Psychobiology 5-1 chapter 10 Sex and Hormones Steroid hormones are derived from cholesterol, contain four carbon

n rings and exert their effects in three way o 1. binding to membrane receptors like neurotransmitters o 2. entering, cells and activating certain kinds of proteins in cytoplasm o 3. binding to chromosomes where they activated or inactivate certain genes The sex hormones are a special kind of steroid, released mostly by the gonads and to a lesser degree by the adrenal glands. o Affects the brain, genitals and other organs Two types of sex hormones include: o 1. Androgen (mainly testosterone) o 2. Estrogens o Both sexes have these categories in varying quintiles Sex limited genes are those activated by androgens or estrogens and control most of the differences between male and female o Example: estrogen activate the gene for breast growth and androgens activate the gene for the growth of facial hair Sex hormones increase or decrease the rate of apoptosis in various region of the brain o Certain areas are slightly larger in males or females Sex hormones can have the following effect o 1 occur mostly at sensitive stage o 2. Activities effects occur at any time of life and temporally activate a particular response Sexual differentiation begins with the chromosomes Females mammal has two x and a male has an x and a y in most cases but not all During early stage of prenatal development both male and female have a set of Mullerian ducts and a set of Wolffian ducts as well as primitive gonads Wolffian duct are precursors to other male organs o Develop into the vas deferens and seminal vesicles Mullerian ducts are the precursor to female oviducts uterus and upper vagina The male y chromosome includes the SRY gene which causes the primitive gonads to develop into testes the sperm producing organ The developed testes produce the hormone testosterone Testosterone induces the development of the penis ans scrotum Females are not exposed to high testosterone levels and their gonads develop into ovaries the egg producing organ Sensitive periods are early periods are early periods when hormones have longlasting effects Sexual differentiation depends mostly on level of testosterone during a sensitive period The human sensitive period for genitals formation is about the third and fourth month of pregnancy

Alpha-fetoprotisis is found in the blood during early sensitive period and binds to estrogen and prevents it from entering developing cells Testosterone does not bind to alpha-feto and freely enters the cell Sexual Desire and Hormones Decreases in testosterone levels generally decrease males sexual activity and interest o Example: castration Impotence inability to maintain an erection o Usually caused by impaired blood circulation not low testosterone Erection partially depends on testosterone increasing the release of nitric oxide o Facilitates the hypothalamic neurons and increases blood flow to the penis Menstrual Cycles and Hormones After the end of menstrual of period The anterior pituitary releases follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) FSH promotes the growth of a follicle in the ovary The follicle nurtures the ovum and produces estrogen Towards the middle of the menstrual cycle the follicle builds on receptors to FSH As a result the follicle produces increasing amounts of estadiol a type pf estrogen Increased estradiol causes pituitary to increase release of FSH and luetinizing hormone (LH) FSH an LH causes the follicle to release an ovum The remnants of the follicle release the hormone progesterone Prepares the uterus for implantation of a fertilized ovum inhibits the further release of LH Birth Control birth control pills prevent pregnancy by interfering with the usual feedback cycle between the ovaries and pituitary the combination pill contains both estrogen and progesterone and prevents the surge of FSH and LH that would release an ovum also thickens the mucus of the cervix making it harder for the spearm to reach the egg Parental Behavior and Hormones oxytocin is a pituitary hormone also important for reproductive behavior stimulates contraction of uterus during delivery of baby stimulates the mammary gland to release milk released during orgasm and triggers a state of complete relaxation facilitates bonds between mating partners and mother and infant Variation in Sexual Behavior gender identity refers to which gender we identify as and what we call ourselves in terms of man or woman biological differences are generally referred to as sex differences differences that result from peoples thoughts about themselves as male or female are referred to as gender differences