Mammals

[InnerRebellion]

Ok. I'm in a debate with one of my more intelligent friends. I say all mammals start off female (which explains the presence of nipples on males). He says they do not. Care to choose a side?

 

[Stoic raptor]

You are right. Scientist found this out a long time ago. A baby start out female in the womb, then goes on to be a boy if it was ment to be one. Its not like a baby starts with a vagina then have it morph into a penis, but babies start out female.

EDIT: this is about humans. I dont know about other animals, I assume its different with each species. Gorilla males have nipples, but male dogs dont.

 

[CK76]

They start off neutral until testosterone comes in and alters development to males, without it development continues on course to females.

So, the issue is if gender can be defined at such an early stage.

 

[Kasawd]

I do believe your friend is correct. I remember learning something to the tune of that in Biology.

 

[MagicMouse]

Each new organism starts off with a set of chromosomes. The females have XX the males have XY. Thus, from the beginning they are completely different from the most basic composition.

 

[silver wolf009]

Humans yes not all that sure about the others.

 

[DefunctTheory]

Each new organism starts off with a set of chromosomes. The females have XX the males have XY. Thus, from the beginning they are completely different from the most basic composition.

This. Genetically male, physically female.

 

[Eliam_Dar]

I disagree, since you are genetically male or woman since conception.

 

[Necator15]

It's really a problem of definition of sex while in the womb. I suppose if you really want to get into it, sex can't be defined until we can consider the fetus a person, and I can't remember when that is, so I'm undecided on the debate.

 

[Koeryn]

Google is your friend.

 

[Binerexis]

It was my understanding that a baby in the womb has both ovaries and testicles and it's the release of hormones in the baby's development that determines its final sex. Wouldn't that mean we start as hermaphrodites?

 

[ma55ter_fett]

I disagree, since you are genetically male or woman since conception.

I agree with the above statement.

I clasify gender in humans on a chromosomal basis. If you have one Y chromosome then you're a male, If you have no Y then you're female.

Well, I can't speak for all mammals, but I know that humans definitely start as female in the womb. So humans, yes, all mammals, not sure.

Based on what?

 

[mad825]

*long sighing whistle*
thats going back to the eutherians however might have not used tits (milking/feeding mechanisms to the young)because they might have not been needed or they were unable to develop until later on the evolutionary development
think about this, were they developed during the terapods might also be another question
so think about that.

 

[T3hMonk3y]

You are right. Scientist found this out a long time ago. A baby start out female in the womb, then goes on to be a boy if it was ment to be one. Its not like a baby starts with a vagina then have it morph into a penis, but babies start out female.

EDIT: this is about humans. I dont know about other animals, I assume its different with each species. Gorilla males have nipples, but male dogs dont.

Male dogs do just a heads up, i think its right for most mammals but im not shure abotu dolphins