Prenatal Androgen Model Essay

Dr. Money developed a theory that argued while genetics are important, a baby is born neutral in regards to gender for the first few years of life and during this time the child’s environment would determine their ultimate masculinity or femininity. Money derived this theory from his research on intersex individuals, but the outcomes of these studies cannot be correlated to this type of case. This

Laboratory Report/ Miranda Tefft/ Homeostatic Imbalances of Thyroid Function/ Aline Potvin/ 11.18.2014/ Page [2] of [3]

A pattern emerges where the scholarly literature exploring this topic is largely focused on males. Reason being is that it appears that males are the sex who are predominantly homosexual in their orientation (LeVay & Baldwin, 2012). However, the sensitivity within the discourse of sexual orientation arises when it is debated upon whether one 's sexual preference is innate at birth, hence a force of nature or biology, or if it is a result of culture, nurture or environmental factors (Emmanuele et al., 2010). Furthermore, an experimental design will be proposed to further examine this topic. Comparing the three chosen studies, it is evident that a biological and endocrinological perspective does account for sexual orientation (Kraemer et al., 2006; Manning et al., 2007; Miller et al., 2008). Of the studies that currently exist on this topic, data shows that prenatal testosterone levels are indicative of sexual orientation (Kraemer et al., 2006; Manning et al., 2007; Miller et al., 2008). This paper addresses a topic that is relevant in today 's society; a topic that has, for the most part, been written off as having any scientific roots (Emmanuele et al., 2010). This paper counters that belief and in reading this essay, it will be evident that biology and endocrinology have a much stronger influence on sexual orientation than previously thought.

A different possibility is that prenatal hormone levels influence the developing fetus (Levay, 2011). According to the prenatal hormonal theory of homosexuality, some male fetuses are exposed to too little testosterone. Similarly, some female fetuses are exposed to too much testosterone. These differences, in turn, can impact sexual orientation (Mustanski, Chivers, & Bailey, 2002). Regardless, homosexuality is not caused by hormone imbalances in adulthood; the hormone levels of most gay men and lesbians are within the normal range (Banks & Gartrell, 1995).

Week 3 – LOM Assignment The thyroid is responsible for taking iodine and converting it into thyroid hormones which are released into the blood stream and transported throughout the body where they control metabolism.1 The thyroid is a vital part of the human body as every cell in the body depends on it for metabolic regulation. Too much or too little thyroid hormone secretion can result in hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is caused when the thyroid secretes too many thyroid hormones. Hyperthyroidism causes a rapid heart rate, elevated blood pressure and tremors. Other symptoms include increased nervousness, inability to concentrate, weakness, restlessness, difficulty sleeping, frequent bowel movements, weight loss and irregular

The idea of human traits and physical characteristics being masculine or feminine has always been socially constructed, however, there is no denying that men and women look different. The different physical attributes a male and a female have are due to the hormones in their bodies. The novella “Houston, Houston, Do You Read?” by James Tiptree Jr. presents a man named Andy. Andy was born biologically female, however, went under androgen therapy in order to present masculine and physically be fully male. Andy’s masculine features are attributed to this process, even though they do not typically correlate with the sex Andy was assigned at birth. Many see this technology as far-fetched and fiction because of it’s prevalence in Tiptree Jr’s wild

TSH not only stimulates the thyroid gland to churn out more hormones. If in excess, can cause overwhelming cell growth and division to result in goiter.

The thyroid gland is the gland that makes and stores hormones that help regulate the heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and metabolism. Thyroid hormones are essential for the function of every cell in the body. They help regulate growth and the rate of chemical reactions in the body. Thyroid hormones also help children grow and develop. The thyroid gland is located in the lower part of the neck, below the Adam's apple, wrapped around the trachea. It has the shape of a butterfly with two lobes attached to one another by a middle part called the isthmus. The thyroid uses iodine, a mineral found in some foods and in iodized salt, to make its hormones. The two most important thyroid hormones are thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine

