A great deal is now known about the development of masculine characteristics. The [[process]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_differentiation sexual differentiation] specific to the reproductive system of Homo sapiens produces a female by default. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SRY_gene SRY gene] on the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Y_chromosome Y chromosome], however, interferes with the default process, causing a chain of [[events]] that, all things being equal, leads to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testes testes] formation, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Androgen androgen] production and a range of both natal and post-natal hormonal effects covered by the terms masculinization or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virilization virilization]. Because masculinization redirects [[biological]] [[processes]] from the default female route, it is more precisely called defeminization. | A great deal is now known about the development of masculine characteristics. The [[process]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_differentiation sexual differentiation] specific to the reproductive system of Homo sapiens produces a female by default. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SRY_gene SRY gene] on the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Y_chromosome Y chromosome], however, interferes with the default process, causing a chain of [[events]] that, all things being equal, leads to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testes testes] formation, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Androgen androgen] production and a range of both natal and post-natal hormonal effects covered by the terms masculinization or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virilization virilization]. Because masculinization redirects [[biological]] [[processes]] from the default female route, it is more precisely called defeminization. |