Defeminization

Defeminization

Defeminization is a term in developmental biology, especially zoology, referring to an aspect of the process of sexual differentiation by which a potential female-specific structure, function, or behavior is prevented from developing by one of the processes of male development. Although the term might seem to imply "removal" of female characteristics, in nearly all biological contexts it refers to prevention of an aspect of female development from manifesting.

In human biology of gender, the best known example of this is the prevention of development of the müllerian duct derivatives by anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) in the 3rd and 4th months of fetal development, though the term is not commonly used in discussions of human development.

In a number of non-human mammals, there is evidence that hormones produced by the testes act directly on the brain to prevent development of female characteristics, especially female reproductive behavior.

See also


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • defeminization — (Amer.) n. removal of feminine characteristics (also defeminisation) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Defeminization and masculinization — are the processes that a fetus goes through to become a male. It has often been said that in sexual differentiation in mammals, the female is the default developmental pathway, in the sense that elimination of any of several gene actions… …   Wikipedia

  • defeminization — noun see defeminize …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • defeminization — n. * * * …   Universalium

  • defeminization — noun The process of defeminizing …   Wiktionary

  • defeminization — de·fem·i·ni·za·tion (de fem″ĭ nĭ zaґshən) loss of female secondary sex characters; see also masculinization (def. 2) …   Medical dictionary

  • defeminization — de·feminization …   English syllables

  • defeminization — (|)dē+ noun ( s) : loss of feminine qualities * * * n …   Useful english dictionary

  • Sexual differentiation — This article is about the development of sexual dimorphisms in humans. For sex differences for all animals, see Sexual dimorphism. Sexual differentiation is the process of development of the differences between males and females from an… …   Wikipedia

  • defeminize — transitive verb Date: 1907 to divest of feminine qualities or characteristics ; masculinize • defeminization noun …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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