Sexual Development in Marsupial Pouch Young

Abstract

In mammals, sexual differentiation proceeds by two mechanisms: genetically determined differentiation of the indifferent gonad into a testis or an ovary, followed by extensive modifications of the internal and external genitalia in the male in response to sex-specific hormones secreted by the testis. Marsupials appear to conform to this general mammalian pattern, but differ in the timing of events. Gonadal differentiation takes place after birth in marsupials, thereby making them ideal animals for the experimental investigation of sexual differentiation.