Gonad
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2008-06-27T02:21:49Z
Discospinster
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Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/24.23.186.106|24.23.186.106]] to last version by Discospinster (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]])
The '''gonad''' is the organ that makes [[gamete]]s. The gonads in males are the [[testes]] and the gonads in [[females]] are the [[ovaries]]. The product, gametes, are [[haploid]] germ cells. For example, [[spermatozoon]] and [[ovum|egg]] cells are gametes. Although medically the gonad term can refer to either male gonads ([[testicle]]s) or female gonads ([[ovary|ovaries]]), the [[vernacular]], or [[slang]] use of "gonads" (or "nads") usually only refers to the testicles.
==Function==
In addition to producing gametes, the gonads are a combined [[gland]]s providing both [[exocrine]] and [[endocrine]] functions. The male and female '''gonads''' produce [[steroid]] sex hormones, identical to those producted by adrenal cortical cells. The major distinction is the source and relative amounts produced.
==Testes==
{{Main|Testicle}}
The male gonads, known as the testes or testicles, secrete a class of hormones called [[androgens]], and produce [[Spermatozoon|spermatozoa]]. The predominant androgen in males is [[testosterone]].
==Regulation==
The gonads are controlled hormonally by [[luteinizing hormone]] (LH) and [[follicle-stimulating hormone]] (FSH) secreted by the [[anterior pituitary gland]]. The anterior pituitary gland's excretion of LH and FSH are, in turn, controlled by the [[hypothalamus]]' [[gonadotropin-releasing hormone]].
==Development==
{{Main|Development of the gonads}}
Gonads start developing as a common [[Anlage (biology)|anlage]], in the form of [[gonadal ridge]]s, and only later are differentiated to male or female [[sex organ]]s. The [[SRY]] [[gene]], located on the [[Y chromosome]] and encoding the [[testis determining factor]], decides the direction of this differentiation.
In 1943, [[Matthew Browne]] started a development of gonads in a part of the [[development of the urinary and reproductive organs]]. {{Fact|date=October 2007}}
[[Category:Glands]]
[[Category:Endocrine system]]
[[Category:Reproductive system]]
[[ca:Gònada]]
[[da:Gonade]]
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[[et:Sugunääre]]
[[es:Gónada]]
[[fr:Gonade]]
[[io:Gonado]]
[[it:Gonadi]]
[[lt:Lytinė liauka]]
[[mk:Гонада]]
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[[pl:Gonada]]
[[pt:Gónada]]
[[ru:Гонада]]
[[simple:Gonad]]
[[sl:Spolna žleza]]
[[fi:Sukupuolirauhaset]]
[[sv:Könskörtel]]
[[th:ต่อมบ่งเพศ]]