Chapter 10: Sexual Behavior

Beginning the chapter, we have been introduced about the case of Bruce
Reimer. Bruce’s genitals were surgically altered, and he began life as Brenda.
Bruce/Brenda lived a life both as a boy and a girl, separately. Later, he chose
immediate male hormone therapy and surgery. He was renamed as David, lived a
normal life, married and had children, but unfortunately, he took his own life in May
2004.
His story suggests that our biological sex may influence our ultimate sense of
being a man or a woman than how we are raised.
SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT
An individual’s genetic sex begins with sex chromosomes inherited from two
parents. X chromosomes are provided by mothers to all their offspring while fathers
determine the sex of the offspring by providing either X chromosome (female) or Y
chromosomes (male).
 Sex Chromosome Abnormalities
In 1938, an American endocrinologist first described the condition called Turner
syndrome, it is when a child receives only a single X chromosome (XO) instead of the
usual pair (XX or XY). In 1942, Harry Klinefelter first identified the Klinefelter syndrome,
it occurs in male births that features an XXY genotype. Like Turner syndrome,
Klinefelter syndrome is associated with normal intelligence that may be marked by mild
cognitive difficulties and social awkwardness.
 Three Stages of Prenatal Development
There are three distinct processes involved in male and female structural
development: development of gonads, internal organs, and of external genitalia.
Intersex is a rare condition in which the elements of both male and female development
occur in the same fetus.

 The Development of the Gonads

A gene on the short arm of the Y chromosome, known as the sex-determining

region of the Y chromosome, or SRY, is expressed in male embryos. Testis-
determining factor, the protein encoded by the SRY gene, switches on additional genes
that cause the primordial gonads to develop into testes. Female embryos lack the SRY
gene and its ability to produce testis-determining factor, alternate genes guide the
development of the primordial gonad into ovaries.

 Differentiation of Internal Organs

Both male and female fetuses possess a male Wolffian system and a female
Müllerian system. During the third month, the male’s relatively new testes begin to
secrete two hormones, testosterone and anti-Müllerian hormone. Testosterone, one of
several types of male hormone or androgen, promotes the development of the Wolffian
system. Anti-Müllerian hormone initiates the degeneration of the Müllerian system. In
the female fetus, no additional hormones are needed for development.

 Development of External Genitalia

For females to develop external genitalia, it requires no hormonal activity. Unlike

in males, an androgen, 5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone, must be recognized by receptor
sites for the male external genitalia to develop normally. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
(CAH) is a recessive heritable condition in which the fetus’s adrenal glands release
elevated levels of androgens. If genetic females are exposed prenatally to excess
androgens, their external genitalia become masculinized.
 Development at Puberty
Additional hormonal events lead to maturation of the genitals and the
development of secondary sex characteristics, and it happens during puberty.
Secondary sex characteristics include facial hair and a deeper voice for males and
wider hips and breast development for females. At the onset of puberty, gonadotropin-
releasing hormone (GnRH) is released by the hypothalamus. This hormone initiates the
release of two gonadotropic hormones by the anterior pituitary gland, follicle-stimulating
hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Both males and females release these
same hormones, but with different effects.
In males, this burst of additional androgens stimulates muscular development,
maturity of the external genitalia, facial hair, and enlargement of the larynx, which leads
to a deeper voice. In females, estradiol produces breast growth, maturity of the external
genitalia, maturity of the uterus, and changes in fat distribution and quantity.
HORMONES AND SEXUAL BEHAVIOR

 Regulation of Sex Hormones by the Hypothalamus and Pituitary Gland

The hypothalamus exerts control over the release of sex hormones through its
secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). GnRH secreted by the
hypothalamus travels to the anterior pituitary gland. In response to GnRH, the anterior
pituitary releases the gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating
hormone (FSH). The initial release of these hormones is associated with the onset of
puberty. From puberty on, the gonadotropins continue to play a major role in fertility. In
males, LH signals the testes to produce testosterone. Both testosterone and FSH are
required for the maturation of sperm. In females, LH and FSH control the menstrual
cycle.
 The Menstrual Cycle and Female Fertility
On the first day of menstruation, the anterior pituitary gland increases secretion
of FSH. When this hormone circulates to the ovaries, they respond by developing
follicles, small clusters of cells that each contain an egg cell, or ovum. After the release
of the ovum, the ruptured follicle is now called the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum
releases estradiol and a new hormone, progesterone, and it promotes pregnancy. If
fertilization does not take place, the corpus luteum stops producing estradiol and
progesterone. When levels of these hormones drop, the entire cycle will repeat.

 Correlations Between Mood, Menstruation, and Childbirth

Some women experience premenstrual syndrome, it is characterized by physical

symptoms of bloating and breast enlargement and tenderness as well as psychological
symptoms of depression and irritability. Severe cases of premenstrual mood changes
are diagnosed as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Women with PMDD
experience more depression, changes in appetite (consuming more calories total and
more calories from fat), and impaired cognitive performance than women who do not
suffer from this disorder.

 Female Contraception

Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) work by providing hormones that interfere
with normal ovulation. There are two types of commonly used oral contraceptives, the
combination pill and the progestin-only pill. The combination pill contains two synthetic
hormones, an estrogen and progestin (a hormone like progesterone). This pill prevents
the maturation of follicles and ovulation. The progestin-only pill prevents the thinning of
cervical mucus that typically accompanies ovulation. Both pills act to prevent fertilized
eggs from implanting in the lining of the uterus.
 Sex Hormones and Female Behavior
 Sexual Interest in Human Females

A woman’s testosterone levels have the greatest impact on her sexual activity. A
woman’s ovaries produce testosterone as well as estrogens. Women who receive
standard estrogen replacement therapy following the surgical removal of their ovaries
still report less satisfaction with their sex lives than before surgery.

