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Fishman R, Kralj-Fišer S, Marglit S, Koren L, Vortman Y. Fathers and sons, mothers and daughters: Sex-specific genetic architecture for fetal testosterone in a wild mammal. Horm Behav 2024; 161:105525. [PMID: 38452612 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2024.105525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Testosterone plays a critical role in mediating fitness-related traits in many species. Although it is highly responsive to environmental and social conditions, evidence from several species show a heritable component to its individual variation. Despite the known effects that in utero testosterone exposure have on adult fitness, the heritable component of individual testosterone variation in fetuses is mostly unexplored. Furthermore, testosterone has sex-differential effects on fetal development, i.e., a specific level may be beneficial for male fetuses but detrimental for females, producing sexual conflict. Such sexual conflict may be resolved by the evolution of a sex-specific genetic architecture of the trait. Here, we quantified fetal testosterone levels in a wild species, free-ranging nutrias (Myocastor coypus) using hair-testing and estimated testosterone heritability between parent and offspring from the same and opposite sex. We found that in utero accumulated hair testosterone levels were heritable between parents and offspring of the same sex. Moreover, there was a low additive genetic covariance between the sexes, and a low cross-sex genetic correlation, suggesting a potential for sex-specific trait evolution, expressed early on, in utero.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Fishman
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel(1); The Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel.
| | - Simona Kralj-Fišer
- Scientific and Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Jovan Hadži Institute of Biology, Evolutionary Zoology Laboratory, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Sivan Marglit
- Hula Research Center, Department of Animal Sciences, Tel-Hai College, Upper Galilee 1220800, Israel
| | - Lee Koren
- The Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel.
| | - Yoni Vortman
- Hula Research Center, Department of Animal Sciences, Tel-Hai College, Upper Galilee 1220800, Israel; MIGAL-Galilee Research Institute, 11016 Kiryat Shmona, Israel
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2
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Fishman R, Koren L, Ben-Shlomo R, Shanas U, Vortman Y. Paternity share predicts sons' fetal testosterone. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16737. [PMID: 37794058 PMCID: PMC10551022 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42718-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple paternity is common in many species. While its benefits for males are obvious, for females they are less clear. Female indirect benefits may include acquiring 'good genes' for offspring or increasing litter genetic diversity. The nutria (Myocastor coypus) is a successful invasive species. In its native habitat, it is polygynous, with larger and more aggressive males monopolizing paternity. Here, using culled nutria we genetically examined multiple paternity in-utero and found a high incidence of multiple paternity and maintenance of the number of fathers throughout gestation. Moreover, male fetuses sired by the prominent male have higher testosterone levels. Despite being retained, male fetuses of 'rare' fathers, siring commonly only one of the fetuses in the litter, have lower testosterone levels. Considering the reproductive skew of nutria males, if females are selected for sons with higher future reproductive success, low testosterone male fetuses are expected to be selected against. A possible ultimate explanation for maintaining multiple paternity could be that nutria females select for litter genetic diversity e.g., a bet-hedging strategy, even at the possible cost of reducing the reproductive success of some of their sons. Reproductive strategies that maintain genetic diversity may be especially beneficial for invasive species, as they often invade through a genetic bottleneck.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Fishman
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, 76100, Rehovot, Israel.
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, 5290002, Ramat-Gan, Israel.
| | - Lee Koren
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, 5290002, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Rachel Ben-Shlomo
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa-Oranim, 3600600, Tivon, Israel
| | - Uri Shanas
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa-Oranim, 3600600, Tivon, Israel
| | - Yoni Vortman
- Hula Research Center, Department of Animal Sciences, Tel-Hai College, 1220800, Upper Galilee, Israel
- MIGAL-Galilee Research Institute, 11016, Kiryat Shmona, Israel
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3
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Hauger RL, Saelzler UG, Pagadala MS, Panizzon MS. The role of testosterone, the androgen receptor, and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in depression in ageing Men. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2022; 23:1259-1273. [PMID: 36418656 PMCID: PMC9789012 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-022-09767-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Considerable research has shown that testosterone regulates many physiological systems, modulates clinical disorders, and contributes to health outcome. However, studies on the interaction of testosterone levels with depression and the antidepressant effect of testosterone replacement therapy in hypogonadal men with depression have been inconclusive. Current findings indicate that low circulating levels of total testosterone meeting stringent clinical criteria for hypogonadism and testosterone deficiency induced by androgen deprivation therapy are associated with increased risk for depression and current depressive symptoms. The benefits of testosterone replacement therapy in men with major depressive disorder and low testosterone levels in the clinically defined hypogonadal range remain uncertain and require further investigation. Important considerations going forward are that major depressive disorder is a heterogeneous phenotype with depressed individuals differing in inherited polygenic determinants, onset and clinical course, symptom complexes, and comorbidities that contribute to potential multifactorial differences in pathophysiology. Furthermore, polygenic mechanisms are likely to be critical to the biological heterogeneity that influences testosterone-depression interactions. A genetically informed precision medicine approach using genes regulating testosterone levels and androgen receptor sensitivity will likely be essential in gaining critical insight into the role of testosterone in depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard L Hauger
- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health (CESAMH), VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA.
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Ursula G Saelzler
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Meghana S Pagadala
- Medical Scientist Training Program, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Biomedical Science Program, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Matthew S Panizzon
- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health (CESAMH), VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Fukutomi M, Uedono C, Fujii A, Sato Y. Lrriq1 is an essential factor for fertility by suppressing apoptosis. J Assist Reprod Genet 2022; 39:2647-2657. [PMID: 36129630 PMCID: PMC9723037 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-022-02623-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Leucine-rich repeats and IQ motif containing 1 (LRRIQ1) gene is reportedly associated with plasma inhibin B levels. However, the function of LRRIQ1 remains unknown. In this study, we generated Lrriq1 knockout mice (Lrriq1-/- mice) and examined the effects of LRRIQ1 on inhibin B and fertility. METHODS Lrriq1-/- mice were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology. The expression of Inhibin B was examined by Western blotting using a protein extracted from the testis of a 3-month-old male mouse. Mating experiments were conducted using 7-week-old Lrriq1-/- mice and wild-type (WT) mice to examine fertility. Sperm concentration and sperm motility were measured using 3-month-old male mice. RESULTS Expression analysis of inhibin B revealed that Lrriq1-/- mice exhibited reduced mRNA and protein levels of inhibin alpha (Inha), which constitutes the α subunit. In the mating experiment, the litter size of Lrriq1-/- male mice was 4.3 ± 2.9, which was significantly lower than that of WT male mice (8.3 ± 1.3) (p < 0.001). No difference in sperm count was observed between Lrriq1-/- and WT male mice; however, sperm motility (%) was significantly reduced in Lrriq1-/- mice (48.4 ± 4.9) when compared with WT mice (70.2 ± 4.7) (p < 0.001). Based on TUNEL staining, the testes and epididymal sperm of Lrriq1-/- mice showed high numbers of apoptosis-positive cells. CONCLUSION Lrriq1 knockout reduced sperm motility and litter size by inducing apoptosis of testicular germ cells and epididymal sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayu Fukutomi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Information Science, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-78-1 Sho-machi, Tokushima, Tokushima, 770-8505, Japan
| | - Chiharu Uedono
- Department of Pharmaceutical Information Science, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-78-1 Sho-machi, Tokushima, Tokushima, 770-8505, Japan
| | - Aki Fujii
- Department of Pharmaceutical Information Science, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-78-1 Sho-machi, Tokushima, Tokushima, 770-8505, Japan
| | - Youichi Sato
- Department of Pharmaceutical Information Science, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-78-1 Sho-machi, Tokushima, Tokushima, 770-8505, Japan.
