feminization /fem′inīzā″shən/ [L, femina, woman] , 1. the normal development or induction of female secondary sex characteristics. 2. the induction of female sex characteristics in a genotypic male. Compare virilization. See also pseudohermaphroditism. 3. testicular feminization in males with an X and a Y chromosome and a female phenotype caused by fetal hypogonadism. It is often familial. Individuals with this condition usually have undescended or labial testes, a short blind vaginal pouch, no uterus, well-developed breasts, sparse or absent axillary and pubic hair, normal plasma levels of testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone, and increased concentrations of estradiol and luteinizing hormone. 4. secondary female sex characteristics caused by an adrenocortical estrogen-secreting tumor, failure of the liver to inactivate endogenous estrogens such as in advanced alcoholism, or the administration of estrogen therapy for androgen-dependent neoplasms.
