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Gangestad SW, Dinh T. Women's Estrus and Extended Sexuality: Reflections on Empirical Patterns and Fundamental Theoretical Issues. Front Psychol 2022; 13:900737. [PMID: 35795438 PMCID: PMC9251465 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.900737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
How do women's sexual interests change across their ovulatory cycles? This question is one of the most enduring within the human evolutionary behavioral sciences. Yet definitive, agreed-upon answers remain elusive. One empirical pattern appears to be robust: Women experience greater levels of sexual desire and interest when conceptive during their cycles. But this pattern is not straightforward or self-explanatory. We lay out multiple possible, broad explanations for it. Based on selectionist reasoning, we argue that the conditions that give rise to sexual interests during conceptive and non-conceptive phases are likely to differ. Because conceptive and non-conceptive sex have distinct functions, the sexual interests during conceptive and non-conceptive phases are likely to have different strategic ends. We discuss provisional evidence consistent with this perspective. But the exact nature of women's dual sexuality, if it exists, remains unclear. Additional empirical research is needed. But perhaps more crucially, this topic demands additional theory that fruitfully guides and interprets future empirical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven W. Gangestad
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
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Wallner B, Windhager S, Schaschl H, Nemeth M, Pflüger LS, Fieder M, Domjanić J, Millesi E, Seidler H. Sexual Attractiveness: a Comparative Approach to Morphological, Behavioral and Neurophysiological Aspects of Sexual Signaling in Women and Nonhuman Primate Females. ADAPTIVE HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND PHYSIOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s40750-019-00111-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Mating in a bisexually philopatric society: bottlenose dolphin females associate with adult males but not adult sons during estrous. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-017-2380-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Estrogenic and progestogenic effects of hormonal contraceptives in relation to sexual behavior: insights into extended sexuality. EVOL HUM BEHAV 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2016.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Lu A, Bergman TJ, McCann C, Stinespring-Harris A, Beehner JC. Growth trajectories in wild geladas (Theropithecus gelada). Am J Primatol 2016; 78:707-19. [PMID: 26950523 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2015] [Revised: 01/23/2016] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Life history and socioecological factors have been linked to species-specific patterns of growth across female vertebrates. For example, greater maternal investment in offspring has been associated with more discrete periods of growth and reproduction. However, in primates it has been difficult to test such hypotheses because very few studies have obtained growth measurements from wild populations. Here we utilize a promising noninvasive photogrammetric method-parallel lasers-to examine shoulder-rump (SR) growth in a wild primate, the gelada (Theropithecus gelada, Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia). In this species, a graminivorous diet coupled with high extrinsic infant mortality risk suggests that maternal investment in neonates is low. Therefore, in contrast with other closely related papionins, we expected female geladas to exhibit less discrete periods of growth and reproduction. For both sexes, we compared size-for-age patterns (N = 154 females; N = 110 males) and changes in growth velocity relative to major life history milestones. Female geladas finished 88.5% of SR growth by first sexual swelling, and 97.2% by first reproduction, reaching adult body size by 7.72 years of age. Compared to closely related papionins, gelada females finished more growth by first reproduction, despite producing relatively small, and presumably "cheap," neonates. Male geladas finished 85.4% of growth at dispersal, and 96.0% at estimated first birth. Contrary to other polygynous primates, males are larger than females because they grow for a longer period of time (not because they grow faster), surpassing females around 6 years of age when female growth slows. Our results demonstrate that parallel lasers are an easy and promising new method that can be used to construct comprehensive life history perspectives that were once out of reach for wild populations. Am. J. Primatol. 78:707-719, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Lu
- Department of Anthropology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
| | - Thore J Bergman
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Colleen McCann
- Wildlife Conservation Society/Bronx Zoo, Bronx, New York.,New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, New York
| | | | - Jacinta C Beehner
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.,Department of Anthropology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Grebe NM, Emery Thompson M, Gangestad SW. Hormonal predictors of women's extra-pair vs. in-pair sexual attraction in natural cycles: Implications for extended sexuality. Horm Behav 2016; 78:211-9. [PMID: 26592455 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2015] [Revised: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 11/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In naturally cycling women, Roney and Simmons (2013) examined hormonal correlates of their desire for sexual contact. Estradiol was positively associated, and progesterone negatively associated, with self-reported desire. The current study extended these findings by examining, within a sample of 33 naturally cycling women involved in romantic relationships, hormonal correlates of sexual attraction to or interests in specific targets: women's own primary partner or men other than women's primary partner. Women's sexual interests and hormone (estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone) levels were assessed at two different time points. Whereas estradiol levels were associated with relatively greater extra-pair sexual interests than in-pair sexual interests, progesterone levels were associated with relatively greater in-pair sexual interests. Both hormones specifically predicted in-pair sexual desire, estradiol negatively and progesterone positively. These findings have implications for understanding the function of women's extended sexuality - their sexual proceptivity and receptivity outside the fertile phase, especially during the luteal phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas M Grebe
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | | | - Steven W Gangestad
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