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Alex AM, Ruvio T, Xia K, Jha SC, Girault JB, Wang L, Li G, Shen D, Cornea E, Styner MA, Gilmore JH, Knickmeyer RC. Influence of gonadal steroids on cortical surface area in infancy. Cereb Cortex 2022; 32:3206-3223. [PMID: 34952542 PMCID: PMC9340392 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex differences in the human brain emerge as early as mid-gestation and have been linked to sex hormones, particularly testosterone. Here, we analyzed the influence of markers of early sex hormone exposure (polygenic risk score (PRS) for testosterone, salivary testosterone, number of CAG repeats, digit ratios, and PRS for estradiol) on the growth pattern of cortical surface area in a longitudinal cohort of 722 infants. We found PRS for testosterone and right-hand digit ratio to be significantly associated with surface area, but only in females. PRS for testosterone at the most stringent P value threshold was positively associated with surface area development over time. Higher right-hand digit ratio, which is indicative of low prenatal testosterone levels, was negatively related to surface area in females. The current work suggests that variation in testosterone levels during both the prenatal and postnatal period may contribute to cortical surface area development in female infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Mary Alex
- Neuroengineering Division, Institute for Quantitative Health Sciences and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Tom Ruvio
- Neuroengineering Division, Institute for Quantitative Health Sciences and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Kai Xia
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Shaili C Jha
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jessica B Girault
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Gang Li
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Dinggang Shen
- School of Biomedical Engineering, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- Department of Artificial Intelligence, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Emil Cornea
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Martin A Styner
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Computer Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - John H Gilmore
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Rebecca C Knickmeyer
- Address correspondence to Rebecca C. Knickmeyer, Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, 775 Woodlot Dr, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
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Priskorn L, Joensen UN, Petersen JH, Jensen TK, Skakkebaek NE, Jørgensen N. Familial resemblance in markers of testicular function in fathers and their young sons: a cross-sectional study. Hum Reprod 2021; 36:543-550. [PMID: 33367654 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deaa314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is testicular function associated within father-son pairs? SUMMARY ANSWER Familial resemblance in testis volume and serum markers of spermatogenesis was observed in father-son pairs. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Studies suggest familial clustering of male subfertility and impaired spermatogenesis, but in men from the general population little is known about concordance in testicular function between fathers and sons. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This cross-sectional study with simultaneous collection of data in fathers and sons included 72 pairs (144 fathers and sons), unselected regarding testicular function were included. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS A subgroup of men from the background population and participating in a study on testicular function were asked permission to invite their fathers to participate in a similar setup. Fathers (median age of 53 years) and sons (median age of 19 years) participated in the same study setup including assessment of testis size, having a blood sample taken and analysed for serum levels of reproductive hormones (FSH, inhibin B, LH, testosterone, oestradiol, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and calculated free testosterone) and delivering a semen sample for assessment of traditional semen parameters. Mixed-effects models were fitted to estimate the familial resemblance as the proportion of variance in markers of testicular function due to shared factors for fathers and sons accounted for using random-effects. Variance components were calculated from both unadjusted and adjusted models. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE After adjustments, variance component analyses showed that familial resemblance between fathers and sons accounted for 48% (P < 0.001) of the variation in testicular volume, 32% (P = 0.009) of the variation in FSH, 31% (P = 0.009) of the variation in the inhibin B/FSH ratio, 33% (P = 0.007) and 45% (P < 0.001) of the variation in testosterone and free testosterone, respectively, and 31% (P = 0.009) of the variation in SHBG. None of the semen parameters were associated within father-son pairs. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The present study may have lacked power to detect associations for semen quality, as large intra- and inter-individual variation occur in semen parameters. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS In this study, testis volume, serum testosterone and serum markers of spermatogenesis including FSH were associated in fathers and sons, suggesting an impact of paternal genetics for testicular function in the son. However, the estimated familial resemblance for spermatogenesis markers highlights that other factors, such as maternal genetics and prenatal as well as adult exposures, are also of major importance for testicular function. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) The study has received funding from Danish Health Authority, Research Fund of the Capital Region of Denmark and Independent Research Fund Denmark (8020-00218B). None of the funders had any role in the study design, collection, analysis or interpretation of data, writing of the paper of publication decisions. The authors have nothing to disclose. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lærke Priskorn
- Department of Growth and Reproduction and EDMaRC, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ulla Nordström Joensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction and EDMaRC, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Urology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jørgen Holm Petersen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction and EDMaRC, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Biostatistics, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tina Kold Jensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction and EDMaRC, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Environmental Medicine, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Niels Erik Skakkebaek
- Department of Growth and Reproduction and EDMaRC, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Niels Jørgensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction and EDMaRC, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Genetic Susceptibility for Low Testosterone in Men and Its Implications in Biology and Screening: Data from the UK Biobank. EUR UROL SUPPL 2021; 29:36-46. [PMID: 34337532 PMCID: PMC8317803 DOI: 10.1016/j.euros.2021.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite strong evidence of heritability, few studies have attempted to unveil the genetic underpinnings of testosterone levels. Objective To identify testosterone-associated loci in a large study and assess their biological and clinical implications. Design, setting, and participants The participants were men from the UK Biobank. A two-stage genome-wide association study (GWAS) was first used to identify/validate loci for low testosterone (LowT, <8 nmol/l) in 80% of men (N = 148 902). The cumulative effect of independent LowT risk loci was then evaluated in the remaining 20% of men. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with LowT were tested using an additive model. Analyses of the expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) were performed to assess the associations between significant SNPs and expression of nearby genes (within 1 Mbp). A genetic risk score (GRS) was used to assess the cumulative effect of multiple independent SNPs on LowT risk. Results and limitations The two-stage GWAS found SNPs in 141 loci of 41 cytobands that were significantly associated with LowT (p < 5 × 10–8), including 94 novel loci from 38 cytobands. An eQTL analysis of these 141 loci revealed significant associations with RNA expression of 155 genes, including previously implicated (SHBG and JMJD1C) and novel (LIN28B, LCMT2, and ZBTB4) genes. Among the 141 loci, 42 were independently associated with LowT after a multivariable analysis. The GRS based on these 42 loci was significantly associated with LowT risk in independent individuals (N = 37 225, ptrend = 3.16 × 10–162). The risk ratio for LowT between men in the top and those in the bottom GRS deciles was 4.98-fold. Results are limited in generalizability as only Caucasians were studied. Conclusions Identification of the genetic variants associated with LowT may improve our understanding of its etiology and identify high-risk men for LowT screening. Patient summary We identified 141 new genetic loci that can be incorporated into a genetic risk score that can potentially identify men with low testosterone.
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Sato Y, Tajima A, Kiguchi M, Kogusuri S, Fujii A, Sato T, Nozawa S, Yoshiike M, Mieno M, Kojo K, Uchida M, Tsuchiya H, Yamasaki K, Imoto I, Iwamoto T. Genome-wide association study of semen volume, sperm concentration, testis size, and plasma inhibin B levels. J Hum Genet 2020; 65:683-691. [PMID: 32341457 DOI: 10.1038/s10038-020-0757-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Semen quality is affected by environmental factors, endocrine function abnormalities, and genetic factors. A GWAS recently identified ERBB4 at 2q34 as a genetic locus associated with sperm motility. However, GWASs for human semen volume and sperm concentration have not been conducted. In addition, testis size also reportedly correlates with semen quality, and it is important to identify genes that affect testis size. Reproductive hormones also play an important role in spermatogenesis. To date, genetic loci associated with plasma testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels have been identified using GWASs. However, GWASs have not identified any relevant loci for plasma inhibin B levels. We conducted a two-stage GWAS using 811 Japanese men in a discovery stage followed by a replication stage using an additional 721 Japanese men. The results of the discovery and replication stages were combined into a meta-analysis. After setting a suggestive significance threshold for P values < 5 × 10-6 in the discovery stage, we identified ten regions with SNPs (semen volume: one, sperm concentration: three, testes size: two, and inhibin B: four). We selected only the most significant SNP in each region for replication genotyping. Combined discovery and replication results in the meta-analysis showed that the locus 12q21.31 associated with plasma inhibin B levels (rs11116724) had the most significant association (P = 5.7 × 10-8). The LRRIQ1 and TSPAN19 genes are located in the 12q21.31 region. This study provides new susceptibility variants that contribute to plasma inhibin B levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youichi Sato
- Department of Pharmaceutical Information Science, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, 770-8505, Japan.
| | - Atsushi Tajima
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, Graduate School of Advanced Preventive Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, 920-8640, Japan.
| | - Misaki Kiguchi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Information Science, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, 770-8505, Japan
| | - Suzu Kogusuri
- Department of Pharmaceutical Information Science, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, 770-8505, Japan
| | - Aki Fujii
- Department of Pharmaceutical Information Science, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, 770-8505, Japan
| | - Takehiro Sato
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, Graduate School of Advanced Preventive Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, 920-8640, Japan
| | - Shiari Nozawa
- Department of Urology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, 216-8511, Japan
| | - Miki Yoshiike
- Department of Urology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, 216-8511, Japan
| | - Makiko Mieno
- Department of Medical Informatics, Center for Information, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, 329-0498, Japan
| | - Kosuke Kojo
- Center for Infertility and IVF, International University of Health and Welfare Hospital, Tochigi, 329-2763, Japan.,Department of Urology, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Ibaraki, 305-8576, Japan
| | - Masahiro Uchida
- Center for Infertility and IVF, International University of Health and Welfare Hospital, Tochigi, 329-2763, Japan.,Urology department, Tsukuba Gakuen Hospital, Ibaraki, 305-0854, Japan
| | - Haruki Tsuchiya
- Center for Infertility and IVF, International University of Health and Welfare Hospital, Tochigi, 329-2763, Japan
| | - Kazumitu Yamasaki
- Center for Infertility and IVF, International University of Health and Welfare Hospital, Tochigi, 329-2763, Japan.,Urology department, Tsukuba Gakuen Hospital, Ibaraki, 305-0854, Japan
| | - Issei Imoto
- Division of Molecular Genetics, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Aichi, 464-8681, Japan
| | - Teruaki Iwamoto
- Department of Urology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, 216-8511, Japan.,Center for Infertility and IVF, International University of Health and Welfare Hospital, Tochigi, 329-2763, Japan.,Department of Male Infertility, Reproduction Center, Sanno Hospital, Tokyo, 107-0052, Japan
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Yan J, Tian Y, Gao X, Cui L, Ning Y, Cao Y, Chen Y, Peng F, You L, Liu F, Zhao H. A genome-wide association study identifies FSHR rs2300441 associated with follicle-stimulating hormone levels. Clin Genet 2020; 97:869-877. [PMID: 32185793 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) play critical roles in female reproduction, while the underlying genetic basis is poorly understood. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of FSH and LH levels were conducted in 2590 Chinese females including 1882 polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) cases and 708 controls. GWAS for FSH level identified multiple variants at FSHR showing genome-wide significance with the top variant (rs2300441) located in the intron of FSHR. The A allele of rs2300441 led to a reduced level of FSH in the PCOS group (β = -.43, P = 6.70 × 10-14 ) as well as in the control group (β = -.35, P = 6.52 × 10-4 ). In the combined sample, this association was enhanced after adjusting for the PCOS status (before: β = -.38, P = 1.77 × 10-13 ; after: β = -.42, P = 3.33 × 10-16 ), suggesting the genetic effect is independent of the PCOS status. The rs2300441 explained sevenfold higher proportion of the FSH variance than the total variance explained by the two previously reported FSHR missense variants (rs2300441 R2 = 1.40% vs rs6166 R2 = 0.17%, rs6165 R2 = 0.03%). GWAS for LH did not identify any genome-wide significant associations. In conclusion, we identified genome-wide significant association between variants in FSHR and circulating FSH first, with the top associated variant rs2300441 might be a primary contributor at the population level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinting Yan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ye Tian
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Jinan, China.,The Key Laboratory for Reproductive Endocrinology, Shandong University, Ministry of Education, Jinan, China.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xingjian Gao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Linlin Cui
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Jinan, China.,The Key Laboratory for Reproductive Endocrinology, Shandong University, Ministry of Education, Jinan, China
