Ovotestes
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General Information
Someone with this intersex variation is born with both testicular and ovarian tissue. This can occur due to a chromosomal variation such as chimerism or mosaicism, however most people who have both testicular and ovarian tissue have XX chromosomes (though some may have XY).
The body of someone with this variation can develop one ovary and one testis, or may develop one or more ovotestes. Ovotestes being a single gonad that is made up of ovarian and testicular cells together. The levels of hormones that they produce can vary, as well as how their genitals and secondary sex characteristics develop will depend partially on the levels of testosterone and estrogen that their bodies make.
Someone with this variation may be born with genitals that look more like a penis, more like a vulva, or have visible variations. During puberty, they may develop features associated with either a typical testosterone-based puberty, or a typical estrogen-based puberty, or they may develop some features of each. Sometimes, they may be able to produce both viable sperm and viable eggs.
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