Abstract
Homo sapiens (H. sapiens) exhibits growth characteristics not observed in other mammals, including other primates. Both male and female H. sapiens experience pubertal growth spurts and are not sexually dimorphic in adult stature. These unique growth characteristics must have evolved to benefit the reproductive success and survival of the species. The H. sapiens childhood is relatively protracted, and the pubertal growth spurt may be a compensatory measure to attain adult size in a relatively short time. Because reproductive patterns of H. sapiens have evolved away from a male-dominated social structure, large male size no longer confers a reproductive advantage. The relatively large female size of H. sapiens might have evolved to support the birth of offspring with ever-increasing cranial characteristics. Growth in H. sapiens depends largely on GH-dependent STAT5b regulation of IGF-I expression. STAT5b in other mammals contributes to growth in males only. Although speculative, the loss of sexual dimorphism in H. sapiens may reflect a progressive dependence on STAT5b to control growth.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1267-1271 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism |
| Volume | 17 |
| Issue number | SUPPL. 4 |
| State | Published - 2004 |
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Keywords
- Growth hormone
- Homo sapiens
- Insulin-like growth factor-I
- Pubertal growth spurt
- Sexual dimorphism
- STAT5b (signal transducers and activators of transcription 5b)
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Endocrinology
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
Cite this
Gender differences in height : An evolutionary perspective. / Rosenfeld, Ronald (Ron).
In: Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, Vol. 17, No. SUPPL. 4, 2004, p. 1267-1271.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Gender differences in height
T2 - An evolutionary perspective
AU - Rosenfeld, Ronald (Ron)
PY - 2004
Y1 - 2004
N2 - Homo sapiens (H. sapiens) exhibits growth characteristics not observed in other mammals, including other primates. Both male and female H. sapiens experience pubertal growth spurts and are not sexually dimorphic in adult stature. These unique growth characteristics must have evolved to benefit the reproductive success and survival of the species. The H. sapiens childhood is relatively protracted, and the pubertal growth spurt may be a compensatory measure to attain adult size in a relatively short time. Because reproductive patterns of H. sapiens have evolved away from a male-dominated social structure, large male size no longer confers a reproductive advantage. The relatively large female size of H. sapiens might have evolved to support the birth of offspring with ever-increasing cranial characteristics. Growth in H. sapiens depends largely on GH-dependent STAT5b regulation of IGF-I expression. STAT5b in other mammals contributes to growth in males only. Although speculative, the loss of sexual dimorphism in H. sapiens may reflect a progressive dependence on STAT5b to control growth.
AB - Homo sapiens (H. sapiens) exhibits growth characteristics not observed in other mammals, including other primates. Both male and female H. sapiens experience pubertal growth spurts and are not sexually dimorphic in adult stature. These unique growth characteristics must have evolved to benefit the reproductive success and survival of the species. The H. sapiens childhood is relatively protracted, and the pubertal growth spurt may be a compensatory measure to attain adult size in a relatively short time. Because reproductive patterns of H. sapiens have evolved away from a male-dominated social structure, large male size no longer confers a reproductive advantage. The relatively large female size of H. sapiens might have evolved to support the birth of offspring with ever-increasing cranial characteristics. Growth in H. sapiens depends largely on GH-dependent STAT5b regulation of IGF-I expression. STAT5b in other mammals contributes to growth in males only. Although speculative, the loss of sexual dimorphism in H. sapiens may reflect a progressive dependence on STAT5b to control growth.
KW - Growth hormone
KW - Homo sapiens
KW - Insulin-like growth factor-I
KW - Pubertal growth spurt
KW - Sexual dimorphism
KW - STAT5b (signal transducers and activators of transcription 5b)
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=4644307112&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
VL - 17
SP - 1267
EP - 1271
JO - Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism
JF - Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism
SN - 0334-018X
IS - SUPPL. 4
ER -