| | - Yunna Ning
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Jinan, China.,The Key Laboratory for Reproductive Endocrinology, Shandong University, Ministry of Education, Jinan, China
| | - Yongzhi Cao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Jinan, China.,The Key Laboratory for Reproductive Endocrinology, Shandong University, Ministry of Education, Jinan, China
| | - Yan Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fuduan Peng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li You
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Jinan, China.,The Key Laboratory for Reproductive Endocrinology, Shandong University, Ministry of Education, Jinan, China
| | - Fan Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Department of Genetic Identification, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Han Zhao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Jinan, China.,The Key Laboratory for Reproductive Endocrinology, Shandong University, Ministry of Education, Jinan, China
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10
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Roosenboom J, Indencleef K, Lee MK, Hoskens H, White JD, Liu D, Hecht JT, Wehby GL, Moreno LM, Hodges-Simeon C, Feingold E, Marazita ML, Richmond S, Shriver MD, Claes P, Shaffer JR, Weinberg SM. SNPs Associated With Testosterone Levels Influence Human Facial Morphology. Front Genet 2018; 9:497. [PMID: 30405702 PMCID: PMC6206510 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Many factors influence human facial morphology, including genetics, age, nutrition, biomechanical forces, and endocrine factors. Moreover, facial features clearly differ between males and females, and these differences are driven primarily by the influence of sex hormones during growth and development. Specific genetic variants are known to influence circulating sex hormone levels in humans, which we hypothesize, in turn, affect facial features. In this study, we investigated the effects of testosterone-related genetic variants on facial morphology. We tested 32 genetic variants across 22 candidate genes related to levels of testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHGB) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) in three cohorts of healthy individuals for which 3D facial surface images were available (Pittsburgh 3DFN, Penn State and ALSPAC cohorts; total n = 7418). Facial shape was described using a recently developed extension of the dense-surface correspondence approach, in which the 3D facial surface was partitioned into a set of 63 hierarchically organized modules. Each variant was tested against each of the facial surface modules in a multivariate genetic association-testing framework and meta-analyzed. Additionally, the association between these candidate SNPs and five facial ratios was investigated in the Pittsburgh 3DFN cohort. Two significant associations involving intronic variants of SHBG were found: both rs12150660 (p = 1.07E-07) and rs1799941 (p = 6.15E-06) showed an effect on mandible shape. Rs8023580 (an intronic variant of NR2F2-AS1) showed an association with the total and upper facial width to height ratios (p = 9.61E-04 and p = 7.35E-04, respectively). These results indicate that testosterone-related genetic variants affect normal-range facial morphology, and in particular, facial features known to exhibit strong sexual dimorphism in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmien Roosenboom
- Department of Oral Biology, Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Karlijne Indencleef
- ESAT-PSI, Department of Electrical Engineering, Medical Imaging Research Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Myoung Keun Lee
- Department of Oral Biology, Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Hanne Hoskens
- ESAT-PSI, Department of Electrical Engineering, Medical Imaging Research Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Julie D White
- Department of Anthropology, Penn State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Dongjing Liu
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Jacqueline T Hecht
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas McGovern Medical Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - George L Wehby
- Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Lina M Moreno
- Department of Orthodontics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | | | - Eleanor Feingold
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Mary L Marazita
- Department of Oral Biology, Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Stephen Richmond
- Applied Clinical Research and Public Health, School of Dentistry, Cardiff University, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Mark D Shriver
- Department of Anthropology, Penn State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Peter Claes
- ESAT-PSI, Department of Electrical Engineering, Medical Imaging Research Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - John R Shaffer
- Department of Oral Biology, Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Seth M Weinberg
- Department of Oral Biology, Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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11
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Grotzinger AD, Mann FD, Patterson MW, Herzhoff K, Tackett JL, Tucker-Drob EM, Harden KP. Twin models of environmental and genetic influences on pubertal development, salivary testosterone, and estradiol in adolescence. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2018; 88:243-250. [PMID: 29161770 PMCID: PMC5771835 DOI: 10.1111/cen.13522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2017] [Revised: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Research on sources of variation in adolescent's gonadal hormone levels is limited. We sought to decompose individual differences in adolescent testosterone, estradiol, and pubertal status, into genetic and environmental components. DESIGN A sample of male and female adolescent twins from the greater Austin and Houston areas provided salivary samples, with a subset of participants providing longitudinal data at 2 waves. PARTICIPANTS The sample included 902 adolescent twins, 49% female, aged 13-20 years (M = 15.91) from the Texas Twin Project. Thirty-seven per cent of twin pairs were monozygotic; 30% were same-sex dizygotic (DZ) pairs; and 33% were opposite-sex DZ pairs. MEASUREMENTS Saliva samples were assayed for testosterone and estradiol using chemiluminescence immunoassays. Pubertal status was assessed using self-report. Biometric decompositions were performed using multivariate quantitative genetic models. RESULTS Genetic factors contributed substantially to variation in testosterone in males and females in the follicular phase of their menstrual cycle (h2 = 60% and 51%, respectively). Estradiol was also genetically influenced in both sexes, but was predominately influenced by nonshared environmental factors. The correlation between testosterone and estradiol was mediated by a combination of genetic and environmental influences for males and females. Genetic and environmental influences on hormonal concentrations were only weakly correlated with self-reported pubertal status, particularly for females. CONCLUSIONS Between-person variability in adolescent gonadal hormones and their interrelationship reflects both genetic and environmental processes, with both testosterone and estradiol containing sizeable heritable components.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Frank D. Mann
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Megan W. Patterson
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Kathrin Herzhoff
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Elliot M. Tucker-Drob
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
- Population Research Center, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - K. Paige Harden
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
- Population Research Center, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
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12
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Sato Y, Tajima A, Katsurayama M, Nozawa S, Yoshiike M, Koh E, Kanaya J, Namiki M, Matsumiya K, Tsujimura A, Komatsu K, Itoh N, Eguchi J, Imoto I, Yamauchi A, Iwamoto T. An independent validation study of three single nucleotide polymorphisms at the sex hormone-binding globulin locus for testosterone levels identified by genome-wide association studies. Hum Reprod Open 2017; 2017:hox002. [PMID: 30895971 PMCID: PMC6276698 DOI: 10.1093/hropen/hox002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Study question Are the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs2075230, rs6259 and rs727428 at the sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) locus, which were identified by genome-wide association studies (GWASs) for testosterone levels, associated with testosterone levels in Japanese men? Summary answer The SNP rs2075230, but not rs6259 and rs727428, is significantly associated with testosterone levels in Japanese men. What is already known Previous GWASs have revealed that rs2075230 is associated with serum testosterone levels in 3495 Chinese men and rs6259 and rs727428 are associated with serum testosterone levels in 3225 men of European ancestry. Study design, size, and duration This is an independent validation study of 1687 Japanese men (901 in Cohort 1 and 786 in Cohort 2). Participants/materials, setting and method Cohort 1 (20.7 ± 1.7 years old, mean ± SD) and Cohort 2 (31.2 ± 4.8 years) included samples obtained from university students and partners of pregnant women, respectively. The three SNPs were genotyped using either TaqMan probes or restriction fragment length polymorphism PCR. Blood samples were drawn from the cubital vein of the study participants in the morning, and total testosterone and SHBG levels were measured using a time-resolved immunofluorometric assay. Association between each SNP and testosterone levels was evaluated by meta-analysis of the two Japanese male cohorts. Main results and the role of chance The age of the two cohorts was significantly different (P < 0.0001). We found that rs2075230 was significantly associated with serum testosterone levels (βSTD = 0.15, P = 7.2 × 10−6); however, rs6259 and rs727428 were not (βSTD = 0.17, P = 0.071; βSTD = 0.082, P = 0.017, respectively), after adjusting for multiple testing in a combined analysis of two Japanese male cohorts. Moreover, rs2075230, rs6259 and rs727428 were significantly associated with high SHBG levels (βSTD = 0.22, P = 3.4 × 10−12; βSTD = 0.23, P = 6.5 × 10−6 and βSTD = 0.21, P = 3.4 × 10−10, respectively). Large scale data Not applicable. Limitations, reasons for caution This study had differences in the age and background parameters of participants compared to those observed in previous GWASs. In addition, the average age of participants in the two cohorts in our study also differed from one another. Therefore, the average testosterone levels, which decrease with age, between studies or the two cohorts were different. Wider implications of the findings The three SNPs have a considerable effect on SHBG levels and hence may indirectly affect testosterone levels. Study funding/competing interests This study was supported partly by the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Japan (1013201) (to T.I.), Grant-in-Aids for Scientific Research (C) (26462461) (to Y.S.) and (23510242) (to A.Ta.) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, the European Union (BMH4-CT96-0314) (to T.I.) and the Takeda Science Foundation (to A.Ta.). There are no conflicts of interest to declare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youichi Sato
- Department of Pharmaceutical Information Science, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, 1-78-1 Sho-machi, Tokushima 770-8505, Japan
| | - Atsushi Tajima
- Department of Human Genetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan.,Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, Graduate School of Advanced Preventive Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan
| | - Motoki Katsurayama
- Department of Pharmaceutical Information Science, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, 1-78-1 Sho-machi, Tokushima 770-8505, Japan
| | - Shiari Nozawa
- Department of Urology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, 2-16-1 Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki 216-8511, Japan
| | - Miki Yoshiike
- Department of Urology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, 2-16-1 Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki 216-8511, Japan
| | - Eitetsue Koh
- Department of Urology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Jiro Kanaya
- Department of Urology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Mikio Namiki
- Department of Urology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Kiyomi Matsumiya
- Department of Urology, Suita Tokushukai Hospital, 1-21 Senriokanishi, Suita 565-0814, Japan
| | - Akira Tsujimura
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-15 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Komatsu
- Department of Urology, Harasanshinkai Hospital, 1-8 Taihaku-machi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka 812-0033, Japan
| | - Naoki Itoh
- Department of Urology, Sapporo Medical University S1 W17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8543, Japan
| | - Jiro Eguchi
- Department of Urology, School of Medical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Issei Imoto
- Department of Human Genetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Aiko Yamauchi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Information Science, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, 1-78-1 Sho-machi, Tokushima 770-8505, Japan
| | - Teruaki Iwamoto
- Department of Urology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, 2-16-1 Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki 216-8511, Japan.,Center for Infertility and IVF, International University of Health and Welfare Hospital, 537-3 Iguchi, Nasushiobara 329-2763, Japan
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13
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Greives TJ, Dochtermann NA, Stewart EC. Estimating heritable genetic contributions to innate immune and endocrine phenotypic correlations: A need to explore repeatability. Horm Behav 2017; 88:106-111. [PMID: 27913139 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2016.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Revised: 11/16/2016] [Accepted: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The immune system plays an important role in enhancing an individual's ability to survive in a world inhabited by pathogens and parasites. The innate immune system is regulated by processes encoded in an individual's genome, providing an avenue for selection to act on this system, as well as the phenotypic relationships generated between this system and other traits of interest. While relationships between innate immunity and endocrine traits (e.g. testosterone) have been reported often in the literature, these relationships are complex and may differ under varying environmental conditions. To better understand the relative contribution of innate immunity (or an endocrine or behavioral trait) to a phenotypic correlation with another trait, an estimation of the underlying heritable genetic variation of the trait of interest is needed. An upper level estimate of the heritability of such traits can be obtained from calculating its repeatability. We conducted a literature review to determine how often repeated samples of measures of innate immune function were conducted and repeatability estimates obtained. This review revealed a very limited number of repeatability estimates, with a large range (0.0-0.9); estimates were exclusively from livestock that have undergone strong artificial selection. This observation of the present literature suggests more work is needed in non-domesticated and free-living animals to begin to understand the underlying genetic contribution of innate immune function to phenotypic correlations of interest (e.g. testosterone and immunity) to behavioral ecologists, evolutionary physiologists and ecoimmunologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J Greives
- Department of Biological Sciences and Environmental and Conservation Sciences Program, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, United States.
