Development of the reproductive organs.

Understanding of the development of the reproductive organs is essential to the evaluation of abnormalities in sexual differentiation. Recent advances resulting from application of genetic, biochemical, and ultrastructural techniques have helped to clarify the mechanisms regulating gonadal and reproductive tract development. The present review considers the major processes of sexual differentiation, development of the female reproductive system and development of the male reproductive system with emphasis on current understanding of basic regulatory mechanisms involved in normal and abnormal development of the reproductive organs.