scholarly journals Genetic Influences on Female Infidelity and Number of Sexual Partners in Humans: A Linkage and Association Study of the Role of the Vasopressin Receptor Gene (AVPR1A)

Twin Research ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 649-658 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynn F. Cherkas ◽  
Elizabeth C. Oelsner ◽  
Y. T. Mak ◽  
Anna Valdes ◽  
Tim D. Spector
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
Receptor Gene ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Genetic Influences ◽  
Vasopressin Receptor ◽  
Sexual Infidelity ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Lifetime Number ◽  
Number Of Sexual Partners

AbstractIn humans, in contrast to animals, the genetic influences on infidelity are unclear. We report here a large study of over 1600 unselected United Kingdom female twin pairs who confidentially reported previous episodes of infidelity and total lifetime number of sexual partners, as well as attitudes towards infidelity. Our findings demonstrate that infidelity and number of sexual partners are both under moderate genetic influence (41% and 38% heritable, respectively) and the genetic correlation between these two traits is strong (47%). Conversely, attitudes towards infidelity are driven by shared and unique environmental, but not genetic, influences. A genome-wide linkage scan identified three suggestive but nonsignificant linkage areas associated with infidelity and number of sexual partners on chromosomes 3, 7 and 20 with a maximum LOD score of 2.46. We were unsuccessful in associating infidelity or number of sexual partners with a locus implicated in other mammals' sexual behavior, the vasopressin receptor gene. Nonetheless, our findings on the heritabil-ity of sexual infidelity and number of sexual partners provide support for certain evolutionary theories of human sexual behavior, as well as justifying further genetic and molecular research in this domain.

scholarly journals Large-scale GWAS reveals insights into the genetic architecture of same-sex sexual behavior

Science ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 365 (6456) ◽  
pp. eaat7693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Ganna ◽  
Karin J. H. Verweij ◽  
Michel G. Nivard ◽  
Robert Maier ◽  
Robbee Wedow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
Genetic Architecture ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Genome Wide Association Study ◽  
Same Sex ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Number Of Sexual Partners ◽  
Opposite Sex ◽  
Males And Females

Twin and family studies have shown that same-sex sexual behavior is partly genetically influenced, but previous searches for specific genes involved have been underpowered. We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on 477,522 individuals, revealing five loci significantly associated with same-sex sexual behavior. In aggregate, all tested genetic variants accounted for 8 to 25% of variation in same-sex sexual behavior, only partially overlapped between males and females, and do not allow meaningful prediction of an individual’s sexual behavior. Comparing these GWAS results with those for the proportion of same-sex to total number of sexual partners among nonheterosexuals suggests that there is no single continuum from opposite-sex to same-sex sexual behavior. Overall, our findings provide insights into the genetics underlying same-sex sexual behavior and underscore the complexity of sexuality.

Sexual Behavior and Telling the Truth on Questionnaires

1995 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 218-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. L. Brink
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Community College ◽  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
Community College Students ◽  
Sexual Activity ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Anonymous Questionnaire ◽  
Lifetime Number ◽  
Number Of Sexual Partners

69 community college students reported that they would be least likely to tell the truth on an anonymous questionnaire about topics such as frequency of sexual activity and lifetime number of sexual partners.

Genetic Influence on Reproductive Behavior in Female Rhesus Macaques

2005 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 551-552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Trefilov ◽  
Peter J. P. Croucher ◽  
Michael Krawczak ◽  
Jörg Schmidtke
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Behavior ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Receptor Gene ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Genetic Influences ◽  
Female Rhesus ◽  
Number Of Sexual Partners ◽  
Female Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Female Infidelity

AbstractCommentary on Cherkas et al. (2004). Genetic Influences on Female Infidelity and Number of Sexual Partners in Humans: A Linkage and Association Study on the Role of the Vasopressin Receptor Gene (AVPR1A). Twin Research, 7, 649–658.

scholarly journals Genome-Wide Analysis of Glucocorticoid-Responsive Transcripts in the Hypothalamic Paraventricular Region of Male Rats

Endocrinology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 160 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keiichi Itoi ◽  
Ikuko Motoike ◽  
Ying Liu ◽  
Sam Clokie ◽  
Yasumasa Iwasaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Receptor Gene ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Regulatory Mechanisms ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Sequencing Analysis ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
A Genome

Abstract Glucocorticoids (GCs) are essential for stress adaptation, acting centrally and in the periphery. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), a major regulator of adrenal GC synthesis, is produced in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH), which contains multiple neuroendocrine and preautonomic neurons. GCs may be involved in diverse regulatory mechanisms in the PVH, but the target genes of GCs are largely unexplored except for the CRF gene (Crh), a well-known target for GC negative feedback. Using a genome-wide RNA-sequencing analysis, we identified transcripts that changed in response to either high-dose corticosterone (Cort) exposure for 12 days (12-day high Cort), corticoid deprivation for 7 days (7-day ADX), or acute Cort administration. Among others, canonical GC target genes were upregulated prominently by 12-day high Cort. Crh was upregulated or downregulated most prominently by either 7-day ADX or 12-day high Cort, emphasizing the recognized feedback effects of GC on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Concomitant changes in vasopressin and apelin receptor gene expression are likely to contribute to HPA repression. In keeping with the pleotropic cellular actions of GCs, 7-day ADX downregulated numerous genes of a broad functional spectrum. The transcriptome response signature differed markedly between acute Cort injection and 12-day high Cort. Remarkably, six immediate early genes were upregulated 1 hour after Cort injection, which was confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription PCR and semiquantitative in situ hybridization. This study may provide a useful database for studying the regulatory mechanisms of GC-dependent gene expression and repression in the PVH.

