testisvorming

Testisvorming, also known as testicular development or organogenesis of the testis, is the complex biological process by which the testes form in male mammals. This crucial developmental stage begins early in embryonic development and continues through puberty.

The process is initiated by the presence of the SRY gene on the Y chromosome, which triggers the differentiation of the indifferent gonad into a testis. Without the SRY gene, the gonad would develop into an ovary. Following the activation of SRY, the primitive gonadal cords within the developing testis proliferate and organize. These cords will eventually contain Sertoli cells and germ cells. Leydig cells, responsible for testosterone production, arise from the interstitial cells surrounding the cords.

During fetal development, the testes descend from their initial abdominal position. This descent is guided by the gubernaculum, a fibrous cord that contracts and pulls the testes down through the inguinal canal and into the scrotum. This migration is essential for maintaining the optimal temperature for sperm production later in life.

After birth, testicular development enters a quiescent phase until puberty. At puberty, hormonal changes, primarily driven by gonadotropins from the pituitary gland, stimulate the maturation of the seminiferous tubules and the initiation of spermatogenesis, the process of sperm production. This ongoing development ensures reproductive capability.