Male Reproductive System Embryology Questions

Female pseudo-intersex individuals have a 46, XX genotype. This condition is most commonly caused by congenital adrenal hyperplasia, in which the fetus produces excessive
amounts of androgens. The high androgen level will masculinize the female genitalia

The gene product that is coded on the short arm of the Y chromosome is called the TDF

Reduced levels of androgens during fetal development of an XY male fetus cause a feminization of the male external genitalia such that the baby can be phenotypically mistaken for female.
Parents raise the XY male baby as a girl until puberty or other medical problems bring the child
to medical attention.

This is a classic case of testicular feminization syndrome. A karyotype analysis would reveal
that this normal-appearing 17-year-old girl actually has a 46, XY genotype. The mobile masses
within the right and left labia majora are the testes and should be surgically removed because
this tissue has a propensity toward malignant tumor formation. The most common cause of
this syndrome is a lack of androgen receptors in the phallus, urogenital folds, and labioscrotal
swellings.

Male pseudo-intersex individuals have a 46, XY genotype. This condition is most commonly
caused by inadequate production of testosterone and MIF by the fetal testes. The low testosterone and MIF levels will stunt the development of the male genitalia.

Failure of the urethral folds to fuse completely results in the external urethral orifice opening
onto the ventral surface of the penis, a condition known as hypospadias.

The most common cause of testicular feminization syndrome is the lack of androgen receptors in the urogenital folds and labioscrotal swellings. Because these tissues lack androgen receptors, they are blind or unresponsive to androgens. Consequently, these tissues develop into
female external genitalia even though the fetus has a 46, XY genotype.

Sterility is a common result of bilateral cryptorchidism. When both testes fail to descend into
the scrotum, the increased temperature to which they are exposed in the abdominal cavity will
inhibit spermatogenesis.