerian duct syndrome | |
Pax2 | Transcription factor | Dysgenesis of mesonephric tubules | a | |
Lim1 | Transcription factor | Agenesis of Wolffian and Müllerian ducts | a | |
Dmrt1 | Transcription factor | Loss of Sertoli and germ cells | XY femaleb | |
Ovary-determining pathway | ||||
Wnt4 | Signaling molecule | Müllerian duct agenesis, testosterone synthesis, and coelomic vessel formation | XY female (GOF) | |
FoxL2 | Transcription factor | Premature ovarian failure | BPES | |
Dax1 | Nuclear receptor | XY sex reversal (GOF) | XY sex reversal (GOF) | |
RSPO1 | Signaling molecule | XX sex reversal (LOF) | XX sex reversal (LOF) | |
Table Legend | ||||
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a No mutations in human sexual disorders identified to date.
b Candidate gene for 9p deletion, XY sex reversal. | |||
Table data modified[7] |
Animal Models
Mouse
Mouse E11.0 to E12.0 shows the critical transition in the gonad from a bipotential to sexually-differentiated state. Based upon transcriptome analysis.[1]
Historic
See also section Historic Embryology Images.
Historic Images of Genital Changes
Urogenital indifferent | Urogenital male | Urogenital female |
Additional Images
Historic Embryology Images
Historic Disclaimer - information about historic embryology pages |
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Pages where the terms "Historic" (textbooks, papers, people, recommendations) appear on this site, and sections within pages where this disclaimer appears, indicate that the content and scientific understanding are specific to the time of publication. This means that while some scientific descriptions are still accurate, the terminology and interpretation of the developmental mechanisms reflect the understanding at the time of original publication and those of the preceding periods, these terms, interpretations and recommendations may not reflect our current scientific understanding. (More? Embryology History | Historic Embryology Papers) |
Keith, A. (1902) Human Embryology and Morphology. London: Edward Arnold.
Chapter 9 - The Uro-genital System
- The Uro-genital System: Fig. 79. Wolffian Body | Fig. 80. Wolffian and Genital Ridges | Fig. 81. Female Wolffian Body Remnants | Fig. 82. Male Wolffian Body Remnants |Fig. 83. Renal Bud | Fig. 84. Ureter in the Bladder | Fig. 85. Wolffian and Müllerian Ducts | Fig. 86. Genital Ducts 3rd month | Fig. 87. Müllerian Ducts 3rd month | Fig. 88. Uterus | Fig. 89. Uterus and Vagina | Fig. 90. Prostate remnants of Müllerian Ducts | Fig. 91. Prostate showing an unusual Uterus Masculinus | Fig. 92. Female Uro-genital Sinus | Fig. 93. Male Uro-genital Sinus | Fig. 94. Vagina and Uterus at 7th month | Fig. 95. Division of the Cloaca | Fig. 96. Imperforate Anus | Fig. 97. Cloacal Septum has failed to fuse with Perineal Septum | Fig. 98. The Uro-genital Cleft 2nd month | Fig. 99. Male bladder and urethra at birth | Fig. 100. Ectopia Vesicae | Fig. 101. Prostatic Tubules | Fig. 102. Testis in a foetus of 2£ months | Fig. 103. Testis at the 6th month | Fig. 104. Inguinal Canal and Coverings of the Testis | Fig. 105. Processus Vaginalis | Figures
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 <pubmed>23874228 </pubmed> Cite error: Invalid
<ref>
tag; name 'PMID23874228' defined multiple times with different content - ↑ <pubmed>20674196</pubmed>
- ↑ <pubmed>19906863</pubmed>
- ↑ <pubmed>19159697</pubmed>
- ↑ <pubmed>22660228</pubmed>| Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub.
- ↑ <pubmed>17237341</pubmed>| Physiol. Rev.
- ↑ Wilhelm D, Palmer S & Koopman P. (2007). Sex determination and gonadal development in mammals. Physiol. Rev. , 87, 1-28. PMID: 17237341 DOI.
Reviews
<pubmed>21465625</pubmed>
Articles
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Cite this page: Hill, M.A. (2024, June 19) Embryology Genital System Development. Retrieved from https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php/Genital_System_Development
- © Dr Mark Hill 2024, UNSW Embryology ISBN: 978 0 7334 2609 4 - UNSW CRICOS Provider Code No. 00098G