Developmental Changes in Paramesonephric and Mesonephric Ducts and the External Genitalia in Swine Fetuses during Sexual Differentiation

Abstract

The paramesonephric (Mullerian) duct was first observed in the vicinity of the mesonephric (Wolffian) duct in 30-day-old swine fetuses of both sexes at the level close to the gonad. The paramesonephric duct extended caudally in parallel with the mesonephric duct on day 35 of gestation. By day 40 the paramesonephric duct reached the urogenital sinus. At this stage, the paramesonephric duct began to degenerate in the male, while it continued to develop in the female. This suggests that an anti-Mullerian duct hormone (AMH) is produced before day 40 of gestation. By day 45 of gestation, the mesonephric duct began to decrease in diameter and was accompanied with the involution of the mesonephros in both sexes. By day 60, the male and female mesonephric ducts reduced in their diameter by 70%. Thereafter, the female mesonephric ducts disappeared, while the male ducts developed again. The sex difference was first observed on day 35 in the differentiation of the external genitalia when a small circular urogenital orifice and the anogenital raphe appeared at the sites caudal to the genital tubercle in the male. Such structures were not present in the female. These results suggest that the fetal pig testis is activated to secrete androgen before day 35 of gestation.