Estradiol - Role in Sex Differentiation of The Brain

Role in Sex Differentiation of The Brain

Recently, the volumes of sexually dimorphic brain structures in phenotypical males were found to change and approximate typical female brain structures when exposed to estradiol over a period of months., suggesting estradiol has a significant part to play in sex differentiation of the brain, both prenatally and throughout life.

There is also evidence the programming of adult male sexual behavior in many vertebrates is largely dependent on estradiol produced during prenatal life and early infancy. It is not yet known whether this process plays a significant role in human sexual behavior, although evidence from other mammals tends to indicate a connection.

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