Sex determination

Primary sex determination

The determination of the gonads in mammals, which is strictly chromosomal and not usually influenced by the environment. In most cases, females have XX chromosomes and males have XY chromosomes.

Secondary sex determination

The determination of the bodily phenotype outside of the gonads, such as the development of sex-specific characteristics like the penis in males and the vagina in females. This process is usually influenced by hormones secreted from the gonads.

Halliwick method

A method used in aquatic therapy to improve balance restoration and trunk muscle activation. It focuses on exercises that involve sagittal rotation control, longitudinal rotation control, transversal rotation control, and combined rotation control.

WATSU

A body-based method used in aquatic therapy that involves buoyancy, passive stretching, and massage techniques. It includes massage and palpation of acupuncture points administered in warm water.

Trunk-specific exercises

Exercises performed in aquatic therapy that specifically target and activate the muscles of the trunk, with the goal of improving gait parameters in stroke patients.

Testis-determining factor

A gene carried on the Y chromosome that encodes a factor responsible for organizing the gonad into a testis rather than an ovary. It plays a crucial role in determining male sex in mammals.

Estrogen

A hormone produced by the ovaries that enables the development of the Müllerian duct into the uterus, oviducts, and upper end of the vagina in females.

Anti-Müllerian duct hormone (AMH)

A hormone secreted by the fetal testes that destroys the Müllerian duct in males, preventing the development of female reproductive structures.

Testosterone

A hormone secreted by the fetal testes that masculinizes the fetus and stimulates the formation of male reproductive structures, such as the penis and scrotum.

Bipotential gonad

The stage of gonadal development in mammals where the gonad has neither female nor male characteristics. It is the precursor to the development of either an ovary or a testis.