FIGURE 7. Female sex determination.

Like in the male, general transcription factors, as LHX1, EMX2 and PAX2, are necessary for intermediate mesoderm development. The gonadal ridge differentiates from the intermediate mesoderm following the action of SF1, LHX9 and WT1. WNT4, FST, RSPO1 and β-Catenin should be expressed to antagonize testis differentiation and promote early ovarian differentiation. Germ cell development (dependent on BMP family members, KIT ligand and and its receptor C-KIT, WNT4, FST, retinoic acid and its receptors, the existence of two X chromosomes as well as several factors like DAZLA, MSH5, STRA8 and DMC1) are essential for fetal ovary stabilization. A number of other factors are involved in early folliculogenesis (FOXL2, neurotrophins and neurotrophin tyrosine kinase receptors, FIGα, NOBOX, SOHLH and members of the TGFβ family like GDF9, AMH and BMP15).