Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Fisher, Alessandra D.
• Ristori, Jiska
• Morelli, Girolamo
• Maggi, Mario

Titel

The molecular mechanisms of sexual orientation and gender identity

Ist Teil von

• Molecular and cellular endocrinology, 2018-05, Vol.467, p.3-13

Ort / Verlag

Ireland: Elsevier B.V

Erscheinungsjahr

2018

Link zum Volltext

Quelle

Elsevier ScienceDirect Journals Complete

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• 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. •The sexual dimorphic brain is the anatomical substrate of psychosexual development.•Sexual orientation is defined by the target of sexual arousal.•Gender identity refers to the inner sense of being male, female or something else.•Sexual orientation and gender identity are the most sexually differentiated traits.