Recent evidence suggest that estrogens along with androgens are necessary for male sexual differentiation, augmenting Jost’s original hypothesis. To better understand the mechanism of action of androgens and estrogens in human genital development, we undertook an investigation to define the precise location of the androgen receptor (AR), estrogen receptors alpha (ERα) and beta (ERβ) in the developing human penis and clitoris using scanning electron microscopy, optical projection tomography and immunohistochemical staining.

AR, ERα and ERβ are all expressed to varying degrees and locations in the developing penis and clitoris. The location of the AR expression in close proximity to the urethral groove and in the area of formation of the penile and glanular urethra supports the role of androgens as necessary for normal male urethral fusion and development. The expression of ERα and ERβ to the epithelial cells of the preputial lamina and area of canalization and remodeling of the glanular urethra plate is consistent with the possible role of estrogens in normal development. Our data is also consistent with the hypothesis that disruption of the AR, ERα and ERβ can lead to under virilization of the penis and hypospadias by effecting fusion of the penile urethra and remodeling of the glanular urethra.

最近的证据表明，雌激素和雄激素是男性进行性别分化的必要条件，这增强了约斯特最初的假设。为了更好地了解雄激素和雌激素在人类生殖器发育中的作用机制，我们进行了一项调查，以定义雄激素受体（AR），雌激素受体α（ERα）和β（ERβ）在发育中的人类阴茎和子宫中的精确位置。阴蒂使用扫描电子显微镜，光学投影层析成像和免疫组化染色。

AR，ERα和ERβ在发育中的阴茎和阴蒂中都有不同程度和位置的表达。AR表达在尿道沟附近以及在阴茎和肾小道的形成区域中的位置支持雄激素的作用，这是正常男性尿道融合和发育所必需的。ERα和ERβ在上皮层的上皮细胞中的表达以及肾小管板的根管化和重塑区域与雌激素在正常发育中的可能作用相一致。我们的数据也与以下假设相吻合：AR，ERα和ERβ的破坏可通过影响阴茎尿道融合和肾小球尿道重构而导致阴茎和尿道下裂的病毒化不足。