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Rigaill L, MacIntosh AJJ, Higham JP, Winters S, Shimizu K, Mouri K, Furuichi T, Garcia C. Multimodal Advertisement of Pregnancy in Free-Ranging Female Japanese Macaques (Macaca fuscata). PLoS One 2015; 10:e0135127. [PMID: 26308441 PMCID: PMC4550261 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0135127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Accepted: 07/17/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of multiple sexual signals in indicating the timing of female ovulation, and discrimination of this timing by males, has been particularly well studied among primates. However the exhibition of pregnancy signals, and how such signals might modulate male post-conception mating decisions, is still poorly understood. Here we aimed to determine if Japanese macaque males use changes in female sexual signals (behavioral, visual and auditory) to discriminate pregnancy and adjust their socio-sexual behaviors. We combined behavioral observations, digital photography and endocrinological (progestogen and estrogen) data, collected systematically during three one-month periods: the pre-conceptive period, the 1st month of pregnancy and the 2nd month of pregnancy. We analyzed variation in the probability of detecting male and female socio-sexual behaviors and estrus calls, as well as changes in female face color parameters, in relation to female reproductive state. Based on our focal observations, we found that males did not copulate during the pregnancy period, and that female socio-sexual behaviors generally decreased from the pre-conceptive to post-conceptive periods. Female face luminance decreased from the pre-conceptive month to the pregnancy period whereas face color only varied between the 1st and 2nd month of gestation. Our results suggest that Japanese macaque females display sexual cues of pregnancy that males might use to reduce energy wasted on non-reproductive copulations with pregnant females. We hypothesize that females advertize their pregnancy through changes in behavioral, visual and potential auditory signals that males can use to adjust their mating behaviors. We finish by discussing implications for male and female post-conception strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Rigaill
- Social Systems Evolution Section, Department of Ecology and Social Behaviors, Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Japan
| | - Andrew J. J. MacIntosh
- Social Systems Evolution Section, Department of Ecology and Social Behaviors, Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Japan
- Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - James P. Higham
- Department of Anthropology, Center for the Study of Human Origins, New York University, New York, United States of America
| | - Sandra Winters
- Department of Anthropology, Center for the Study of Human Origins, New York University, New York, United States of America
| | - Keiko Shimizu
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Okayama University of Science, Okayama city, Okayama, Japan
| | - Keiko Mouri
- Social Systems Evolution Section, Department of Ecology and Social Behaviors, Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Japan
| | - Takeshi Furuichi
- Social Systems Evolution Section, Department of Ecology and Social Behaviors, Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Japan
| | - Cécile Garcia
- Laboratoire de Dynamique de l’Evolution Humaine, UPR 2147, CNRS, Paris, France
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Roberts SJ, Nikitopoulos E, Cords M. Factors affecting low resident male siring success in one-male groups of blue monkeys. Behav Ecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/aru060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Young C, Majolo B, Heistermann M, Schülke O, Ostner J. Male mating behaviour in relation to female sexual swellings, socio-sexual behaviour and hormonal changes in wild Barbary macaques. Horm Behav 2013; 63:32-9. [PMID: 23146839 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2012.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2012] [Revised: 11/02/2012] [Accepted: 11/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In many cercopithecine primates females display probabilistic cues of fertility to indicate the periovulatory period to males. These cues may include female behaviour, acoustic signals, and morphological signs such as the anogenital swelling. However, the extent to which males can utilise this information varies between species. We describe male sexual behaviour in relation to changes in anogenital swelling size, timing of ovulation and female socio-sexual behaviour in wild Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus). We further compare male sexual behaviour during conception and post-conception cycles to evaluate if males differentiate between these qualitatively different cycle types. Our results show that during conception cycles male mating behaviour was concentrated around the fertile phase implying that males inferred information from more than swelling size alone. Male mating frequency increased in line with female socio-sexual behaviour, namely female presenting and the frequency of copulations with copulation calls. Most strikingly our results show that males invested equally in mating during fertile and non-fertile, i.e. post-conception, maximum swelling phases. Whether post-conception swellings were merely a result of changes in hormone concentrations during pregnancy or part of a female reproductive strategy remains elusive. In sum, this study adds to the body of research on the evolution of female sexual signals and how males may infer information from these cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Young
- Primate Social Evolution Group, Courant Research Centre Evolution of Social Behaviour, Georg-August University Göttingen, Kellnerweg 6, 37077, Germany.
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Kim Y, Ko E, Lappan S, Kezele A, Kwon SW, Choe JC. Changes in fecal estrogen levels and sexual behavior in captive sichuan snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) following a male replacement. Zoo Biol 2012; 32:342-6. [PMID: 22549961 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2011] [Revised: 02/17/2012] [Accepted: 02/29/2012] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Rhinopithecus roxellana are generally seasonal breeders, although copulation can occur throughout the year. Previous studies suggest that estradiol modulates female sexual behavior during the mating season. However, the effects of social context on estrogen levels and behavior have not been fully explored. We studied the relationship between sexual behaviors and fecal estrogens in a group of captive R. roxellana during a period of social instability. We collected behavioral data for six months and collected fecal samples at 2-3-day intervals for four months spanning the mating and nonmating seasons, and analyzed fecal estrogen levels via RIA. Females showed clear cyclic solicitation and copulation peaks in the mating season, which corresponded with sharp peaks in fecal estrogens. During the nonmating season, solicitation rates, copulation rates, and fecal estrogens were generally low. However, one nonpregnant female displayed a sharp peak in solicitations, copulations, and estrogens during the nonmating season 10-14 days after a male replacement. Our results provide preliminary evidence that social and behavioral changes affect estrogen levels in R. roxellana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yena Kim
- Division of EcoScience, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
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