Editing Endocrine system (section)

====Female gonadal development====
For females, the [[Ovary|ovaries]] become morphologically visible by the 8th week of gestation. The absence of testosterone results in the diminution of the Wolffian structures. The Müllerian structures remain and develop into the fallopian tubes, uterus, and the upper region of the vagina. The [[urogenital sinus]] develops into the urethra and lower region of the vagina, the genital tubercle develops into the clitoris, the urogenital folds develop into the labia minora, and the urogenital swellings develop into the labia majora. At 16 weeks of gestation, the ovaries produce [[Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor|FSH]] and [[Luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor|LH/hCG receptors]]. At 20 weeks of gestation, the theca cell precursors are present and oogonia [[mitosis]] is occurring. At 25 weeks of gestation, the ovary is morphologically defined and [[folliculogenesis]] can begin.

Studies of [[gene expression]] show that a specific complement of genes, such as follistatin and multiple cyclin kinase inhibitors are involved in ovarian development. An assortment of genes and proteins - such as WNT4, RSPO1, FOXL2, and various estrogen receptors - have been shown to prevent the development of testicles or the lineage of male-type cells.