| | - Ned A Dochtermann
- Department of Biological Sciences and Environmental and Conservation Sciences Program, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, United States
| | - Emily C Stewart
- Department of Biological Sciences and Environmental and Conservation Sciences Program, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, United States
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14
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Abstract
Subfertility is defined as the condition of being less than normally fertile though still capable of effecting fertilization. When these subfertile couples seek assistance for conception, a thorough evaluation of male endocrine function is often overlooked. Spermatogenesis is a complex process where even subtle alterations in this process can lead to subfertility or infertility. Male endocrine abnormalities may suggest a specific diagnosis contributing to subfertility; however, in many patients, the underlying etiology is still unknown. Optimizing underlying endocrine abnormalities may improve spermatogenesis and fertility. This manuscript reviews reproductive endocrine abnormalities and hormone-based treatments.
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15
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Zhuang WV, Murabito JM, Lunetta KL. Phenotypically Enriched Genotypic Imputation in Genetic Association Tests. Hum Hered 2016; 81:35-45. [PMID: 27576319 DOI: 10.1159/000446986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2014] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In longitudinal epidemiological studies there may be individuals with rich phenotype data who die or are lost to follow-up before providing DNA for genetic studies. Often, the genotypic and phenotypic data of the relatives are available. Two strategies for analyzing the incomplete data are to exclude ungenotyped subjects from analysis (the complete-case method, CC) and to include phenotyped but ungenotyped individuals in analysis by using relatives' genotypes for genotype imputation (GI). In both strategies, the information in the phenotypic data was not used to handle the missing-genotype problem. METHODS We propose a phenotypically enriched genotypic imputation (PEGI) method that uses the EM (expectation-maximization)-based maximum likelihood method to incorporate observed phenotypes into genotype imputation. RESULTS Our simulations with genotypes missing completely at random show that, for a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with moderate to strong effect on a phenotype, PEGI improves power more than GI without excess type I errors. Using the Framingham Heart Study data set, we compare the ability of the PEGI, GI, and CC to detect the associations between 5 SNPs and age at natural menopause. CONCLUSION The PEGI method may improve power to detect an association over both CC and GI under many circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Vivian Zhuang
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Mass., USA
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16
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Sung J, Song YM. Genetic effects on serum testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin in men: a Korean twin and family study. Asian J Androl 2016; 18:786-90. [PMID: 26486061 PMCID: PMC5000805 DOI: 10.4103/1008-682x.164923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2015] [Revised: 04/07/2015] [Accepted: 07/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study to evaluate the role of genetics in determining the individual difference in total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin levels. Study participants comprised 730 Korean men consisting of 142 pairs of monozygotic twins, 191 pairs of siblings, and 259 father-offspring pairs from 270 families who participated in the Healthy Twin study. Serum concentration of total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin were measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay, and free testosterone and bioavailable testosterone were calculated using Vermeulen's method. Quantitative genetic analysis based on a variance decomposition model showed that the heritability of total testosterone, free testosterone, bioavailable testosterone, and sex hormone-binding globulin were 0.56, 0.45, 0.44, and 0.69, respectively after accounting for age and body mass index. Proportions of variance explained by age and body mass index varied across different traits, from 8% for total testosterone to 31% for sex hormone-binding globulin. Bivariate analysis showed a high degree of additive genetic correlation (ρG = 0.67) and a moderate degree of individual-specific environmental correlation (ρE = 0.42) between total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin. The findings confirmed the important role of genetics in determining the individually different levels of testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin during adulthood in Korean men as found in non-Asian populations, which may suggest that common biologic control for determining testosterone level directly or indirectly through binding protein are largely shared among different populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joohon Sung
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, South Korea
- Institute of Health Environment, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, South Korea
| | - Yun-Mi Song
- Department of Family Medicine, Samsung Medical Center and Center for Clinical Research, Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 135-710, South Korea
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17
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Trost LW, Mulhall JP. Challenges in Testosterone Measurement, Data Interpretation, and Methodological Appraisal of Interventional Trials. J Sex Med 2016; 13:1029-46. [PMID: 27209182 PMCID: PMC5516925 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2016.04.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Revised: 04/14/2016] [Accepted: 04/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Male hypogonadism is a common condition, with an increasing body of literature on diagnosis, implications, and management. Given the significant variability in testosterone (T) from a physiologic and assay perspective, a thorough understanding of factors affecting T values and study methodology is essential to interpret reported study outcomes appropriately. However, despite the large number of publications on T, there are no reference materials consolidating all relevant and potentially confounding factors necessary to interpret T studies appropriately. AIMS To create a resource document that reviews sources of T variability, free vs total T, assay techniques and questionnaires, and study methodology relevant to interpreting outcomes. METHODS A PubMed search was performed of all the T literature published on T variability, assay techniques, and T-specific questionnaires. Results were summarized in the context of their impact on interpreting T literature outcomes and methodology. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Effect of various factors on T variability and their relevance to study methodology and outcomes. RESULTS Several factors affect measured T levels, including aging, circadian rhythms, geography, genetics, lifestyle choices, comorbid conditions, and intraindividual daily variability. The utility of free T over total T is debatable and must be compared using appropriate threshold levels. Among various assay techniques, mass spectrometry and equilibrium dialysis are gold standards. Calculated empirical estimates of free T also are commonly used and accepted. Hypogonadism-specific questionnaires have limited utility in screening for hypogonadism, and their role as objective end points for quantifying symptoms remains unclear. Numerous aspects of study methodology can directly or indirectly affect reported outcomes, including design (randomized, prospective, retrospective), duration, populations studied (age, comorbid conditions), low T threshold, therapeutic agent used, objective measurements and end points selected, and statistical interpretation. CONCLUSION Critical appraisal of the T literature requires an understanding of numerous factors resulting in T variability, study design and methodology, and limitations of assay techniques and objective measurement scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Landon W Trost
- Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Urology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - John P Mulhall
- Department of Urology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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18
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Sato Y, Tajima A, Katsurayama M, Nozawa S, Yoshiike M, Koh E, Kanaya J, Namiki M, Matsumiya K, Tsujimura A, Komatsu K, Itoh N, Eguchi J, Imoto I, Yamauchi A, Iwamoto T. A replication study of a candidate locus for follicle-stimulating hormone levels and association analysis for semen quality traits in Japanese men. J Hum Genet 2016; 61:911-915. [PMID: 27357427 DOI: 10.1038/jhg.2016.82] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Revised: 04/21/2016] [Accepted: 06/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In men, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) acts on the seminiferous tubules and enhances spermatogenesis. Recently, a candidate locus (rs2414095) for FSH levels was identified by a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in Chinese men. The rs2414095 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is found on the third intron of the cytochrome P450, family 19, subfamily A, peptide 1 (CYP19A1) gene encoding an aromatase. In the present study, we performed a replication study in 1687 Japanese men (901 from cohort 1 and 786 from cohort 2) to assess whether this SNP is associated with circulating FSH levels. Furthermore, we investigated whether the rs2414095 SNP is correlated with semen quality traits in 2015 Japanese men (1224 from cohort 1 and 791 from cohort 2). The rs2414095 SNP was significantly associated with circulating FSH levels (βSTD=0.15, P=9.7 × 10-5), sperm concentration (βSTD=0.073, P=0.032) and total sperm number (TSN) (βSTD=0.074, P=0.027) in a combined analysis of the two Japanese male cohorts. We successfully replicated, in Japanese men, the results of the previous GWAS for the rs2414095 SNP in Chinese men, and found that the rs2414095 SNP was related with sperm production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youichi Sato
- Department of Pharmaceutical Information Science, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Atsushi Tajima
- Department of Human Genetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan.,Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, Graduate School of Advanced Preventive Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Motoki Katsurayama
- Department of Pharmaceutical Information Science, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Shiari Nozawa
- Department of Urology, St Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Miki Yoshiike
- Department of Urology, St Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Eitetsue Koh
- Department of Urology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Jiro Kanaya
- Department of Urology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Mikio Namiki
- Department of Urology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Japan
| | | | - Akira Tsujimura
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Komatsu
- Department of Urology, Harasanshinkai Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Naoki Itoh
- Department of Urology, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Jiro Eguchi
- Department of Urology, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Issei Imoto
- Department of Human Genetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Aiko Yamauchi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Information Science, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Teruaki Iwamoto
- Department of Urology, St Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan.,Center for Infertility and IVF, International University of Health and Welfare Hospital, Nasushiobara, Japan
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19
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Chen YP, Nie LL, Li HG, Liu TH, Fang F, Zhao K, Yang RF, Ma XL, Kong XB, Zhang HP, Guan HT, Xia W, Hong WX, Duan S, Zeng XC, Shang XJ, Zhou YZ, Gu YQ, Wu WX, Xiong CL. The rs5934505 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is associated with low testosterone and late-onset hypogonadism, but the rs10822184 SNP is associated with overweight and obesity in a Chinese Han population: a case-control study. Andrology 2015; 4:68-74. [PMID: 26602056 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Revised: 10/04/2015] [Accepted: 10/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Low testosterone is associated with late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) and obesity. Recently, studies have shown that four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs12150660, rs727428, rs5934505, and rs10822184, are associated with testosterone levels in populations of European descent. Therefore, we investigated whether the SNP loci are related to low testosterone, LOH, or obesity in a Chinese Han population. Ruling out co-morbidities, DNA was prepared from 409 men (aged 40-65 years) with low serum testosterone (defined as total testosterone <11.6 nmol/L) and 1 : 1 normal controls (matched age, body mass index (BMI), and the same living area) who were selected from 6898 males. According to the same standards, 310 men with LOH and 1 : 1 normal controls were selected from 6898 males. Excluding the cases with an unreliable sequencing result, genetic analyses were performed. The minor allele frequencies of the SNP loci rs12150660, rs727428, rs5934505, and rs10822184 were 0.1%, 44.6%, 18.7%, and 38.9%, respectively. rs5934505 was associated with the serum total testosterone and calculated free testosterone (CFT) levels (p = 0.045 and p = 0.021). rs5934505 (C>T) was associated with an increased risk of low total testosterone, low CFT, and LOH and adjusted for other factors, with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.01 (1.34-3.01), 2.14 (1.42-3.20), and 1.64 (1.04-2.58). rs10822184 was significantly correlated with weight and BMI (p = 0.035 and p = 0.027). rs10822184 (T>C) was associated with an increased risk of overweight and obesity. We adjusted for other factors, with odds ratios (ORs) of 1.94 (1.36-2.78) and 1.56 (1.00-2.43). In summary, our study provided convincing evidence that rs5934505 (C>T) was associated with the risk of low testosterone and LOH in Chinese populations. We were the first to find that rs10822184 (T>C) was significantly correlated with the risk of overweight and obesity in Chinese populations. However, further large and functional studies are warranted to confirm our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y-P Chen
