title: The game plan: cellular and molecular mechanisms of mammalian testis development.
abstract: In mammals, biological differences between males and females, which influence many aspects of their physical, social, and psychological environments, are solely determined genetically. In the presence of a Y chromosome, the gonadal primordium will differentiate into a testis, whereas in the absence of the Y chromosome an ovary will develop. Testis and ovary subsequently direct the differentiation of all secondary sex characteristics down the male and female pathway, respectively. The male-determining factor on the Y chromosome, SRY, was identified some 20 years ago. Since then, significant progress has been made toward understanding the molecular and cellular pathways that result in the formation of a testis. Here, we review what is known about testis differentiation in mice and humans, with reference to other species where appropriate.
authors.affiliation: Division of Molecular Genetics and Development, Institute for Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Elanor N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Wainwright
authors.forename: Dagmar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wilhelm
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D019070:Cell Lineage; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009024:Morphogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D055758:SOX9 Transcription Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D051876:Sex-Determining Region Y Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D055758:SOX9 Transcription Factor; D051876:Sex-Determining Region Y Protein