Final answer:
The Wolffian and Müllerian ducts are embryonic structures that develop into male and female reproductive systems, respectively, driven by hormonal signals. The Wolffian ducts form male reproductive parts, while the Müllerian ducts develop into the female reproductive tract. .
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between Wolffian and Müllerian refers to two separate duct systems in embryonic development that give rise to different reproductive structures depending on whether the offspring develops as male or female.
The Wolffian ducts are associated with male development and result in the formation of internal male reproductive structures such as the epididymis, vas deferens, and seminal vesicles.
On the other hand, the Müllerian ducts pertain to female development and evolve into the uterus, uterine tubes, and portions of the vagina.
Hormonal signals such as testosterone and secretions from sustentacular cells determine the degradation of the opposing duct system (Müllerian ducts in males, Wolffian ducts in females) to ensure proper sexual differentiation.
For example, during male fetal development, the Wolffian ducts transform into the male reproductive tract, while the Müllerian ducts degenerate.
The reverse occurs during female fetal development, where the Müllerian ducts form the female reproductive system, and the Wolffian ducts atrophy.
These developmental processes are crucial for ensuring that the resulting organism has a functional reproductive system in adulthood.
The presence of sustentacular cell secretions and hormones like testosterone determines which duct system will develop and which will degrade, thus guiding the sexual differentiation of the fetus.