- Family Planning Research Institute/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - L-L Nie
- Medical Laboratory, Shenzhen Research Institute of Population and Family Planning, Futian, Shenzhen, China
| | - H-G Li
- Family Planning Research Institute/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Wuhan Tongji Reproductive Medicine Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - T-H Liu
- Family Planning Research Institute/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - F Fang
- Family Planning Research Institute/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - K Zhao
- Family Planning Research Institute/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - R-F Yang
- Wuhan Tongji Reproductive Medicine Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - X-L Ma
- Family Planning Research Institute/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - X-B Kong
- Family Planning Research Institute/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - H-P Zhang
- Family Planning Research Institute/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Wuhan Tongji Reproductive Medicine Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - H-T Guan
- Family Planning Research Institute/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Wuhan Tongji Reproductive Medicine Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - W Xia
- Family Planning Research Institute/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - W-X Hong
- Medical Laboratory, Shenzhen Research Institute of Population and Family Planning, Futian, Shenzhen, China
| | - S Duan
- Medical Laboratory, Shenzhen Research Institute of Population and Family Planning, Futian, Shenzhen, China
| | - X-C Zeng
- Medical Laboratory, Shenzhen Research Institute of Population and Family Planning, Futian, Shenzhen, China
| | - X-J Shang
- Department of Andrology, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Y-Z Zhou
- School of Public Health, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Y-Q Gu
- Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Health, National Health and Family Planning Commission, National Research Institute for Family Planning, Hai Dian, Beijing, China
| | - W-X Wu
- Guangzhou Institute for Population and Family Planning, Baiyun, Guangzhou, China
| | - C-L Xiong
- Family Planning Research Institute/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Wuhan Tongji Reproductive Medicine Hospital, Wuhan, China
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van Anders SM, Steiger J, Goldey KL. Effects of gendered behavior on testosterone in women and men. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:13805-10. [PMID: 26504229 PMCID: PMC4653185 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1509591112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Testosterone is typically understood to contribute to maleness and masculinity, although it also responds to behaviors such as competition. Competition is crucial to evolution and may increase testosterone but also is selectively discouraged for women and encouraged for men via gender norms. We conducted an experiment to test how gender norms might modulate testosterone as mediated by two possible gender→testosterone pathways. Using a novel experimental design, participants (trained actors) performed a specific type of competition (wielding power) in stereotypically masculine vs. feminine ways. We hypothesized in H1 (stereotyped behavior) that wielding power increases testosterone regardless of how it is performed, vs. H2 (stereotyped performance), that wielding power performed in masculine but not feminine ways increases testosterone. We found that wielding power increased testosterone in women compared with a control, regardless of whether it was performed in gender-stereotyped masculine or feminine ways. Results supported H1 over H2: stereotyped behavior but not performance modulated testosterone. These results also supported theory that competition modulates testosterone over masculinity. Our findings thus support a gender→testosterone pathway mediated by competitive behavior. Accordingly, cultural pushes for men to wield power and women to avoid doing so may partially explain, in addition to heritable factors, why testosterone levels tend to be higher in men than in women: A lifetime of gender socialization could contribute to "sex differences" in testosterone. Our experiment opens up new questions of gender→testosterone pathways, highlighting the potential of examining nature/nurture interactions and effects of socialization on human biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sari M van Anders
- Departments of Psychology and Women's Studies, Program in Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Science, Technology, and Society Programs, and Biosocial Methods Collaborative, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109;
| | - Jeffrey Steiger
- The New Theater of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20052; Center for Research on Learning and Teaching Players Theatre Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
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Abstract
Precision medicine can greatly benefit men's health by helping to prevent, diagnose, and treat prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, infertility, hypogonadism, and erectile dysfunction. For example, precision medicine can facilitate the selection of men at high risk for prostate cancer for targeted prostate-specific antigen screening and chemoprevention administration, as well as assist in identifying men who are resistant to medical therapy for prostatic hyperplasia, who may instead require surgery. Precision medicine-trained clinicians can also let couples know whether their specific cause of infertility should be bypassed by sperm extraction and in vitro fertilization to prevent abnormalities in their offspring. Though precision medicine's role in the management of hypogonadism has yet to be defined, it could be used to identify biomarkers associated with individual patients' responses to treatment so that appropriate therapy can be prescribed. Last, precision medicine can improve erectile dysfunction treatment by identifying genetic polymorphisms that regulate response to medical therapies and by aiding in the selection of patients for further cardiovascular disease screening.
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Ellis L, Hoskin AW. Criminality and the 2D:4D ratio: testing the prenatal androgen hypothesis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OFFENDER THERAPY AND COMPARATIVE CRIMINOLOGY 2015; 59:295-312. [PMID: 24013770 DOI: 10.1177/0306624x13503813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
A decade old theory hypothesizes that brain exposure to androgens promotes involvement in criminal behavior. General support for this hypothesis has been provided by studies of postpubertal circulating levels of testosterone, at least among males. However, the theory also predicts that for both genders, prenatal androgens will be positively correlated with persistent offending, an idea for which no evidence currently exists. The present study used an indirect measure of prenatal androgen exposure-the relative length of the second and fourth fingers of the right hand (r2D:4D)-to test the hypothesis that elevated prenatal androgens promote criminal tendencies later in life for males and females. Questionnaires were administered to 2,059 college students in Malaysia and 1,291 college students in the United States. Respondents reported their r2D:4D relative finger lengths along with involvement in 13 categories of delinquent and criminal acts. Statistically significant correlations between the commission of most types of offenses and r2D:4D ratios were found for males and females even after controlling for age. It is concluded that high exposure to androgens during prenatal development contributes to most forms of offending following the onset of puberty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee Ellis
- University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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24
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Van Hulle CA, Moore MN, Shirtcliff EA, Lemery-Chalfant K, Goldsmith HH. Genetic and Environmental Contributions to Covariation Between DHEA and Testosterone in Adolescent Twins. Behav Genet 2015; 45:324-40. [PMID: 25633628 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-015-9709-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2014] [Accepted: 01/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Although several studies have shown that pubertal tempo and timing are shaped by genetic and environmental factors, few studies consider to what extent endocrine triggers of puberty are shaped by genetic and environmental factors. Doing so moves the field from examining correlated developmentally-sensitive biomarkers toward understanding what drives those associations. Two puberty related hormones, dehydroepiandrosterone and testosterone, were assayed from salivary samples in 118 MZ (62 % female), 111 same sex DZ (46 % female) and 103 opposite-sex DZ twin pairs, aged 12-16 years (M = 13.1, SD = 1.3). Pubertal status was assessed with a composite of mother- and self-reports. We used biometric models to estimate the genetic and environmental influences on the variance and covariance in testosterone and DHEA, with and without controlling for their association with puberty, and to test for sex differences. In males, the variance in testosterone and pubertal status was due to shared and non-shared environmental factors; variation in DHEA was due to genetic and non-shared environmental factors. In females, variance in testosterone was due to genetic and non-shared environmental factors; genetic, shared, and non-shared environmental factors contributed equally to variation in DHEA. In males, the testosterone-DHEA covariance was primarily due to shared environmental factors that overlapped with puberty as well as shared and non-shared environmental covariation specific to testosterone and DHEA. In females, the testosterone-DHEA covariance was due to genetic factors overlapping with pubertal status, and shared and non-shared environmental covariation specific to testosterone and DHEA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol A Van Hulle
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1500 Highland Ave, Madison, WI, 53705, USA,
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Hotaling J, Carrell DT. Clinical genetic testing for male factor infertility: current applications and future directions. Andrology 2014; 2:339-50. [PMID: 24711280 DOI: 10.1111/j.2047-2927.2014.00200.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2014] [Revised: 01/24/2014] [Accepted: 02/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis involves the aggregated action of up to 2300 genes, any of which, could, potentially, provide targets for diagnostic tests of male factor infertility. Contrary to the previously proposed common variant hypothesis for common diseases such as male infertility, genome-wide association studies and targeted gene sequencing in cohorts of infertile men have identified only a few gene polymorphisms that are associated with male infertility. Unfortunately, the search for genetic variants associated with male infertility is further hampered by the lack of viable animal models of human spermatogenesis, difficulty in robustly phenotyping infertile men and the complexity of pedigree studies in male factor infertility. In this review, we describe basic genetic principles involved in understanding the genetic basis of male infertility and examine the utility and proper clinical use of the proven genetic assays of male factor infertility, specifically Y chromosome microdeletions, chromosomal translocations, karyotype, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator mutation analysis and sperm genetic tests. Unfortunately, these tests are only able to diagnose the cause of about 20% of male factor infertility. The remainder of the review will be devoted to examining novel tests and diagnostic tools that have the potential to explain the other 80% of male factor infertility that is currently classified as idiopathic. Those tests include epigenetic analysis of the spermatozoa and the evaluation of rare genetic variants and copy number variations in patients. Success in advancing to the implementation of such areas is not only dependent on technological advances in the laboratory, but also improved phenotyping in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Hotaling
