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Hough D, Robinson JE, Bellingham M, Fleming LM, McLaughlin M, Jama K, Haraldsen IRH, Solbakk AK, Evans NP. Peripubertal GnRH and testosterone co-treatment leads to increased familiarity preferences in male sheep. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 108:70-77. [PMID: 31229635 PMCID: PMC6712355 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Chronic gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) treatment is effective for the medical suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in situations like central precocious puberty and gender dysphoria. However, its administration during the peripubertal period could influence normal brain development and function because GnRH receptors are expressed in brain regions that regulate emotions, cognition, motivation and memory. This study used an ovine model to determine whether chronic peripubertal GnRHa-treatment affected the developmental shift from preference of familiarity to novelty. Experimental groups included Controls and GnRHa-treated rams. To differentiate between effects of altered GnRH signaling and those associated with the loss of sex steroids, a group was also included that received testosterone replacement as well as GnRHa (GnRHa + T). Preference for a novel versus familiar object was assessed during 5-min social isolation at 8, 28 and 46 weeks of age. Approach behavior was measured as interactions with and time spent near the objects, whereas avoidance behavior was measured by time spent in the entrance zone and attempts to escape the arena via the entry point. Emotional reactivity was measured by the number of vocalizations, escape attempts and urinations. As Control and GnRHa-treated rams aged, their approach behaviors showed a shift from preference for familiarity (8 weeks) to novelty (46 weeks). In contrast, relative to the Controls the GnRHa + T rams exhibited more approach behaviors towards both objects, at 28 and 46 weeks of age and preferred familiarity at 46 weeks of age. Vocalisation rate was increased in GnRHa treated rams in late puberty (28 weeks) compared to both Control and GnRHa + T rams but this effect was not seen in young adulthood (46 weeks). These results suggest that the specific suppression of testosterone during a developmental window in late puberty may reduce emotional reactivity and hamper learning a flexible adjustment to environmental change. The results also suggest that disruption of either endogenous testosterone signalling or a synergistic action between GnRH and testosterone signalling, may delay maturation of cognitive processes (e.g. information processing) that affects the motivation of rams to approach and avoid objects.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Hough
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - JE Robinson
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - M Bellingham
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - LM Fleming
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - M McLaughlin
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - K Jama
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - IRH Haraldsen
- Department of Neuropsychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, Division of Surgery and Clinical Neuroscience, Oslo University Hospital – Rikshospitalet, 0027 Oslo, Norway
| | - AK Solbakk
- Department of Neurosurgery, Division of Surgery and Clinical Neuroscience, Oslo University Hospital – Rikshospitalet, 0027 Oslo, Norway,Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Pb 1094 Blindern, 0317 Oslo, Norway,Department of Neuropsychology, Helgeland Hospital, 8607 Mosjøen, Norway
| | - NP Evans
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK,Corresponding author.
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Becker I, Nieder TO, Cerwenka S, Briken P, Kreukels BPC, Cohen-Kettenis PT, Cuypere G, Haraldsen IRH, Richter-Appelt H. Body Image in Young Gender Dysphoric Adults: A European Multi-Center Study. Arch Sex Behav 2016; 45:559-74. [PMID: 25836027 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-015-0527-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2013] [Revised: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 01/01/2015] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The alteration of sex-specific body features and the establishment of a satisfactory body image are known to be particularly relevant for individuals with Gender Dysphoria (GD). The aim of the study was to first develop new scales and examine the psychometric properties of the Hamburg Body Drawing Scale (Appelt & Strauß 1988). For the second part of this study, the satisfaction with different body features in young GD adults before cross-sex treatment were compared to female and male controls. Data collection took place within the context of the European Network for the Investigation of Gender Incongruence (ENIGI) including 135 female-to-male (FtMs) and 115 male-to-female (MtFs) young GD adults and 235 female and 379 male age-adjusted controls. The five female and six male body feature subscales revealed good internal consistency. The ENIGI sample reported less satisfaction with overall appearance (d = 0.30) and with all of their body features than controls, but no subgroup differences for sexual orientation (FtM and MtF) and Age of Onset (FtM) were found. Body dissatisfaction was higher with regard to sex-specific body features (largest effect sizes of d = 3.21 for Genitalia in FtMs and d = 2.85 for Androgen-responsive features and genitalia in MtFs) than with those that appeared less related to the natal sex (d = 0.64 for Facial features in FtMs and d = 0.59 for Body shape in MtFs). Not only medical body modifying interventions, but also psychosocial guidance with regard to body image might be helpful for GD individuals before transitioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inga Becker
- Institute for Sex Research and Forensic Psychiatry, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Timo O Nieder
- Institute for Sex Research and Forensic Psychiatry, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Cerwenka
- Institute for Sex Research and Forensic Psychiatry, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Peer Briken
- Institute for Sex Research and Forensic Psychiatry, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Peggy T Cohen-Kettenis
- Department of Medical Psychology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - GrietDe Cuypere
- Department of Sexology and Gender Problems, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ira R Hebold Haraldsen
- Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Department of Neuropsychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Hertha Richter-Appelt
- Institute for Sex Research and Forensic Psychiatry, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
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Cerwenka S, Nieder TO, Cohen-Kettenis P, De Cuypere G, Haraldsen IRH, Kreukels BPC, Richter-Appelt H. Sexual behavior of gender-dysphoric individuals before gender-confirming interventions: a European multicenter study. J Sex Marital Ther 2014; 40:457-71. [PMID: 24846436 DOI: 10.1080/0092623x.2013.772550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
A transsexual course of development that starts before puberty (early onset) or during or after puberty, respectively (late onset), may lead to diverse challenges in coping with sexual activity. The authors explored the sexual behavior of 380 adult male-to-female and female-to-male individuals diagnosed according to DSM-IV-TR criteria who had not yet undergone gender-confirming interventions. Data originated from the European Network for the Investigation of Gender Incongruence Initiative, conducted in Belgium, Germany, The Netherlands, and Norway. Information on outcome variables was collected using self-administered questionnaires at first clinical presentation. Compared with late-onset male-to-females, early-onset individuals tended to show sexual attraction toward males more frequently (50.5%), involve genitals less frequently in partner-related sexual activity, and consider penile sensations and orgasm as more negative. Early-onset female-to-males predominantly reported sexual attraction toward females (84.0%), whereas those with a late-onset more frequently showed other sexual attractions (41.7%). The study (a) shows that early- and late-onset male-to-females differ considerably with regard to coping strategies involving their body during sexual relations and (b) reveals initial insights into developmental pathways of late-onset female-to-males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Cerwenka
- a University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf , Department of Sex Research and Forensic Psychiatry , Hamburg , Germany
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Nieder TO, Herff M, Cerwenka S, Preuss WF, Cohen‐Kettenis PT, De Cuypere G, Hebold Haraldsen IR, Richter‐Appelt H. Age of Onset and Sexual Orientation in Transsexual Males and Females. J Sex Med 2011; 8:783-91. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.02142.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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