How can genetic phenomena and embryonic endocrine exert influence on the determination of sexual orientation?
Date: 25 OCTOBER 2022 from 17:30 to 19:00
Event location: In presence and online event
Type: Lectures
One of the more controversial questions concerning neurobiology of behavior relates to the origins of sexual orientation and the influence exerted by biology and the social environment. This lecture will focus on biological mechanisms involved in the determination of sexual orientation in animals and also presumably in humans. Scientific evidence suggests that sexual orientation, both homosexual and heterosexual, is under the control of embryonic endocrine and genetic phenomena in which there is little room for individual choice. Prof. Roselli will discuss his ongoing studies of sheep, a unique mammalian model in which roughly 8% of rams exhibit a naturally-occurring exclusive sexual preference for other rams. He will present evidence that sheep have a sexually dimorphic nucleus (SDN) in the brain that is larger in female-oriented rams (gynophilic) than in male-oriented rams and ewes (androphilic). He will demonstrate that the small size of the SDN in male-oriented rams reflects lower exposure to androgens during gestation and could be responsible for their attraction to other rams. He will also present new evidence that neuropeptide signaling mechanisms in the hypothalamus are key for regulating the degree of androgen exposure in the male fetus. Finally, Prof. Roselli will discuss the significance of these studies for understanding possible biological underpinnings of human sexuality.
If you prefer to attend this lecture in presence, you should write to segreteria.isa@unibo.it within October 25th, 12 p.m. and book your place. The places will be assigned on “first come first served” basis.
PhD students and researchers who are interested may request an attendance certificate.