BIOL10210 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Fetus, Paramesonephric Duct, Ejaculatory Duct
Document Summary
So these two examples support our hypothesis that the sry gene is responsible for sex differentiation. Male sry gene activated at 7 weeks. Once the gonad begins to develop as a testis, the two support cells in the testis differentiate and begin to generate important regulatory molecules the direct sexual differentiation. The leydig cells produce testosterone, which promotes development of the wolffian ducts. The wolffian ducts differentiate to form the epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, and ejaculatory ducts. The sertoli cells produce mullerian inhibiting substance (mis; also known as anti-mullerian hormone, amh) a peptide hormone that causes the mullerian ducts to regress. Female system begins development if no male hormone by week 9. Female development proceeds when there is an absence of the sry gene. The wolffian ducts regress, and the mullerian ducts persist, developing into the fallopian tubes, the uterus and the upper part of the vagina.
