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Science 31 May 1985:
Vol. 228. no. 4703, pp. 1112 - 1115
DOI: 10.1126/science.3992248
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Articles

Science, Vol 228, Issue 4703, 1112-1115
Copyright © 1985 by American Association for the Advancement of Science

articles

A sexually dimorphic nucleus in the human brain

DF Swaab and E Fliers

A sexually dimorphic cell group is described in the preoptic area of the human hypothalamus. Morphometric analysis revealed that the volume of this nucleus is 2.5 +/- 0.6 times (mean +/- standard error of the mean) as large in men as in women, and contains 2.2 +/- 0.5 times as many cells. Between the ages of 10 and 93 years, the nucleus decreases greatly in volume and in cell number. Although no function has yet been established for this nucleus, it is located within an area that is essential for gonadotropin release and sexual behavior in other mammals.


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