Endocrine - Gonad Development
Introduction
The term gonad refers to both the female ovary and the male testis. This section of notes refers only to the development of the gonad as an endocrine organ. A detailed description of the gonad development is covered in both Ovary Development and Testis Development.
Embryonically, initial endocrine development of the testis is required for development of both the internal genital tract and the external genitalia.
Postnatally, the gonads are part of an integrated Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Gonad (HPG) axis.
| Lecture - Genital Development
HPG Axis - Endocrinology - Simplified diagram of the actions of gonadotrophins
Gonad Development
- mesoderm - mesothelium and underlying mesenchyme, primordial germ cells
- Gonadal ridge - mesothelium thickening, medial mesonephros
- Primordial Germ cells - yolk sac, to mesentery of hindgut, to genital ridge of developing kidney
Differentiation
- testis-determining factor (TDF) from Y chromosome: presence (testes), absence (ovaries)
Testis
- 8 Weeks, mesenchyme, interstitial cells (of Leydig) secrete testosterone, androstenedione
- 8 to 12 Weeks - hCG stimulates testosterone production
- Sustentacular cells - produce anti-mullerian hormone to puberty
Ovary
- X chromosome genes regulate ovary development
Steroidogenesis
Adult Histology
References
Reviews
Articles
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Cite this page: Hill, M.A. (2024, June 15) Embryology Endocrine - Gonad Development. Retrieved from https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php/Endocrine_-_Gonad_Development
- © Dr Mark Hill 2024, UNSW Embryology ISBN: 978 0 7334 2609 4 - UNSW CRICOS Provider Code No. 00098G