W2L2 - Sex Hormones Flashcards
1.) Why we should study sex hormones 2.) What are sex hormones 3.) Effects on body and brain 4.) Lifespan changes 5.) Mental Health
What are some properties of anxiety disorders and gender?
- Women develop anxiety/stress-related disorders twice the rate of men
- Prevalance rates equal in boys and girls, increased prevalence develops at puberty with sex hormones increases, gender difference reduces post-menopause
- Suggest sex hormones’ role in psychopathology
Even though it’s important to sex hormones, why are there so few?
- More expensive having male and female samples
- More expensive to control menstrual phase
What are the main sex hormones
- ) Estrogen
* Released from ovaries - ) Progestrone
* Released from ovaries - ) Testosterone
- Released from testes
- Males have estrogen at lower levels converted from testosterone
Both men and women have “male” and “female” sex hormones
What explains gender differences?
- Sex differences in brain and body are not all coded in XY chromosome pair
- Exposure to sex hormones both before and after birth (some coded by non-sex chromosomes) required for sexual dimorphism
- Biology, Genetics, Culture, Environment
How does sex hormones impact the brain
Interacts directly with nervous system
- Estrogen and progesterone important in brain development and synaptic plasticity
- Cna influence activity of main NT systems and can directly affect NT receptor function
What is the trend of sex hormones across the lifespan
Puberty
- Marked increase
- Remain high till reproductive stage
Menopause
- Oestrodial decrease markedly at age 50 for women
- Gradual and slight testosterone decrease at older age for men
What happens to hormones at puberty. Explain the neurological process.
- Hypothalamus and pituitary gland involved in release of sex hormones
- GNRH (gonadal releasing hormone) in the pituitary gland stimulate luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to stimulate the respective reproductive organs
- Male testes and female ovaries release testosterone (sperm) and estrogen (egg) respectively
Sex hormones and the menstrual cycle
Start Cycle (day 1-7)
- Estrogen and progesterone are very low are the start of the cycle
- Menstruation
Start-Mid
- Rise in estrogen
Mid Cycle (day 14)
- LH and FSH spikes at midcycle (day 14) in preparation for ovulation
- Estrogen peak
Mid-luteal (day 18-24)
- Spike in progesterone release and a small spike in estrogen
- Progesterone levels remain low until now
- Coincides with cortisol release, associated with increase in intrusive memories and memory consolidation
- Causes breakout phase
Gender differences and behavior in children.
Girls: likes toys that allow nurturance and social play
Boys: likes toys that are more active
- Unclear how much is nature / nurture
- But at 1 day old, baby look at mobile while female look at faces
- Male monkeys play with cars/balls while femlae monkeys play with dolls
What is testosterone associated with, released in relation to, and what should it be conceptualised as?
- T is associated with social aggression
- T is released in response to social challenges
- Male chimps release T and aggression when female chimps in reproductive phase
- T should not be conceptualized in terms of gender but instead in terms of Competition (high T) & Nurturance (low T)
What are gender differences in relation to violence?
- Offending rates consistently higher for men, but divergence in offending rates between genders (where male ncrease substantially) coincides with puberty.
- Role of Testosterone in violence
What is estrogen involved in?
Social Behaviour
- Higher levels of estrogen linked to better mood, improved memory and EF
- Administration of estrogen can bias decision-making toward smaller, more accessible goals
What is the difference betweeen hormones and pheromones
- Hormones transmit messages from one part of the body (the secreting gland) to another (the target tissue).
- Pheromones are chemicals that carry messages from one animal to another
- Released from one animal
- Directly affect the physiology or behaviour of another (normally detected by smelling)
When exposed to a chemical found in men’s sweat, what do women report?
Women reported
- Alertness, positive mood, increased sexual arousal and the timing of their menstrual cycle was altered.
- When participating in a speed dating experiment women rated men to be more attractive.
What is the link between sex hormones and depression?
- Greater female prevalence emerges after puberty
- Periods of hormonal transitions and elevated sex hormones are associated with increased mood-disturbances
- Oestrogen increase, depression prevalance increases
- Correlation between suicide attempts and periods of low estrogen across menstrual cycle
What is post-partum depression and how are sex hormones related?
Post-partum depression: Onset of depressive symptoms after the birth of a baby.
- Genetic vulnerability, change in hormone levels & high stress (lack of sleep etc.) may all contribute to development of post-partum depression.
- Lack of support is also a strong predictor of post-partum depression
What is the link between anxiety disorders and sex hormones
- Anxiety disorders are also 1.5 to 2x greater prevalence in women than men (Only after puberty)
- Low estradiol associated with impaired fear extinction recall
- Low estradiol also found in PTSD
What is the link between schizophrenia and sex hormones
Generally emerge during late adolescence and early adulthood for males and females
Low levels of Testosterone also linked to reduced mood, depression and impaired concentration, reduced confidence.
