Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.

Site Tools

  • AAAS
  • Subscribe
  • Feedback

Site Search

Search Advanced

Science 28 September 1984:
Vol. 225. no. 4669, pp. 1496 - 1499
DOI: 10.1126/science.6089349
Prev | Table of Contents | Next

Articles

Science, Vol 225, Issue 4669, 1496-1499
Copyright © 1984 by American Association for the Advancement of Science

articles

Neuroendocrine response to estrogen and sexual orientation

BA Gladue, R Green, and RE Hellman

A neuroendocrine component, the positive estrogen feedback effect, thought to be related to sexual orientation and, indirectly, to sexual differentiation, was evaluated in healthy, noninstitutionalized research volunteers. Men and women with a lifelong heterosexual orientation and men with a lifelong homosexual orientation were administered an estrogen preparation known to enhance the concentration of luteinizing hormone in women but not in men. The secretory pattern of luteinizing hormone in the homosexuals in response to estrogen was intermediate between that of the heterosexual men and that of the women. Furthermore, testosterone was depressed for a significantly longer period in the homosexual men than in the heterosexual men. These findings suggest that biological markers for sexual orientation may exist.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Changes in LH secretion in response to an estradiol challenge in male- and female-oriented rams and in ewes.
F Stormshak, C T Estill, J A Resko, and C E Roselli (2008)
Reproduction 135, 733-738
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Plasticity in Brain Sexuality Is Revealed by the Rapid Actions of Steroid Hormones.
L. Remage-Healey and A. H. Bass (2007)
J. Neurosci. 27, 1114-1122
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
A brain sexual dimorphism controlled by adult circulating androgens.
B. M. Cooke, G. Tabibnia, and S. M. Breedlove (1999)
PNAS 96, 7538-7540
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Accommodating Science: The Rhetorical Life of Scientific Facts.
J. FAHNESTOCK (1998)
Written Communication 15, 330-350
   Abstract »
Human Sexual Orientation: The Biologic Theories Reappraised.
W. Byne and B. Parsons (1993)
Arch Gen Psychiatry 50, 228-239
   Abstract »    PDF »
An Ethological Perspective on Homosexuality during Adolescence.
R. C. Savin-Williams (1987)
Journal of Adolescent Research 2, 283-302
   Abstract »
Evidence of Familial Nature of Male Homosexuality.
R. C. Pillard and J. D. Weinrich (1986)
Arch Gen Psychiatry 43, 808-812
   Abstract »    PDF »
Accommodating Science: The Rhetorical Life of Scientific Facts.
J. FAHNESTOCK (1986)
Written Communication 3, 275-296
   Abstract »
Neuroendocrine response to estrogen and sexual orientation.
M. Baum, R. Carroll, M. Erskine, and S. Tobet (1985)
Science 230, 960-961
   PDF »
Neuroendocrine response to estrogen and sexual orientation.
B. A. GLADUE (1985)
Science 230, 961
   PDF »


To Advertise     Find Products

Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)