| Evaluating the twin testosterone transfer hypothesis: A review of the empirical evidence. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 21893061 Owner: NLM Status: Publisher |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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In this paper we review the evidence that fetuses gestated with a male co-twin are masculinized in development, perhaps due to the influence of prenatal androgens: the so-called twin testosterone transfer (TTT) hypothesis. Evidence from studies of behavioral, perceptual, cognitive, morphological and physiological traits in same- and opposite-sex human twins is considered. Apart from two studies reporting increases in aspects of sensation-seeking for females with a male rather than a female co-twin, there is sparse evidence supporting the TTT hypothesis in behavioral studies. Outcomes from studies of perception (in particular otoacoustic emissions) and cognition (in particular vocabulary acquisition and visuo-spatial ability) provide more consistent evidence in support of masculinized performance in twins with a male co-twin compared to twins with a female co-twin. The outcomes favorable to the TTT hypothesis for otoacoustic emissions and visuo-spatial ability are restricted to females. Studies of physiology and morphology (e.g., brain volume, tooth size and 2D:4D ratio) also show some influence of co-twin sex, but again these effects are often restricted to female twins. Because females produce little endogenous testosterone, the effects of gestation with a male co-twin may be more pronounced in females than males. Thus, while uneven, the evidence for the TTT hypothesis is sufficient to warrant further investigation, ideally using large samples of same- and opposite-sex twins, along with control groups of same- and opposite-sex siblings when the characteristics assessed are potentially open to social influences. |
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Authors:
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Aimee Tapp; Murray T Maybery; Andrew J O Whitehouse |
Publication Detail:
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Type: JOURNAL ARTICLE Date: 2011-8-26 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Hormones and behavior Volume: - ISSN: 1095-6867 ISO Abbreviation: - Publication Date: 2011 Aug |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2011-9-6 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0217764 Medline TA: Horm Behav Country: - |
Other Details:
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Languages: ENG Pagination: - Citation Subset: - |
Copyright Information:
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Crown Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. |
Affiliation:
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Neurocognitive Development Unit, School of Psychology, University of Western Australia, Australia. |
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From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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