ovotestis

[ oh-vuh-tes-tis ]

noun

, Zoology.

, plural o·vo·tes·tes [oh-v, uh, -, tes, -teez].

1. the hermaphroditic reproductive organ of some gastropods, containing both an ovary and a testis.

ovotestis

/ ˌəʊvəʊˈtɛstɪs /

noun

1. the reproductive organ of snails, which produces both ova and spermatozoa

Word History and Origins

Origin of ovotestis¹

1875–80; ovo- (irregular for ovi- ) + testis

Example Sentences

In 2011, researchers showed that if another key ovarian gene, RSPO1, is not working normally, it causes XX people to develop an ovotestis—a gonad with areas of both ovarian and testicular development.

From Scientific American

In 2011, researchers showed6 that if another key ovarian gene, RSPO1, is not working normally, it causes XX people to develop an ovotestis — a gonad with areas of both ovarian and testicular development.

From Nature

Sometimes, nature gets its wires crossed and the luckless infant develops one ovary and one testicle, or an intermediate type of "ovotestis." and some of the genital organs of both sexes.

From Time Magazine Archive