 Estrogens and Cognition

 Markus Hausmann and his colleagues studied the influence of women’s hormone
levels on the performance of spatial tasks. On tests of mental figure rotations, women
received their best scores when testosterone levels were high and their worst scores
when estrogen levels were high. In contrast to performance on spatial tasks, verbal
fluency and manual dexterity in women appear to be correlated with higher levels of
estrogens.
 Sex Hormones and Male Behavior
 Androgens and Competition

Testosterone levels appear to increase in anticipation of a competition among

male athletes. Men cheering for the successful Brazilian soccer team at the 1994 World
Cup competition experienced increases in testosterone, whereas men supporting the
losing Italian team experienced a decrease.

 Androgens and Sexual Interest

When testosterone is dramatically reduced below normal levels at any age,

significant changes in male sexual behavior occur. Men in stable, long-term marriages
have lower testosterone levels than single men or men who are within a few years of
divorce. The first explanation is that being partnered reduces testosterone, perhaps due
to lower levels of competition with other men for mates. The second explanation
suggests that men with lower levels of testosterone are more successful in maintaining
stable relationships. Women in multiple committed relationships had higher testosterone
than other women.

 Androgens and Cognitive Behavior

Male advantage in spatial relations like map reading, maze learning and the
mental rotations of objects suggests that it is based on testosterone supplements.
Surprisingly, men who received testosterone supplements also improved their scores on
verbal fluency tests by a factor of 20 percent.

 Male Contraceptives

The only methods of contraception available to men are condoms, withdrawal,

and vasectomies. Several additional options designed to prevent male fertility is under
investigation.
 Anabolic Steroids
This is a synthetic version of testosterone that build tissue, have legitimate
medical uses in cases of malnutrition and other tissue loss. Steroids build strength and
muscle mass and improve recovery time following muscle damage from weightlifting
and other workouts. Steroids also produce significant side effects such as acne,
enlargement of the clitoris or penis, a lower voice, unusual hair loss or growth,
psychological disturbances, and enlarged breasts in males.
SEX DIFFERENCES IN THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
Researchers have observed differences in the brains and nervous systems of
males and females. According to a study, the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic
area (SDN-POA), located in the hypothalamus, is much larger in male rats than in
female rats. Human beings do not have an SDN-POA, but they may have an equivalent.
Four clusters of neurons in the preoptic area of the human hypothalamus are known as
the interstitial nuclei of the anterior hypothalamus, are about twice as large in males as
in females.
SEXUAL ORIENTATION
It refers to a stable pattern of attraction to members of a particular sex and it is
not synonymous with sexual behavior.
 Hormones, Sexual Behavior, and Sexual Orientation
The development of structures that are not involved in sexual behavior often
reflects the influence of prenatal hormone exposure. In humans, the high levels of
prenatal androgens typical of males have an impact on the development of the inner
ear. Another possible indicator of prenatal exposure to androgens, and the resulting
influence on sexual orientation, is the so-called 2D:4D ratio.
 Brain Structure and Sexual Orientation
Researcher Simon LeVay asked whether INAH-3 might be different in
heterosexual and homosexual men. He found that INAH-3 was two to three times larger
in heterosexual men than in homosexual men. The size of INAH-3 among LeVay’s
homosexual subjects was not significantly different from the size observed in female
subjects. LeVay was cautious in interpreting these results because INAH-3 is too small
to observe in living participants with current imaging technologies, LeVay studied
autopsied brains.
 Genes and Sexual Orientation
Genetics appear to influence sexual orientation, although the exact mechanisms
are not well understood and are likely to be quite complex. It is currently unknown
whether genetics can have direct effects on sexual orientation or indirect effects on
prenatal androgen environments.
ATTRACTION

 The Importance of Symmetry

 Some parts of our bodies are notably asymmetrical, such as the location of our
heart toward the left side of our chest, most of our features are relatively symmetrical.
Highly symmetrical bodies are generally healthier, and some researchers believe that
we are programmed to select healthy mates. And that is why we view symmetry as
attractive and beautiful.
 The Beauty of Fertility and a Good Immune System
We make distinctions in preferred features for males and females beyond
symmetry. According to Victor Johnston’s analysis, women’s responses to male
features are not consistent. Some features are preferred in a short-term relationship that
are not preferred in long-term relationships. Men pay more attention to women’s figures
than women pay to men’s physiques. A woman’s figure is far more reflective of her
reproductive fitness than a man’s, so behavioral geneticists argue that it merits more
attention.
ROMANTIC LOVE, SEXUAL DESIRE, AND PARENTING
Romantic love and the bonding of parent and child both involve the
establishment and maintenance of long-term relationships, whereas sexual desire
promotes mating and reproduction. The bonding that is associated with both romantic
love and parenting is influenced by two closely related, yet sexually dimorphic pituitary
hormones, oxytocin and vasopressin.
SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION AND TREATMENT
A pharmacological discovery has made treatment of impotence, or erectile
dysfunction, possible for many men. Erectile dysfunction occurs when a man is unable
to achieve an erection enough for satisfactory sexual activity. Sildenafil citrate (Viagra)
promotes erection by enhancing the effects of NO on the erectile tissues, this is the
medication for the said dysfunction.