Gonad 83835 222002295 2008-06-27T02:21:49Z Discospinster 82432 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]] [[de:Gonade]] [[et:Sugunääre]] [[es:Gónada]] [[fr:Gonade]] [[io:Gonado]] [[it:Gonadi]] [[lt:Lytinė liauka]] [[mk:Гонада]] [[nl:Gonade]] [[no:Gonade]] [[pl:Gonada]] [[pt:Gónada]] [[ru:Гонада]] [[simple:Gonad]] [[sl:Spolna žleza]] [[fi:Sukupuolirauhaset]] [[sv:Könskörtel]] [[th:ต่อมบ่งเพศ]]