1
|
Oginni OA, Alanko K, Jern P, Rijsdijk FV. Genetic and Environmental Influences on Sexual Orientation: Moderation by Childhood Gender Nonconformity and Early-Life Adversity. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2024; 53:1763-1776. [PMID: 38155338 PMCID: PMC11106125 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-023-02761-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Existing evidence indicates genetic and non-genetic influences on sexual orientation; however, the possibility of gene-environment interplay has not been previously formally tested despite theories indicating this. Using a Finnish twin cohort, this study investigated whether childhood gender nonconformity and early-life adversities independently moderated individual differences in sexual orientation and childhood gender nonconformity, the relationship between them, and the etiological bases of the proposed moderation effects. Sexual orientation, childhood gender nonconformity, and early-life adversities were assessed using standard questionnaires. Structural equation twin model fitting was carried out using OpenMx. Childhood gender nonconformity was significantly associated with reduced phenotypic variance in sexual orientation (β = - 0.14, 95% CI - 0.27, - 0.01). A breakdown of the underlying influences of this moderation effect showed that this was mostly due to moderation of individual-specific environmental influences which significantly decreased as childhood gender nonconformity increased (βE = - 0.38; 95% CI - 0.52, - 0.001) while additive genetic influences were not significantly moderated (βA = 0.05; 95% CI - 0.30, 0.27). We also observed that the relationship between sexual orientation and childhood gender nonconformity was stronger at higher levels of childhood gender nonconformity (β = 0.10, 95% CI 0.05, 0.14); however, significance of the underlying genetic and environmental influences on this relationship could not be established in this sample. The findings indicate that beyond a correlation of their genetic and individual-specific environmental influences, childhood gender nonconformity is further significantly associated with reduced individual-specific influences on sexual orientation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olakunle Ayokunmi Oginni
- The Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Denmark Hill, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK.
- Department of Mental Health, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Wolfson Centre for Young People's Mental Health, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
| | - Katarina Alanko
- Department of Psychology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Patrick Jern
- Department of Psychology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Frühling Vesta Rijsdijk
- The Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Denmark Hill, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Anton de Kom University, Paramaribo, Suriname
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wakim LM, Occelli F, Paumelle M, Brousmiche D, Bouhadj L, Cuny D, Descat A, Lanier C, Deram A. Unveiling the presence of endocrine disrupting chemicals in northern French soils: Land cover variability and implications. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 913:169617. [PMID: 38157891 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are chemicals that can be found in the environment and have adverse effects on human health by mimicking, perturbing and blocking the function of hormones. They are commonly studied in water surfaces, rarely in soils, although it can be an important source of their presence in the environment. Their detection in soils is analytically challenging to quantify, hence the lack of known background concentrations found in the literature. This scientific research aimed to detect EDCs in soils by analyzing 240 soil samples using an optimized protocol of double extraction and analysis using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The optimized protocol allowed for very sensitive detection of the targeted compounds. The results showed a high concentration of 29.391 ng/g of 17β-estradiol in soils and 47.16 ng/g for 17α-ethinylestradiol. Testosterone and Progesterone were detected at a highest of 1.02 and 6.58 ng/g, respectively. The ∑EDCs which included estrogens, progesterone, testosterone and Bisphenol A was found at an average of 22.72 ± 35.46 ng/g in the study area. The results of this campaign showed a heterogeneous geographic distribution of the EDCs compounds in the different zones of study. Additionally, the study conducted a comparison of the concentration of EDCs in different land covers including urban areas, agricultural lands, grasslands and forests. We observed a significant difference between forests and other land covers (p < 0.0001) for 17α-ethinylestradiol, estriol, and progesterone. This presence of EDCs in forest lands is not yet understood and requires further studies concerning its origins, its fate and its effect on human health. This study is the first large-scale sampling campaign targeting EDCs in soils in Europe and the second in the world. It is also the first to assess the concentrations of these compounds based on different land covers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L M Wakim
- Univ. Lille, IMT Lille Douai, Univ. Artois, Junia Hauts-de-France ULR 4515 - LGCgE Laboratoire de Génie Civil et géo-Environnement, F-59000 Lille, France.
