feminization

feminization /fem·i·ni·za·tion/ (fem″ĭ-nĭ-za´shun)

1. the normal development of primary and secondary sex characters in females.

2. the induction or development of female secondary sex characters in the male.

---

testicular feminization  complete androgen resistance.

---

fem·i·ni·za·tion (fm-n-zshn)

n.

The acquisition of female characteristics by the male.

---

femi·nize (-nz) v.

---

feminization

[fem′inīzā′shən]

Etymology: L, femina, woman

1 the normal development or induction of female secondary sex characteristics.

2 the induction of female sex characteristics in a genotypic male. Testicular feminization may be caused by the inability of target tissues to respond to endogenous or administered androgen. Some cases seem related to an absent or inadequate conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, which is the active form of the androgen. Testicular feminization in males with an X and a Y chromosome and a female phenotype may be caused by fetal hypogonadism and is often familial. Individuals with this defect usually have undescended or labial testes, a short blind vaginal pouch; no uterus, well-developed breasts, sparse or absent axillary and pubic hair, normal plasma levels of testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone, and increased concentrations of estradiol and luteinizing hormone. Treatment consists of orchiectomy because of the risk of cancer in gonads of these patients. Feminization may also be caused by adrenocortical estrogen-secreting tumor, failure of the liver to inactivate endogenous estrogens such as in advanced alcoholism, or the administration of estrogen therapy for androgen-dependent neoplasms. Some testicular tumors may produce feminizing symptoms, and gynecomastia may be caused by Klinefelter's syndrome and by certain drugs, such as reserpine, digitalis, meprobamate, and cimetidine. Compare virilization. See also pseudohermaphroditism.

---

feminization

1. the normal induction or development of female sex characters.

2. the induction or development of female secondary sex characters in the male, e.g. in testicular sertoli cell tumor.

---

testicular feminization

a condition in which the subject is phenotypically female, but lacks nuclear sex chromatin and is of XY chromosomal sex.

---

feminization

Endocrinology The development of ♀ secondary sex characteristics in a genotypic ♂, with regression of body hair and change to a ♀ body contour. See Testicular feminization Social medicine The shift in the demographics of a particular profession or type of work. See Occupational feminization.