Defeminization
2201851
189946355
2008-02-08T12:51:39Z
Synthebot
3658625
robot Adding: [[es:Desfeminización]]
{{Unreferenced|date=October 2007}}
'''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 3<sup>rd</sup> and 4<sup>th</sup> months of [[fetus|fetal]] development, though the term is not commonly used in discussions of human development.
In a number of non-human [[mammal]]s, 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==
*[[Sexual differentiation]]
*[[Masculinization]]
[[Category:Biology of gender]]
[[Category:Sex]]
[[Category:Zoology]]
[[Category:Physiology]]
[[es:Desfeminización]]