SRY gene
Male-making gene
The SRY gene, located on the Y chromosome, is the master switch for male sex determination in mammals.
Its name stands for "sex-determining region Y," and when present and functioning, it triggers the development of testes in an embryo that would otherwise develop female characteristics.
Mutations or absence of the SRY gene can result in individuals with XY chromosomes developing as female, while its rare translocation to an X chromosome can cause XX individuals to develop male characteristics.
- Y chromosomeMale sex determinant
- testisMale reproductive gland
- maleSperm-producing sex
- sex determinationEstablishing male or female status
- testosteroneChief male sex hormone
XY · gonad · masculinization · embryo · development · gender · intersex · mammal · puberty · fertility · genital · fetal · mutation · chromosomal · differentiation
- sex geneticssex chromosomes, X chromosome, Y chromosome, sex determination, dosage compensation
- intersexintersex, hermaphrodite, hermaphroditism, sex chromosomes, mosaicism
- Y chromosomehaplogroups