Insights into the aetiology of ovotesticular DSD from studies of mouse ovotestes

Abstract

In mammals, Sry (sex-determining region Y gene) is the master regulator of male sex determination. It induces a cascade of gene expression that regulates the differentiation of the bipotential genital ridges into testicular tissue. In the absence of Sry, or if SRY function is impaired, the genital ridges develop into ovaries. Subsequently, hormones produced by the testes and ovaries direct the differentiation of all secondary sexual characteristics (for review, see Wilhelm and Koopman [1]). © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.