Embryology and control of fetal sex differentiation.

JOSSO,N.; REY, R.

Endocrinology, 5th. Ed.

Elsevier-Saunders

Lugar: Philadelphia, USA; Año: 2006; p. 2739 - 2748

Fetal sex differentiation can be defined as the acquisition of male or female characteristics in anlage which are initially similar regardless of  the genetic sex. Normally, genetic, gonadal, and somatic sex are coherent with one another and with the legal sex that is assigned to the neonate on the basis of external appearance ; if not, sex ambiguity results. A clear understanding of the mechanisms of normal sex differentiation is crucial to the analysis of intersex disorders and provides guidelines to adequate diagnosis and treatment.