Neurobiology of gender identity and sexual orientation
14 important questions on Neurobiology of gender identity and sexual orientation
What do you think defines your phenotypic sex (=physical state of gonads?)
- DNA is packed in chromosomes
- 23 pairs of chromosomes = 46 chromosomes
- 22 pairs of autosomal chromosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes
What role does the testis determining factor (TDF), also known as SRY (sex-determining region of the Y chromosome), play in the development of male gonadal tissues?
How do internal sex organs develop in early embryonic development, and what are the embryonic precursors for both female and male internal sex organs?
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What role do hormones, particularly those secreted by the testes, play in the development of internal sex organs, and how does the differentiation occur by the third month of embryonic development?
By the third month of embryonic development, only one of the embryonic precursors, either the Müllerian or Wolffian system, develops into internal sex organs. This determination is guided by the presence or absence of hormones secreted by the testes. The Müllerian system develops by default in the absence of hormonal stimulation, while the Wolffian system requires androgens from the testes for development. Therefore, the presence or absence of specific hormones, particularly androgens, plays a crucial role in the differentiation of internal sex organs during embryonic development.
Persistent Mullerian duct syndrome:
Sexual orientation = largely biologically determined
Explain 1 biological factor.
- Prenatal exposure to androgens
- Evidence suggests that prenatal androgens can affect social behavior and sexual orientation
Explain the 3 different lines of evidence of androgens.
- Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH):
- CAH, a condition involving excess androgen production during prenatal development, has been associated with variations in sexual orientation, supporting the idea of a biological influence.
- Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS):
- AIS, where cells are resistant to androgens, highlights that the body's sensitivity to these hormones is critical, providing evidence for the role of androgen response in sexual development.
- Other Markers for Prenatal Androgen Exposure:
- Various markers, such as finger length ratios and auditory processing mechanisms, serve as indirect indicators of prenatal androgen exposure, contributing to the evidence that biological factors influence sexual orientation.
Describe the impact of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) on sexual development, specifically focusing on the differences observed in boys and girls, and the increased likelihood of homo-/bisexuality in affected individuals.
Discuss the interplay between biology and societal influences in shaping children's toy preferences, citing evidence from studies on Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) and how it contributes to the understanding of sex differences in toy choices.
Children often show sex differences in behaviors, including toy preferences. On average, boys tend to prefer toys that can be used actively, especially those that move or can be propelled. Conversely, girls, on average, exhibit a more variable toy preference. While societal influences, including caregivers, peers, and societal expectations, strongly encourage 'sex-typical' toy choices through gendered socialization, evidence suggests that biology may play a role in these preferences. For example, studies show that baby boys often prefer to watch a moving mobile, while girls prefer to gaze at a female face, indicating early biological influences on visual preferences.
Androgen insensitvity syndrome. Caused by...
- Heterozygous XX females are carriers and are minimally affected
- XY individuals develop as females → external female genitalia, without uterus or fallopian tubes, with testis in abdomen
What was the initial report regarding the occurrence of bisexuality or homosexuality among XY women with Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS), and how is the absence of androgen effects on the brain associated with sexual orientation in AIS women?
Other markers for prenatal androgen exposure
(name 4)
- Otoacoustic emissions
- Finger length patterns
- Patterns of eye blinks
- Skeletal features
- All shows that woman with a homosexual orientation were on average exposed to slightly more fetal androgen that were heterosexual woman
Which % of people gender identity is consistent with their phenotypic sex? What if this is not?
1000000 dutch adults show some ambivalence reagerding their gender identity.
Transsexual: a transgendered person who seeks transition to the other sex (via hormone treatment and sex-reassignment surgery).
Are the effects of puberty suppresion between 12-16 reversible? What is the goal of this?
- prevent the appearance of difficult-to-reverse traits such as beard, breasts, low male voice, body shape.
- Provide time to make a balanced decision regarding actual gender reassignment
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