| | - F Occelli
- Univ. Lille, IMT Lille Douai, Univ. Artois, Junia Hauts-de-France ULR 4515 - LGCgE Laboratoire de Génie Civil et géo-Environnement, F-59000 Lille, France; Univ. Lille, UFR3S - Faculté d'ingénierie et management de la santé (ILIS), F-59000 Lille, France
| | - M Paumelle
- Univ. Lille, IMT Lille Douai, Univ. Artois, Junia Hauts-de-France ULR 4515 - LGCgE Laboratoire de Génie Civil et géo-Environnement, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - D Brousmiche
- Association pour la Prévention de la Pollution Atmosphérique APPA, F-59120 Loos, France
| | - L Bouhadj
- Univ. Lille, IMT Lille Douai, Univ. Artois, Junia Hauts-de-France ULR 4515 - LGCgE Laboratoire de Génie Civil et géo-Environnement, F-59000 Lille, France; Agence de Développement et d'Urbanisme de Lille Métropole, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - D Cuny
- Univ. Lille, IMT Lille Douai, Univ. Artois, Junia Hauts-de-France ULR 4515 - LGCgE Laboratoire de Génie Civil et géo-Environnement, F-59000 Lille, France; Univ. Lille, UFR3S - Faculté de Pharmacie de Lille, Laboratoire des Sciences Végétales et Fongiques LSVF, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - A Descat
- Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, ULR 7365 GRITA - Groupe de Recherche sur les Formes Injectables et Technologies Associées, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - C Lanier
- Univ. Lille, IMT Lille Douai, Univ. Artois, Junia Hauts-de-France ULR 4515 - LGCgE Laboratoire de Génie Civil et géo-Environnement, F-59000 Lille, France; Univ. Lille, UFR3S - Faculté d'ingénierie et management de la santé (ILIS), F-59000 Lille, France
| | - A Deram
- Univ. Lille, IMT Lille Douai, Univ. Artois, Junia Hauts-de-France ULR 4515 - LGCgE Laboratoire de Génie Civil et géo-Environnement, F-59000 Lille, France; Univ. Lille, UFR3S - Faculté d'ingénierie et management de la santé (ILIS), F-59000 Lille, France
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
VanderLaan DP, Skorska MN, Peragine DE, Coome LA. Carving the Biodevelopment of Same-Sex Sexual Orientation at Its Joints. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2023; 52:2939-2962. [PMID: 35960401 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-022-02360-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Sexual orientation is a core aspect of human experience and understanding its development is fundamental to psychology as a scientific discipline. Biological perspectives have played an important role in uncovering the processes that contribute to sexual orientation development. Research in this field has relied on a variety of populations, including community, clinical, and cross-cultural samples, and has commonly focused on female gynephilia (i.e., female sexual attraction to adult females) and male androphilia (i.e., male sexual attraction to adult males). Genetic, hormonal, and immunological processes all appear to influence sexual orientation. Consistent with biological perspectives, there are sexual orientation differences in brain development and evidence indicates that similar biological influences apply across cultures. An outstanding question in the field is whether the hypothesized biological influences are all part of the same process or represent different developmental pathways leading to same-sex sexual orientation. Some studies indicate that same-sex sexually oriented people can be divided into subgroups who likely experienced different biological influences. Consideration of gender expression in addition to sexual orientation might help delineate such subgroups. Thus, future research on the possible existence of such subgroups could prove to be valuable for uncovering the biological development of sexual orientation. Recommendations for such future research are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Doug P VanderLaan
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, ON, L5L 1C6, Canada.
- Child and Youth Psychiatry, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Malvina N Skorska
- Child and Youth Psychiatry, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Diana E Peragine
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, ON, L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Lindsay A Coome
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, ON, L5L 1C6, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tasos E. To What Extent are Prenatal Androgens Involved in the Development of Male Homosexuality in Humans? JOURNAL OF HOMOSEXUALITY 2022; 69:1928-1963. [PMID: 34080960 DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2021.1933792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Endocrine variations, including possibly reduced exposure to androgens, may contribute to the development of male homosexuality, with animal models demonstrating same-sex mate preference with altered exposure during prenatal or early postnatal development. As similar studies in humans are impossible, indirect physical and cognitive measures of androgen exposure are used. Some studies suggest that physical measures affected by prenatal androgens, including the index-to-ring finger ratio, growth indices, and facial structure, are more "feminine" in gay men. Gay men also exhibit significant childhood gender non-conformity and a "feminized" anatomical and functional brain pattern in sexual arousal, as well as domains such as language, visuospatial skills and hemispheric relationships. However, many of these results are equivocal and may be confounded by other factors. Research has also been hampered by inconsistencies in the reporting of sexual orientation and the potentially unrepresentative populations of gay men studied, while additional complexities pertaining to gender conformity and sexual role may also influence results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emmanouil Tasos
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Cui J, Pei M, Su Y. Gender-related friend preferences of youths with different sexual orientations: the effects of gender role and sexual attraction. PSYCHOLOGY & SEXUALITY 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/19419899.2020.1734066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jingmeng Cui
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Pei
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanjie Su
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Cornil CA, Bakker J. Alternative Views on the Role of Sex Steroid Hormones on the Emergence of Phenotypic Diversity in Female Sexual Orientation. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2019; 48:1309-1313. [PMID: 30456632 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-018-1343-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 11/03/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte A Cornil
- GIGA Neurosciences, University of Liege, 15 Avenue Hippocrate (B36), 4000, Liège, Belgium.
