Human sex differentiation: From transcription factors to gender

Over the past decade, knowledge of the genetic control of human sex differe ntiation has greately expanded our understanding of the developmental proce sses needed to form a male or female. The purpose of this review is to disc uss how transcription factors are relevant to such processes. Additionally, an attempt is made to relate current knowledge of these factors with gende r development of subjects with intersex conditions. Finally, we discuss how information about the genetic control of sex differentiation may contribut e to decisions about medical treatment of individuals with conditions of ab normal sex differentiation. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG. Basel.