- Department of Surgery (Urology), University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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Travison TG, Zhuang WV, Lunetta KL, Karasik D, Bhasin S, Kiel DP, Coviello AD, Murabito JM. The heritability of circulating testosterone, oestradiol, oestrone and sex hormone binding globulin concentrations in men: the Framingham Heart Study. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2014; 80:277-82. [PMID: 23746309 PMCID: PMC3825765 DOI: 10.1111/cen.12260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2013] [Revised: 01/29/2013] [Accepted: 06/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Circulating testosterone, oestradiol and oestrone concentrations vary considerably between men. Although a substantial proportion of this variation may be attributed to morbidity and behavioural factors, these cannot account for its entirety, suggesting genetic inheritance as a potential additional determinant. The analysis described here was intended to estimate the heritability of male circulating total testosterone (TT), calculated free testosterone (cFT), oestrone (E1), oestradiol (E2) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), along with the genetic correlation between these factors. DESIGN Cross-sectional, observational analysis of data from male members of the Offspring and Generation 3 cohorts of the Framingham Heart Study. Data were collected in the years 1998-2005. PARTICIPANTS A total of 3367 community-dwelling men contributed to the analysis, including 1066 father/son and 1284 brother pairs among other family relationships. MEASUREMENTS Levels of serum sex steroids (TT, E1 and E2) were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, SHBG by immunofluorometric assay and cFT by mass action equation. Heritability was obtained using variance components analysis with adjustment for covariates including age, diabetes mellitus, body mass index and smoking status. RESULTS Age-adjusted heritability estimates were 0·19, 0·40, 0·40, 0·30 and 0·41 for cFT, TT, E1, E2 and SHBG, respectively. Adjustment for covariates did not substantially attenuate these estimates; SHBG-adjusted TT results were similar to those obtained for cFT. Genetic correlation coefficients (ρG ) indicated substantial genetic association between TT and cFT (ρG = 0·68), between TT and SHBG (pG = 0·87), between E1 and E2 (ρG = 0·46) and between TT and E2 (ρG = 0·48). CONCLUSION Circulating testosterone, oestradiol and oestrone concentrations exhibit substantial heritability in adult men. Significant genetic association between testosterone and oestrogen levels suggests shared genetic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- T G Travison
- Research Program on Men's Health, Aging and Metabolism, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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Vandenput L, Ohlsson C. Genome-wide association studies on serum sex steroid levels. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2014; 382:758-766. [PMID: 23541950 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2013.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2012] [Revised: 03/12/2013] [Accepted: 03/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Even though the levels of circulating sex steroid hormones are to a large extent heritable, their genetic determinants are largely unknown. With the advent of genome-wide association studies (GWAS), much progress has been made and several genetic loci have been identified to be associated with serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin. The variants identified so far only explain a small amount of the overall heritability, but may help to elucidate the role of sex steroid hormones in common disorders such as hypogonadism, type 2 diabetes and hormone-sensitive cancers. This review provides an overview of the current state of knowledge of the genetic determinants of sex steroid hormones, with a focus on recent GWAS and brief directions for elucidating the remaining heritability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liesbeth Vandenput
- Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Claes Ohlsson
- Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Xia K, Yu Y, Ahn M, Zhu H, Zou F, Gilmore JH, Knickmeyer RC. Environmental and genetic contributors to salivary testosterone levels in infants. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2014; 5:187. [PMID: 25400620 PMCID: PMC4214198 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2014.00187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2014] [Accepted: 10/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Transient activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in early infancy plays an important role in male genital development and sexual differentiation of the brain, but factors contributing to individual variation in testosterone levels during this period are poorly understood. We measured salivary testosterone levels in 222 infants (119 males, 103 females, 108 singletons, 114 twins) between 2.70 and 4.80 months of age. We tested 16 major demographic and medical history variables for effects on inter-individual variation in salivary testosterone. Using the subset of twins, we estimated genetic and environmental contributions to salivary testosterone levels. Finally, we tested single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within ±5 kb of genes involved in testosterone synthesis, transport, signaling, and metabolism for associations with salivary testosterone using univariate tests and random forest (RF) analysis. We report an association between 5 min APGAR scores and salivary testosterone levels in males. Twin modeling indicated that individual variability in testosterone levels was primarily explained by environmental factors. Regarding genetic variation, univariate tests did not reveal any variants significantly associated with salivary testosterone after adjusting for false discovery rate. The top hit in males was rs10923844, an SNP of unknown function located downstream of HSD3B1 and HSD3B2. The top hits in females were two SNPs located upstream of ESR1 (rs3407085 and rs2295190). RF analysis, which reflects joint and conditional effects of multiple variants, indicated that genes involved in regulation of reproductive function, particularly LHCGR, are related to salivary testosterone levels in male infants, as are genes involved in cholesterol production, transport, and removal, while genes involved in estrogen signaling are related to salivary testosterone levels in female infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Xia
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Yang Yu
- Department of Statistics and Operations Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Mihye Ahn
- Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Hongtu Zhu
- Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Fei Zou
- Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - John H. Gilmore
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Rebecca C. Knickmeyer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- *Correspondence: Rebecca C. Knickmeyer, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, 343 Medical Wings C, Campus Box #7160, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7160, USA e-mail:
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Panizzon MS, Hauger R, Jacobson KC, Eaves LJ, York TP, Prom-Wormley E, Grant MD, Lyons MJ, McKenzie R, Mendoza SP, Xian H, Franz CE, Kremen WS. Genetic and environmental influences of daily and intra-individual variation in testosterone levels in middle-aged men. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2013; 38:2163-72. [PMID: 23639251 PMCID: PMC3775872 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2013.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2012] [Revised: 03/27/2013] [Accepted: 04/03/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Testosterone regulates numerous physiological processes, and evidence suggests that it plays a critical role in male aging. It has yet to be determined whether the heritability of testosterone varies in accordance with its diurnal rhythm. Similarly, it is unclear whether changes in testosterone level throughout the day are genetically influenced. The aim of the present study was to determine the degree to which genetic and environmental factors contribute to individual differences in testosterone throughout the day in middle-aged men. METHODS Saliva-based measures of free testosterone, sampled at multiple time-points both at-home and in-lab, were collected from 783 male twins (193 monozygotic pairs, 196 dizygotic pairs, 5 unpaired twins) as part of the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging (VETSA). The average age of participants was 55.9 years (SD=2.6). RESULTS Testosterone levels declined substantially over the course of the day, with 32-39% of the change occurring in the first 30min after waking. Heritability estimates for specific time-points ranged from .02 to .39. The heritability of the average at-home and in-lab testosterone values were notably higher (.42 and .47 respectively). Daily rates of change showed some evidence of genetic influence, with heritability estimates ranging from .15 to .29, whereas there were no observable genetic influences on coefficients of variation. CONCLUSIONS Genetic influences account for a significant proportion of the variance in average testosterone levels, while environmental factors account for the majority of intra-individual variability. These results highlight the need to explore both genetic and individual-specific environmental factors as determinants of free testosterone levels in aging men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S. Panizzon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA,Twin Research Laboratory, Center for Behavioral Genomics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA,Corresponding Author: Dr. Matthew S. Panizzon, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive (MC 0738), La Jolla, CA 9293-0738; Tel: 858-534-8269; Fax: 858-822-5856;
| | - Richard Hauger
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA,Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA
| | | | - Lindon J. Eaves
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA
| | - Timothy P. York
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA
| | - Elizabeth Prom-Wormley
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA
| | | | | | - Ruth McKenzie
- Department of Psychology, Boston University, Boston, MA
| | - Sally P. Mendoza
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Hong Xian
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO,VA St. Louis Healthcare System, St. Louis, MO
| | - Carol E. Franz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA,Twin Research Laboratory, Center for Behavioral Genomics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - William S. Kremen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA,Twin Research Laboratory, Center for Behavioral Genomics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA,Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA
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Evolution and the variation of mammalian sex ratios at birth: Reflections on Trivers and Willard (1973). J Theor Biol 2013; 334:141-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2013.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2013] [Revised: 06/12/2013] [Accepted: 06/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Corbet NJ, Burns BM, Johnston DJ, Wolcott ML, Corbet DH, Venus BK, Li Y, McGowan MR, Holroyd RG. Male traits and herd reproductive capability in tropical beef cattle. 2. Genetic parameters of bull traits. ANIMAL PRODUCTION SCIENCE 2013. [DOI: 10.1071/an12163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
A total of 4063 young bulls of two tropical genotypes (1639 Brahman and 2424 Tropical Composite) raised in northern Australia were evaluated for a comprehensive range of production and reproduction traits up to 24 months of age. Prior to weaning, peripheral blood concentrations of luteinising hormone (LH) and inhibin were measured at 4 months of age. At weaning (6 months) blood insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I) and flight time were recorded. Body composition traits of fat depth and eye-muscle area were determined by ultrasonography at 15 months of age when additional measurements of liveweight, hip height and body condition score were recorded. Bull breeding soundness was evaluated at ~12, 18 and 24 months of age when measurements of scrotal circumference, sheath score, semen mass activity, progressive motility of individual sperm and percent morphologically normal sperm were recorded. Magnitude of heritability and genetic correlations changed across time for some traits. Heritability of LH, inhibin, IGF-I and of 18-month scrotal circumference, mass activity, progressive motility and percent normal sperm was 0.31, 0.74, 0.44, 0.75, 0.24, 0.15 and 0.25, respectively, for Brahmans and 0.48, 0.72, 0.36, 0.43, 0.13, 0.15 and 0.20, respectively, for Tropical Composites. Inhibin and IGF-I had moderate genetic association with percent normal sperm at 24 months in Brahmans but low to negligible associations in Tropical Composites. Body condition score in Brahmans and sperm motility (mass and individual) traits in both genotypes had moderate to strong genetic correlation with percent normal sperm and may prove useful candidates for indirect selection. There is scope to increase scrotal circumference by selection and this will be associated with favourable correlated responses of improved semen quality in both genotypes. The lack of genetic antagonism among bull traits indicates that selection for improved semen quality will not adversely affect other production traits.
