Physiology 2130 Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: Ejaculatory Duct, Vas Deferens, Male Reproductive System
7 Aug 2018
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Document Summary
Describe the fetal development of the male and female reproductive systems. The sex chromosomes consist of a large x chromosome and a smaller y chromosome: all eggs contain an x chromosome while the sperm can carry either an x or y chromosome. The sex of the future baby is determined at the site of fertilization. If the sperm carrying the x chromosome penetrates the egg, then a female will develop (xx) If the sperm is carrying the y chromosome then a male will develop (xy) In males: at ~6-7 weeks the presence of the y chromosome causes the indifferent gonads to develop onto testes. In females: at ~9 weeks the xx chromosomes are activated, and ovaries develop. In the developing female, there is no mih, so the mullerian tube developed into the fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix and part of the vagina: testosterone is not produced, so the wolffian duct regresses and female external genitalia develop.
