OVARIAN INFLUENCES ON FEMALE DEVELOPMENT - REVOLUTIONARY OR EVOLUTIONARY

The Fitch & Denenberg target article focuses almost exclusively on sho rt gestation mammals, which differ substantially from long-gestation m ammals in the timing and type of hormonal contribution to their sexual differentiation. Conclusions regarding the role of ovaries in female sexual differentiation may accordingly apply to only a limited number of species. Specific criticisms of the organizational effects of hormo nes stem from an incomplete reading of the original literature. The me chanisms proposed in this target article reflect an extension of the p rinciple of hormonal organization, not a revolutionary restructuring.