Hormonal influences on sexual partner preference in rams

Charles E. Roselli, John A. Resko, Fred Stormshak

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

Domestic rams display a naturally occurring variation in sexual partner preference, such that 6-10% of range-bred populations prefer male sexual partners (male-oriented) in contrast to the majority of rams that prefer female sexual partners (female-oriented). Male-oriented rams exhibit hormone profiles and stress responses distinctly different from their heterosexual counterparts. These differences include reduced circulating levels of testosterone that arise after anesthetization. Lower levels of aromatase activity in the medial preoptic area and estrogen receptor in the amygdala were also measured in male-oriented versus female-oriented rams and may represent an important link to sexual behavior that should be investigated. It is anticipated that the male-oriented ram model will be useful for studies aimed at identifying both the activational and organizational components and the neuronal substrates of male sexual partner preferences.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)43-49
Number of pages7
JournalArchives of Sexual Behavior
Volume31
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2002

Keywords

  • Cytochrome P450 aromatase
  • Estradiol
  • Mate preference
  • Preoptic area
  • Sexual partner preference
  • Testosterone

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
  • General Psychology

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