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Genetic and environmental contributions to saliva testosterone levels in male and female infant twins. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2012; 37:1954-9. [PMID: 22571885 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2012.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2011] [Revised: 03/27/2012] [Accepted: 04/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Testosterone is the key hormone for the development of male reproductive organs and secondary sexual characteristics. In addition, testosterone is associated with behavioural traits, including sexual behaviour and social dominance. The level of circulating testosterone in the human body is determined by genetic and environmental factors. Twin studies have shown moderate to high heritability in adolescence and adulthood, but heritability in early childhood has not been investigated. This study aimed at disentangling the genetic and environmental contributions to testosterone levels soon after birth. METHODS Using a sample of 314 twin pairs, saliva testosterone levels were measured at 5 months after birth. Quantitative genetic modelling was used to assess genetic and environmental contributions to the variation in testosterone levels. RESULTS Variation in testosterone levels was explained by common (56.6%) and unique (43.4%) environmental factors. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these data from the largest study of twin testosterone levels suggest that, in contrast to findings in adulthood, environmental factors determine the interindividual variability in testosterone levels in early infancy. This may have consequences for the development of sex-related behaviour during childhood and calls for studies designed to unravel specific genetic and environmental factors involved in this process.
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Vuoksimaa E, Kaprio J, Eriksson CJP, Rose RJ. Pubertal testosterone predicts mental rotation performance of young adult males. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2012; 37:1791-800. [PMID: 22520299 PMCID: PMC3670426 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2012.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2011] [Revised: 03/15/2012] [Accepted: 03/15/2012] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Robust sex differences in some spatial abilities that favor males have raised the question of whether testosterone contributes to those differences. There is some evidence for prenatal organizational effects of testosterone on male-favoring spatial abilities, but not much is known about the role of pubertal testosterone levels on adult cognitive abilities. We studied the association between pubertal testosterone (at age 14) and cognitive performance in young adulthood (at age 21-23), assessing male-favoring, female-favoring, and sex-neutral cognitive domains in a population-based sample of 130 male and 178 female twins. Pubertal testosterone was negatively associated with performance in the Mental Rotation Test in young adult men (r=-.27), while among women no significant associations between testosterone and cognitive measures were detected. The significant association among men remained after controlling for pubertal development. Confirmatory within-family comparisons with one-sided significance testing yielded a negative correlation between twin pair differences in testosterone levels and Mental Rotation Test performances in 35 male twin pairs (r=-.32): the twin brother with higher testosterone performed less well on the Mental Rotation Test. That association was evident in 18 pairs of dizygotic male twin pairs (r=-.42; analysis controlling for shared environmental effects). In contrast, the association of differences was not evident among 17 monozygotic male twin pairs (r=-.07; analysis controlling for shared genetic influences). Results suggest that pubertal testosterone levels are related specifically to male-favoring spatial ability and only among men. Within-family analyses implicated possible shared genetic effects between pubertal testosterone and mental rotation ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eero Vuoksimaa
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
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Jin G, Sun J, Kim ST, Feng J, Wang Z, Tao S, Chen Z, Purcell L, Smith S, Isaacs WB, Rittmaster RS, Zheng SL, Condreay LD, Xu J. Genome-wide association study identifies a new locus JMJD1C at 10q21 that may influence serum androgen levels in men. Hum Mol Genet 2012; 21:5222-8. [PMID: 22936694 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/dds361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Circulating androgen levels are often used as indicators of physiological or pathological conditions. More than half of the variance for circulating androgen levels is thought to be genetically influenced. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) has identified two loci, SHBG at 17p13 and FAM9B at Xp22, for serum testosterone (T) levels; however, these explain only a small fraction of inter-individual variability. To identify additional genetic determinants of androgen levels, a GWAS of baseline serum T and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels was conducted in 3225 men of European ancestry from the REduction by DUtasteride of Prostate Cancer Events (REDUCE) study. Cross-validation was used to confirm the observed associations between the drug (n = 1581) and placebo (n = 1644) groups of REDUCE. In addition to confirming the associations of two known loci with serum T levels (rs727428 in SHBG: P = 1.26 × 10(-12); rs5934505 in FAM9B: P = 1.61 × 10(-8)), we identified a new locus, JMJD1C at 10q21 that was associated with serum T levels at a genome-wide significance level (rs10822184: P = 1.12 × 10(-8)). We also observed that the SHBG locus was associated with serum DHT levels (rs727428: P = 1.47 × 10(-11)). Moreover, two additional variants in SHBG [rs72829446, in strong linkage equilibrium with the missense variant D356N (rs6259), and rs1799941] were also independently associated with circulating androgen levels in a statistical scale. These three loci (JMJD1C, SHBG and FAM9B) were estimated to account for ~5.3 and 4.1% of the variance of serum T and DHT levels. Our findings may provide new insights into the regulation of circulating androgens and potential targets for androgen-based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangfu Jin
- Center for Cancer Genomics, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
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Ingebrigtsen TS, Thomsen SF, van der Sluis S, Miller M, Christensen K, Sigsgaard T, Backer V. Genetic influences on pulmonary function: a large sample twin study. Lung 2011; 189:323-30. [PMID: 21660583 DOI: 10.1007/s00408-011-9306-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2010] [Accepted: 05/26/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Heritability of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)), forced vital capacity (FVC), and peak expiratory flow (PEF) has not been previously addressed in large twin studies. We evaluated the genetic contribution to individual differences observed in FEV(1), FVC, and PEF using data from the largest population-based twin study on spirometry. Specially trained lay interviewers with previous experience in spirometric measurements tested 4,314 Danish twins (individuals), 46-68 years of age, in their homes using a hand-held spirometer, and their flow-volume curves were evaluated. Modern variance component sex-limitation models were applied to evaluate possible genetic differences between the sexes for FEV(1), FVC, and PEF. Estimates were adjusted for age, height, and smoking. For FEV(1), additive genetic effects of 61% (95% CI 56-65) were observed. For FVC, the additive genetic contribution was 26% (3-49%) and the dominant genetic contribution was 29% (4-54%). For PEF, our models showed an additive genetic contribution of 43% (31-52%) for men, but genetic influences were not significant in women. We found no significant differences between dizygotic same-sex twins and dizygotic opposite-sex twins for FEV(1), FVC, and PEF, suggesting absence of qualitative genetic differences between the sexes. Sex-difference heritability for PEF suggested possible quantitative genetic differences between the sexes for this index. Genetic effects contributed significantly to individual differences observed in FEV(1), FVC, and PEF. Qualitative sex differences were absent for all spirometric measures, while quantitative sex differences were observed only for PEF, with heritability being substantial in men but negligible in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Truls S Ingebrigtsen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, 2400, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Karasik D. How pleiotropic genetics of the musculoskeletal system can inform genomics and phenomics of aging. AGE (DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS) 2011; 33:49-62. [PMID: 20596786 PMCID: PMC3063644 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-010-9159-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2010] [Accepted: 06/14/2010] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Genetic study can provide insight into the biologic mechanisms underlying inter-individual differences in susceptibility to (or resistance to) organisms' aging. Recent advances in molecular genetics and genetic epidemiology provide the necessary tools to perform a study of the genetic sources of biological aging. However, to be successful, the genetic study of a complex condition requires a heritable phenotype to be developed and validated. Genome-wide association studies offer an unbiased approach to identify new candidate genes for human diseases. It is hypothesized that convergent results from multiple aging-related traits will point out the genes responsible for the general aging of the organism. This perspective focuses on the musculoskeletal aging as an example of an approach to identify a downstream common pathway that summarizes aging processes. Since the musculoskeletal traits are linked to the state of many vital functions, disability, and ultimately survival rates, we postulate that there is significance in studying musculoskeletal aging. Construction of an integrated phenotype of aging can be achieved based on shared genetics among multiple musculoskeletal biomarkers. Valid biomarkers from other systems of the organism should be similarly explored. The new composite aging score needs to be validated by determining whether it predicts all-cause mortality, incidences of major chronic diseases, and disability late in life. Comprehensive databases on biomarkers of musculoskeletal aging in multiple large cohort studies, along with information on various health outcomes, are needed to validate the proposed measure of biological aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Karasik
- Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, Harvard Medical School, 1200 Centre Street, Boston, MA 02131, USA.
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Peper JS, Hulshoff Pol HE, Crone EA, van Honk J. Sex steroids and brain structure in pubertal boys and girls: a mini-review of neuroimaging studies. Neuroscience 2011; 191:28-37. [PMID: 21335066 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2011.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2010] [Revised: 02/02/2011] [Accepted: 02/06/2011] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Puberty is an important period during development hallmarked by increases in sex steroid levels. Human neuroimaging studies have consistently reported that in typically developing pubertal children, cortical and subcortical gray matter is decreasing, whereas white matter increases well into adulthood. From animal studies it has become clear that sex steroids are capable of influencing brain organization, both during the prenatal period as well as during other periods characterized by massive sex steroid changes such as puberty. Here we review structural neuroimaging studies and show that the changes in sex steroids availability during puberty and adolescence might trigger a period of structural reorganization of grey and white matter in the developing human brain. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Neuroactive Steroids: Focus on Human Brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- J S Peper
- Leiden Institute of Psychology, Brain and Development Laboratory, Leiden University, Wassenaarseweg 52, 2333 AK Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Jiang J, Tang NLS, Ohlsson C, Eriksson AL, Vandenput L, Liao C, Wang X, Chan FWK, Kwok A, Orwoll E, Kwok TCY, Woo J, Leung PC. Association of SRD5A2 Variants and Serum Androstane-3α,17β-Diol Glucuronide Concentration in Chinese Elderly Men. Clin Chem 2010; 56:1742-9. [DOI: 10.1373/clinchem.2010.150607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Results of recent studies have demonstrated that genetic variants of the enzyme steroid 5α reductase type II (SRD5A2) are associated with serum concentrations of major androgen metabolites such as conjugates of androstane-3α,17β-diol-glucuronide (3α-diol-G). However, this association was not consistently found among different ethnic groups. Thus, we aimed to determine whether the association with SRD5A2 genetic variations exists in a cohort of healthy Chinese elderly men, by examining 2 metabolite conjugates: androstane-3α,l7β-diol-3-glucuronide (3α-diol-3G) and androstane-3α,17β-diol-17-glucuronide (3α-diol-17G).
