gonadal

Gonadal is an adjective referring to the gonads, the primary reproductive glands in many organisms. In humans and other mammals, the gonads are the ovaries and testes. They produce gametes (eggs or sperm) and secrete sex hormones that regulate development and reproduction.

Gonadal development occurs during embryogenesis, with genetic and hormonal signals guiding the formation and differentiation of ovaries versus testes. The hormones produced by the gonads, such as estrogens, progestogens, and androgens, influence puberty, secondary sexual characteristics, fertility, and bone health.

Clinically, the term is used to describe conditions affecting the gonads or their function, including hypogonadism, gonadal dysgenesis, gonadal tumors, and disorders of sex development. Diagnosis often involves hormonal assays, imaging studies, and sometimes genetic testing.

The word gonadal derives from Greek roots related to seed or offspring, reflecting the gonads’ role in reproduction. While widely used in human medicine, the term also appears in comparative anatomy and veterinary contexts to describe gonadal tissues in other species.

Gonadal biology informs endocrinology, reproductive medicine, and developmental biology.