[Sexual dimorphism in developmental genetics].
We review the current knowledge about the molecular mechanism of sex determination and differentiation. The first sex-specific differentiation starts at the gonad, which in turns influences the development of sexual duct systems and the external genitalia. The secondary sexual characteristics in puberty complete sexual dimorphism. Recent studies have provided compelling evidence for the presence of an alternative "backdoor pathway" to produce dihydrotestosterone(DHT: the most potent androgen) directly without testosterone intermediary. This pathway primarily is operated in the normal fetal testis to produce a sufficient amount of DHT for male sex development. As for ovary development, which had formerly been regarded as a static "default" pathway, recent studies have unequivocally demonstrated that RSPO1, WNT4, and FOXL2 have important roles.
Koji
K
Muroya
Tomonobu
T
Hasegawa
D001827:Body Height; D041321:Chromosomes, Human, X; D041322:Chromosomes, Human, Y; D005260:Female; D006066:Gonads / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011627:Puberty; D012733:Sex Differentiation