METHODS
We used GC-MS and LC-MS to measure serum sex steroid concentrations, including testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, and 3α-diol-3G and 3α-diol-17G in 1182 Chinese elderly men age 65 and older. Genotyping of the 3 SRD5A2 tagSNPs [rs3731586, rs12470143, and rs523349 (V89L)] was performed by using melting-temperature–shift allele-specific PCR.
RESULTS
The well-described SRD5A2 missense variant rs523349 (V89L) was modestly associated with the 3α-diol-17G concentration (P = 0.040). On the other hand, SNP rs12470143 was found to be significantly correlated with 3α-diol-3G concentration (P = 0.021). Results of haplotype analysis suggested that the presence of an A-C-G haplotype leads to an increased 3α-diol-3G concentration, a finding consistent with results of single SNP analysis.
CONCLUSIONS
The genetic variation of SRD5A2 is associated with circulating 3α-diol-3G and 3α-diol-17G concentrations in Chinese elderly men. In addition, we showed that SRD5A2 haplotypic association, rather than a single SNP alone, might be a better predictor of the 3α-diol-G concentration. Thus, the effect of either the haplotype itself or of other ungenotyped SNPs in linkage disequilibrium with the haplotype is responsible for the interindividual variation of 3α-diol-G.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nelson LS Tang
- Departments of Chemical Pathology
- Laboratory of Genetics of Disease Susceptibility, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Claes Ohlsson
- Center for Bone Research at the Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Medicine and
| | - Anna L Eriksson
- Center for Bone Research at the Sahlgrenska Academy, Departments of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Liesbeth Vandenput
- Center for Bone Research at the Sahlgrenska Academy, Departments of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | | | | | - Anthony Kwok
- Jockey Club Centre for Osteoporosis Care and Control, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Eric Orwoll
- Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR
| | | | - Jean Woo
- Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, and
- Community and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, and
| | - Ping Chung Leung
- Jockey Club Centre for Osteoporosis Care and Control, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Panizzon MS, Hauger R, Dale AM, Eaves LJ, Eyler LT, Fischl B, Fennema-Notestine C, Franz CE, Grant MD, Jak AJ, Jacobson KC, Lyons MJ, Mendoza SP, Neale MC, Prom-Wormley EC, Seidman LJ, Tsuang MT, Xian H, Kremen WS. Testosterone modifies the effect of APOE genotype on hippocampal volume in middle-aged men. Neurology 2010; 75:874-80. [PMID: 20819998 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0b013e3181f11deb] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The APOE epsilon4 allele is an established risk factor for Alzheimer disease (AD), yet findings are mixed for how early its effects are manifest. One reason for the mixed results could be the presence of interaction effects with other AD risk factors. Increasing evidence indicates that testosterone may play a significant role in the development of AD. The aim of the present study was to examine the potential interaction of testosterone and APOE genotype with respect to hippocampal volume in middle age. METHODS Participants were men from the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging (n = 375). The mean age was 55.9 years (range 51-59). Between-group comparisons were performed utilizing a hierarchical linear mixed model that adjusted for the nonindependence of twin data. RESULTS A significant interaction was observed between testosterone and APOE genotype (epsilon4-negative vs epsilon4-positive). Those with both low testosterone (> or =1 SD below the mean) and an epsilon4-positive status had the smallest hippocampal volumes, although comparisons with normal testosterone groups were not significant. However, individuals with low testosterone and epsilon4-negative status had significantly larger hippocampal volumes relative to all other groups. A main effect of APOE genotype on hippocampal volume was observed, but only when the APOE-by-testosterone interaction was present. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate an interaction effect between testosterone and the APOE epsilon4 allele on hippocampal volume in middle-aged men, and they may suggest 2 low testosterone subgroups. Furthermore, these results allude to potential gene-gene interactions between APOE and either androgen receptor polymorphisms or genes associated with testosterone production.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Panizzon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California-San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 9293-0738, USA.
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Belva F, Bonduelle M, Painter RC, Schiettecatte J, Devroey P, De Schepper J. Serum inhibin B concentrations in pubertal boys conceived by ICSI: first results. Hum Reprod 2010; 25:2811-4. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deq249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Abstract
To review the influence of sex hormones on the progression of breast, prostate, gynecologic, and colorectal cancer. The literature was reviewed in an informal manner utilizing the authors' prior knowledge to collate the current evidence for the involvement of sex hormones, particularly estrogens and androgens in the progression of a range of hormonally responsive cancers. In particular, the effect of treatment involving hormone withdrawal treatment was considered strong evidence for involvement. The impact of basal levels of endogenous steroids was considered. Data from clinical trials indicate the efficacy of therapeutic interventions that result in ablation or antagonism of host steroids for a range of cancers. Demonstration of the correlation of the completeness of withdrawal with clinical outcome together with direct evidence of progression from studies looking at the influence of tissue and circulating levels of sex hormones more recently in conjunction with gene expression profiles all provide compelling evidence for the involvement of steroids in the progression of disease. The involvement of steroids in the progression of cancer in hormone-sensitive tissues is well established and an important target for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth J. Folkerd
- From the Institute for Cancer Research; and The Royal Marsden Hospital and Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mitch Dowsett
- From the Institute for Cancer Research; and The Royal Marsden Hospital and Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre, London, United Kingdom
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Xita N, Tsatsoulis A. Genetic variants of sex hormone-binding globulin and their biological consequences. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2010; 316:60-5. [PMID: 19733622 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2009.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2009] [Revised: 08/18/2009] [Accepted: 08/30/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Several hormonal and metabolic factors have been found to influence the production of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). In addition, twin studies have suggested that genetic factors may also contribute to variation in SHBG levels. Given the clinical significance of SHBG in regulating bioavailable sex steroid hormones, a number of studies examined the potential association between polymorphisms of SHBG gene and serum SHBG levels as well as their possible contribution in the pathogenesis of common diseases. Thus, polymorphisms of SHBG, altering either the production or the metabolism of the protein, may represent part of the genetic background of sex steroid hormone activity in humans. There is considerable heterogeneity in the results of these studies indicating the multiplicity of the factors influencing SHBG variation. However, the weight of evidence suggests that some common genetic variants of SHBG may influence SHBG levels and in part contribute to the phenotypic expression of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nectaria Xita
- Department of Endocrinology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
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Stone J, Folkerd E, Doody D, Schroen C, Treloar SA, Giles GG, Pike MC, English DR, Southey MC, Hopper JL, Dowsett M. Familial correlations in postmenopausal serum concentrations of sex steroid hormones and other mitogens: a twins and sisters study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2009; 94:4793-800. [PMID: 19850695 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2009-0713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Serum concentrations of some hormones are risk factors for certain cancers, but little is known about their familial associations especially for females. METHODS We measured serum concentrations of estradiol (E(2)), testosterone (T), SHBG, prolactin, and IGF-I for 645 Australian female postmenopausal twins and their sisters [182 monozygotic (MZ) and 107 dizygotic (DZ) pairs and 67 nontwin sisters] using well-established immunoassays. After suitable transformation and adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), and time since menopause, familial correlations and proportions of variance attributed to genetic (h(2)) and nongenetic factors common to sisterships (c(2)) were estimated under the classic twin multivariate normal model using FISHER. RESULTS For all serum concentrations except prolactin, MZ, DZ, and sister pairs were correlated (P < 0.001). MZ correlations were in the range 0.5-0.7, and for all serum concentrations, there were no differences between DZ and sister correlations. MZ correlations were greater than DZ and sister correlations for log SHBG (P = 0.0001), IGF-I (P = 0.0002), and square-root T (P = 0.007) but not log E(2) (P = 0.3), and the respective h(2) estimates were 0.56 (SE = 0.14), 0.53 (0.17), 0.39 (0.14), and 0.14 (0.16). For log E(2) and square-root T, c(2) estimates were 0.39 (0.14) and 0.22 (0.12). CONCLUSION There are strong familial correlations in postmenopausal SHBG, IGF-I, and to a lesser extent T, which are consistent with a genetic etiology. For E(2), and to a lesser extent T, correlations are consistent with substantial nongenetic familial factors. The latter might include maternal effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Stone
- Centre for Molecular, Environmental, Genetic, and Analytic Epidemiology, University of Melbourne, Level 1, 723 Swanston Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053 Australia
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Burri AV, Cherkas LM, Spector TD. The Genetics and Epidemiology of Female Sexual Dysfunction: A Review. J Sex Med 2009; 6:646-57. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2008.01144.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Brosnan M, Walker I. A preliminary investigation into the potential role of waist hip ratio (WHR) preference within the assortative mating hypothesis of autistic spectrum disorders. J Autism Dev Disord 2008; 39:164-71. [PMID: 18600439 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-008-0615-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2007] [Accepted: 06/25/2008] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Of particular interest to studying the etiology of Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) is the potential for multiple risk factors to combine through non-random mechanisms-assortative mating. Both genetic influences and a high-testosterone prenatal environment have been implicated in the etiology of ASDs, and given that waist-hip ratio (WHR) is indicative of a woman's circulating testosterone level, a man attracted to higher-than-average WHR women is likely to have a higher-than-average prenatal testosterone exposure for their offspring. We show that whereas fathers of children without ASD show a statistically reliable preference for WHRs at the low end of the normal range, indicative of women with low testosterone levels, fathers of children diagnosed with ASD do not consistently show this preference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Brosnan
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, UK.
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Shoup ML, Gallup GG. Men's Faces Convey Information about their Bodies and their Behavior: What you see is what you get. EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY 2008. [DOI: 10.1177/147470490800600311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated whether men's faces contain embedded cues that signal differences in individual fitness. Data on shoulder-to-hip ratios (SHR), grip strength, sexual history, and facial photographs were collected from male college students. Female college students rated the photographs for attractiveness We found a striking relationship between ratings of facial attractiveness and body morphology. Males with attractive faces had significantly more masculine, wedge-shaped SHRs. Ratings of facial attractiveness accounted for over 25% of the variance in this sexually dimorphic dimension of male body configuration. Male students with attractive faces also had higher grip strength scores, and more sexual partners. These findings are consistent with a growing body of evidence showing that facial features contain important cues to fitness and hormonal status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie L. Shoup
- Department of Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Gordon G. Gallup
- Department of Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
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