Maternity Nursing Q 22

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To differentiate as a female, the hormonal stimulation of the embryo that must occur involves which of the following?

  

     A. Increase in maternal estrogen secretion

     B. Decrease in maternal androgen secretion.

     C. Secretion of androgen by the fetal gonad.

     D. Secretion of estrogen by the fetal gonad.

    

    

Correct Answer: D. Secretion of estrogen by the fetal gonad.

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The fetal gonad must secrete estrogen for the embryo to differentiate as a female.

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Option A: An increase in maternal estrogen secretion does not affect differentiation of the embryo, and maternal estrogen secretion occurs in every pregnancy.

Option B: Maternal androgen secretion remains the same as before pregnancy and does not affect differentiation.

Option C: Secretion of androgen by the fetal gonad would produce a male fetus.

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