Sexual Differentiation and Gametogenesis

This module introduces the fundamental physiological processes underlying sexual differentiation and gametogenesis—the formation and maturation of male and female gametes. It explores how genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors influence sexual development from the embryonic stage to reproductive maturity.

Students will gain an understanding of the mechanisms that determine sex, the development of the gonads and internal/external genitalia, and the cyclical processes of spermatogenesis and oogenesis that sustain fertility. The module also highlights the endocrine regulation of these processes and their clinical correlations, such as disorders of sexual development and infertility.

By integrating molecular, anatomical, and physiological perspectives, this topic forms the foundation for understanding human reproductive endocrinology and the physiological basis of reproduction.