scholarly journals The relationship between chronic diseases and number of sexual partners: an exploratory analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor Grabovac ◽  
Lee Smith ◽  
Lin Yang ◽  
Pinar Soysal ◽  
Nicola Veronese ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Longitudinal Research ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Lifetime Number ◽  
Number Of Sexual Partners ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Diagnosis Of Cancer ◽  
The Relationship

BackgroundWe investigated sex-specific associations between lifetime number of sexual partners and several health outcomes in a large sample of older adults in England.MethodsWe used cross-sectional data from 2537 men and 3185 women aged ≥50 years participating in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Participants reported the number of sexual partners they had had in their lifetime. Outcomes were self-rated health and self-reported limiting long-standing illness, cancer, coronary heart disease, and stroke. We used logistic regression to analyse associations between lifetime number of sexual partners and health outcomes, adjusted for relevant sociodemographic and health-related covariates.ResultsHaving had 10 or more lifetime sexual partners was associated with higher odds of reporting a diagnosis of cancer than having had 0–1 sexual partners in men (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.83) and women (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.04 to 3.51), respectively. Women who had 10 or more lifetime sexual partners also had higher odds of reporting a limiting long-standing illness (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.35). No other statistically significant associations were observed.ConclusionsA higher lifetime number of sexual partners is associated with increased odds of reported cancer. Longitudinal research is required to establish causality. Understanding the predictive value of lifetime number of sexual partners as a behavioural risk factor may improve clinical assessment of cancer risk in older adults.

scholarly journals Investigation of a Genome Wide Association Signal for Obesity: Synthetic Association and Haplotype Analyses at the Melanocortin 4 Receptor Gene Locus

PLoS ONE ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 5 (11) ◽  
pp. e13967 ◽  
Author(s):  
André Scherag ◽  
Ivonne Jarick ◽  
Jessica Grothe ◽  
Heike Biebermann ◽  
Susann Scherag ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Locus ◽  
Receptor Gene ◽  
Genome Wide Association ◽  
Melanocortin 4 Receptor ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Melanocortin 4 Receptor Gene

scholarly journals How Do Californians Define Safe Sex?

2006 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel M. Moskowitz ◽  
Assunta Ritieni ◽  
Maya Tholandi ◽  
Qiang Xia
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
Condom Use ◽  
Telephone Survey ◽  
Safe Sex ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Sociodemographic Characteristics ◽  
The Past ◽  
Number Of Sexual Partners ◽  
Race Ethnicity ◽  
Policies And Programs

Objectives: We examined definitions of “safe sex” among adults in California, and assessed whether definitions varied by sociodemographic characteristics and sexual behavior. Methods: We analyzed crosssectional data from the “AIDS Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs, and Behaviors (KABB) Survey,” a statewide telephone survey of California adults conducted in 2000. Results: The four most common definitions of safe sex were condom use (68.0%), abstinence (31.1%), monogamy (28.4%), and safe partner (18.7%). Definitions were associated with sex, age, race/ethnicity, education, and number of sexual partners in the past 12 months. Conclusions: Most adults defined safe sex in terms of condom use either alone or in conjunction with other methods. Individuals’ definitions were complex and varied across sociodemographic groups which suggest the need for policies and programs which reflect this diversity.

scholarly journals The relationships between women’s reproductive factors: a Mendelian randomization analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Prince ◽  
Gemma C Sharp ◽  
Laura D Howe ◽  
Abigail Fraser ◽  
Rebecca C Richmond
Keyword(s):  
Mendelian Randomization ◽  
Reproductive Factors ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Age At Menarche ◽  
Age At First Birth ◽  
First Birth ◽  
Age At Menopause ◽  
Lifetime Number ◽  
Number Of Sexual Partners ◽  
Number Of Births

AbstractBackgroundWomen’s reproductive factors include their age at menarche and menopause, the age at which they start and stop having children, and the number of children they have. Studies that have linked these factors with disease risk have largely investigated individual reproductive factors and have not considered the genetic correlation and total interplay that may occur between them. This study aimed to investigate the nature of the relationships between eight female reproductive factors.MethodsWe used data from the UK Biobank and genetic consortia with data available for the following reproductive factors: age at menarche, age at menopause, age at first birth, age at last birth, number of births, being parous, age at first sex and lifetime number of sexual partners. Linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC) was performed to investigate the genetic correlation between reproductive factors. We then applied Mendelian randomization (MR) methods to estimate the causal relationships between these factors. Sensitivity analyses were used to investigate directionality of the effects, test for evidence of pleiotropy and account for sample overlap.ResultsLDSC indicated that most reproductive factors are genetically correlated (rg range: |0.06 – 0.94|), though there was little evidence for genetic correlations between lifetime number of sexual partners and age at last birth, number of births and ever being parous (rg < 0.01). MR revealed potential causal relationships between many reproductive factors, including later age at menarche (1 SD increase) leading to a later age at first sexual intercourse (Beta (B)=0.09 SD, 95% confidence intervals (CI)=0.06,0.11), age at first birth (B=0.07 SD, CI=0.04,0.10), age at last birth (B=0.06 SD, CI=0.04,0.09) and age at menopause (B=0.06 SD, CI=0.03,0.10). Later age at first birth was found to lead to a later age at menopause (B=0.21 SD, CI=0.13,0.29), age at last birth (B=0.72 SD, CI=0.67,0.77) and a lower number of births (B=-0.38 SD, CI=-0.44,-0.32).ConclusionThis study presents evidence that women’s reproductive factors are genetically correlated and causally related. Future studies examining the health sequelae of reproductive factors should consider a woman’s entire reproductive history, including the causal interplay between reproductive factors.

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