No, typical humans do not produce both sperm and eggs. However, a rare condition called ovotesticular syndrome (OT-DSD) results in individuals being born with both ovarian and testicular tissue. While these individuals possess both types of gonadal tissue, it's crucial to understand that in most cases, only one type of tissue is functional. This means they may produce either eggs or sperm, but not both simultaneously and functionally.
Understanding Ovotesticular Syndrome
Ovotesticular syndrome, also known as ovotesticular disorder of sex development (OT-DSD), is a rare intersex condition. Individuals with OT-DSD have both ovarian and testicular tissue, but the functionality of each varies significantly. As noted in several sources, one type of tissue usually dominates, producing either eggs or sperm, not both simultaneously in a functional capacity. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ovotesticular_syndrome
While some sources mention synchronous hermaphrodites – animals capable of producing both sperm and eggs simultaneously – this is not typical in humans. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/hermaphroditism The functionality of the gonadal tissue in humans with OT-DSD needs individual assessment. There is no documented case of a human consistently producing functional eggs and sperm concurrently. https://skeptics.stackexchange.com/questions/53202/has-there-ever-been-documented-human-individual-producing-both-kinds-of-sex-cell
Key Differences: Human vs. Other Species
It is important to differentiate human reproduction from that of other species. Many animals, including some invertebrates and certain plant species, are hermaphrodites, naturally capable of producing both sperm and eggs. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/sexual-reproduction https://www.genome.gov/news/news-release/Study-shows-tiny-strange-marine-animal-produces-unlimited-eggs-sperm This is not the case for typical human development.