| | - Julie Bakker
- GIGA Neurosciences, University of Liege, 15 Avenue Hippocrate (B36), 4000, Liège, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Luoto S, Krams I, Rantala MJ. A Life History Approach to the Female Sexual Orientation Spectrum: Evolution, Development, Causal Mechanisms, and Health. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2019; 48:1273-1308. [PMID: 30229521 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-018-1261-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2017] [Revised: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Women's capacity for sexual fluidity is at least as interesting a phenomenon from the point of view of evolutionary biology and behavioral endocrinology as exclusively homosexual orientation. Evolutionary hypotheses for female nonheterosexuality have failed to fully account for the existence of these different categories of nonheterosexual women, while also overlooking broader data on the causal mechanisms, physiology, ontogeny, and phylogeny of female nonheterosexuality. We review the evolutionary-developmental origins of various phenotypes in the female sexual orientation spectrum using the synergistic approach of Tinbergen's four questions. We also present femme-specific and butch-specific hypotheses at proximate and ultimate levels of analysis. This review article indicates that various nonheterosexual female phenotypes emerge from and contribute to hormonally mediated fast life history strategies. Life history theory provides a biobehavioral explanatory framework for nonheterosexual women's masculinized body morphology, psychological dispositions, and their elevated likelihood of experiencing violence, substance use, obesity, teenage pregnancy, and lower general health. This pattern of life outcomes can create a feedback loop of environmental unpredictability and harshness which destabilizes intrauterine hormonal conditions in mothers, leading to a greater likelihood of fast life history strategies, global health problems, and nonheterosexual preferences in female offspring. We further explore the potential of female nonheterosexuality to function as an alloparental buffer that enables masculinizing alleles to execute their characteristic fast life history strategies as they appear in the female and the male phenotype. Synthesizing life history theory with the female sexual orientation spectrum enriches existing scientific knowledge on the evolutionary-developmental mechanisms of human sex differences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Severi Luoto
- English, Drama and Writing Studies, University of Auckland, Arts 1, Building 206, Room 616, 14A Symonds St., Auckland, 1010, New Zealand.
- School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Indrikis Krams
- Department of Zoology and Animal Ecology, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Markus J Rantala
- Department of Biology & Turku Brain and Mind Center, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
An Updated Theoretical Framework for Human Sexual Selection: from Ecology, Genetics, and Life History to Extended Phenotypes. ADAPTIVE HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND PHYSIOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s40750-018-0103-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
|
9
|
|
10
|
Fisher AD, Ristori J, Morelli G, Maggi M. The molecular mechanisms of sexual orientation and gender identity. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2018; 467:3-13. [PMID: 28847741 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2017.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Revised: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Differences between males and females are widely represented in nature. There are gender differences in phenotypes, personality traits, behaviors and interests, cognitive performance, and proneness to specific diseases. The most marked difference in humans is represented by sexual orientation and core gender identity, the origins of which are still controversial and far from being understood. Debates continue on whether sexual behavior and gender identity are a result of biological (nature) or cultural (nurture) factors, with biology possibly playing a major role. The main goal of this review is to summarize the studies available to date on the biological factors involved in the development of both sexual orientation and gender identity. A systematic search of published evidence was performed using Medline (from January 1948 to June 2017). Review of the relevant literature was based on authors' expertise. Indeed, different studies have documented the possible role and interaction of neuroanatomic, hormonal and genetic factors. The sexual dimorphic brain is considered the anatomical substrate of psychosexual development, on which genes and gonadal hormones may have a shaping effect. In particular, growing evidence shows that prenatal and pubertal sex hormones permanently affect human behavior. In addition, heritability studies have demonstrated a role of genetic components. However, a convincing candidate gene has not been identified. Future studies (e.i. genome wide studies) are needed to better clarify the complex interaction between genes, anatomy and hormonal influences on psychosexual development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra D Fisher
- Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Jiska Ristori
- Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Girolamo Morelli
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular and of the Critical Area Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Mario Maggi
- Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|