Genital System Development
Introduction
The male and female reproductive systems develop initially "indifferently", it is the product of the Y chromosome SRY gene that makes the "difference". Mesonephric duct (Wolffian Duct) and paramesonephric (Müllerian Duct) contribute the majority of male and female internal genital tract respectively.
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.
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Some Recent Findings
- Male reproductive tract abnormalities: More common after assisted reproduction?[1] "IVF and ICSI, by increasing the risks of prematurity, low birthweight, and multiple gestation, are indirect risk factors for developing male genital malformations. In infants with normal birhtweight or from singleton pregnancies, ICSI is a specific risk factor for hypospadias."
- Bmp7 expression and null phenotype in the urogenital system suggest a role in re-organization of the urethral epithelium. [2] "Signaling by Bone morphogenetic proteins (Bmps) has multiple and diverse roles in patterning and morphogenesis of the kidney, eye, limbs and the neural tube. ...Together, our analysis of Bmp7 expression and the null phenotype, indicates that Bmp7 may play an important role in re-organization of the epithelium during cloacal septation and morphogenesis of the genital tubercle."
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
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.
Computer Activities
Movies
Genital development animations
Urogenital Sinus | Urogenital Septum | ||
Uterus | Female External | Male External | Testis Descent |
Primordial germ cell migration (mouse)
Migration 1 | Migration 2 | Migration 3 |
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)
Historic Images of Genital Changes
Urogenital indifferent | Urogenital male | Urogenital female |
References
Reviews
Articles
Search PubMed
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- Genital System Development - All (868) Review (212) Free Full Text (170)
- Genital Development - All (5365) Review (1170) Free Full Text (1024)
Search Pubmed: Genital System Development | Genital Development
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Cite this page: Hill, M.A. (2024, June 16) 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