The next study was conducted by Michael G. Dupree et al. in the year of 2003,  where they studied to see if the gene, Aromatase cytochrome P450 (CYP19), affected sexual orientation during development since it changes the levels of androgens and estrogens. Studies have shown that developing male brains are sexually altered by the hormones secreted by the fetal testes (DuPree et al., 2003). The ratio Androgen to estrogen plays an important role when it comes to developing the masculinization of the fetal brain (DuPree et al., 2003). The results of the study indicated that CYP19 did play a role in developing sexual orientation since it plays a key role in the sexual differentiation in the brain. They found more traces of CYP19 mRNA in homosexual

The thyroid gland is found in the front of the neck and produces two main hormones. The hormones are called thuroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3). Together these hormones regulate the body’s metabolism by increasing energy use in cells, regulate growth and development, help to maintain body temperature and aid in oxygen consumption. These two hormones are regulated by hormones produced by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The hypothalamus senses changes in body’s metabolic rate and releases a hormone known as thyropin-releasing hormone (TRH). This hormone then flows through connecting vessels to the pituitary gland which signals it to release another hormone. This hormone is known as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH then makes

Even though digit ratios have no correlation with an individual’s sex, they may be able to tell us some things about gendered behavior and sexual identity. A higher digit ratio is indicative of lower androgen exposure, thus, from the sexual orientation study on hands, there is an increased likelihood of heterosexuality and femininity in women. A lower digit ratio is indicative of higher androgen exposure, and as a result, it is more likely to see and increased masculinity and heterosexual

Thyroid hormones have been known to be essential for normal neurodevelopment for over a century1. A deficiency in thyroid hormone (TH) during gestation, often due to inadequate levels of iodine have serious consequences for offspring including cretinism which is characterized as severe cognitive impairment, ataxia and sensory deficits. Cretinism is the most common preventable cause of brain damage worldwide2. Research has shown that even mildly decreased thyroid hormone during this critical period can effect cognitive function3.

The biggest question asked is how it comes around, however there is not a solid reasoning or proof of one main causal factor. According to Lippa, exposure to testosterone during the second trimester of pregnancy, when the development of both male internal and external genitals and a male-typical nervous system forms, may influence gender identity. (98) Brown counters this argument by saying the formation of a secure unconflicted gender identity and gender role is influenced by social factors, such as the character of parent’s emotional bond or the relationship each parent has with the child; he asserts that the biological factors (genetic complement or prenatal hormones) do largely determine gender identity however they do not act alone, more or less just setting the stage to go one way or the other.

The East German scientist, Dr. Gunter Dorner, has devoted his life's work to the theory that exposure to certain hormones before birth determines sexual inclination. He claims that potential future homosexual behavior can be detected through amniocentesis, the test of the uterine fluid which can reveal Down's syndrome in the unborn child. Dorner further claims that, with prenatal injections, homosexuality can be prevented. The male hormone masculinises the mind, where in the absence of testosterone the brain develops along a naturally female pattern. (Dorner, 365) Dorner finds that the brain is not masculinises all in one go. Dorner suggests that in men and women it is the presence or absence of male hormones that build the structure of the brain bit by bit into a male or female pattern of sexual

Experiments that have been conducted in the past have shown that when monkeys are given more testosterone that they become more rowdy, and when sheep have been given the same hormone, females tend to assert more dominance (Levay 2011: 78). As for the human species the hormone congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is found to be a reason why girls may have more masculine traits later in their lives. CAH occurs in the process of a genetic mutation during fetal development where an enzyme from the corticosteroid hormones gets pushed out of the equation thus resulting in abnormally high levels of androgens. Women who carry this hormone have more childhood characteristics that are similar to a male such as playing with boy like toys, and engaging in rough-house play (Levay 2011: 78-79). Women who have CAH also may have genitilia closer to a male’s genitals, and it affects their behavior and brain patterns. A study that was conducted first in 1968 then replicated in 2007 showed that women with CAH had more sexual fantasies and dreams, during masturbation or during sex with their partners that included bisexuality and homosexuality. There actual partners that they were either physically or romantically attracted to and engaged with were usually women as well (Bahlburg 2007: 95) So from evidence, women who have higher androgen levels are