| Title & Author | Abstract | |
|---|---|---|
| 6(05) | A ROLE FOR OVARIAN HORMONES IN SEXUAL
DIFFERENTIATION OF THE BRAIN Roslyn Holly Fitch Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Rutgers University 197 University Ave. Newark, NJ 07102 Victor H. Denenberg Biobehavioral Sciences Graduate Degree Program University of Connecticut Storrs, CT 06269-4154 holly@axon.rutgers.edu dberg@uconnvm.uconn.edu |
Abstract:
The role of endogenous hormones in differentiating the
sexes is an area of continuing research. The bulk of findings in
this field support the notion that mammalian sexual differentiation
is primarily mediated by androgens of testicular origin and that
the presence of these androgens in early life produces a "male"
brain. In contrast, the female brain is thought to develop via a
hormonal default mechanism, in the absence of androgen. Findings
are reviewed which show that ovarian hormones also play a
significant role in sexual differentiation, and that the process of
ovarian feminization has a considerably later sensitive period than
androgen-mediated masculinization.
Keywords: corpus callosum, development, estrogen, feminization, ovaries, sensitive period. |
| 6(18) | INCORPORATING ESTROGEN'S MASCULINIZING ROLE
Commentary on Fitch & Denenberg on Sex-Brain Julia Rucklidge Programme in Clinical Psychology Room 292, Education Block 2500 University Drive N.W. University of Calgary Calgary, Alberta, T2N-1N4 jrucklid@acs.ucalgary.ca |
Abstract:
The role of estrogen in differentiating the sexes may not
be as clearly defined as Fitch & Denenberg would have us believe.
Although their presentation of the feminizing role for estrogen was
intriguing, I question whether it can be so easily categorized and
wonder where the research on estrogen's masculinizing role fits
into their model.
Keywords: corpus callosum, development, estrogen, feminization, ovaries, sensitive period. |
| 6(22) | ARE OVARIAN SECRETIONS ALL THAT FEMALES "NEED"?
Commentary on Fitch & Denenberg on Sex-Brain Margaret L. Forgie Department of Psychology The University of Lethbridge 4401 University Drive Lethbridge, AB, T1K 3M4, CANADA FORGIE@hg.uleth.ca |
Abstract:
Fitch & Denenberg (1995) have done an admirable job of
marshalling evidence in support of the hypothesis that the full
development of female-typical behavior requires exposure to ovarian
steroids in the postnatal period. Although I am in agreement with
this position, I feel that the authors have oversimplified the rich
variation in the processes that might account for the production of
sexually-dimorphic behaviors in the adult mammal.
Keywords: corpus callosum, development, estrogen, feminization, ovaries, sensitive period. |
| 6(24) | ESTROGEN AND SEXUAL DIFFERENTIATION: IT'S IN THE TIMING
Reply to Rucklidge on Fitch & Denenberg on Sex-Brain Roslyn Holly Fitch Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Rutgers University 197 University Ave. Newark, NJ 07102 Victor H. Denenberg Biobehavioral Sciences Graduate Degree Program University of Connecticut Storrs, CT 06269-4154 holly@axon.rutgers.edu dberg@uconnvm.uconn.edu |
Abstract:
In asserting that a masculinizing role of estrogen
(derived via intracellular aromatization) is paradoxically
incompatible with a feminizing role of estrogen, Rucklidge (1995)
has overlooked the critical temporal distinction between the
sensitive windows for these effects. The fact that the neural
substrate (including but not limited to estrogen receptor
populations) is profoundly different in Keywords: corpus callosum, development, estrogen, feminization, ovaries, sensitive period. |
| 6(25) | STUDYING THE COMPLEXITY OF SEXUAL DIFFERENTIATION
Reply to Forgie on Fitch & Denenberg on Sex-Brain Roslyn Holly Fitch Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Rutgers University 197 University Ave. Newark, NJ 07102 Victor H. Denenberg Biobehavioral Sciences Graduate Degree Program University of Connecticut Storrs, CT 06269-4154 holly@axon.rutgers.edu dberg@uconnvm.uconn.edu |
Abstract:
Forgie (1995) notes the complexity of the feminization
process, and suggests that Fitch and Denenberg (1995) take a narrow
view in presenting data concerning the role of ovarian hormones in
development of the female brain. While recognizing the importance
of a comprehensive view towards sexual differentiation, we note
that: (1) a researcher may focus on a delineated dataset without
asserting, by default, that other factors are unimportant; (2) our
target article encompasses references which specifically expand the
definition of feminization (e.g., to include cyclic ovarian effects
on neurochemistry and neurophysiology) and; (3) our findings are
not inconsistent with data she presents.
Keywords: corpus callosum, development, estrogen, feminization, ovaries, sensitive period. |
| 6(31) | CEREBRAL HEMISPHERES, SEX AND PIAGET STAGES
Commentary on Fitch & Denenberg on Sex-Brain Uri Fidelman Department of General Studies Technion, Israel Institute of Technology Haifa 32000, ISRAEL ttrurif@technion.technion.ac.il |
Abstract:
Preliminary experimental findings suggest that a
change of Piaget stage may be related to different developmental
processes in boys and girls. At a somewhat later stage, the
collaboration between the hemispheres increases.
Keywords: corpus callosum, development, estrogen, feminization, ovaries, sensitive period. |
| 6(32) | HOW ABOUT SEXUALLY DIFFERENTIATING FACTORS
OTHER THAN ESTROGEN? Commentary on Fitch & Denenberg on Sex-Brain Margaret M. McCarthy Department of Physiology University of Maryland School of Medicine 655 W. Baltimore St. Baltimore, MD 21201 mmccarth@umabnet.ab.umd.edu |
Abstract:
Whereas the evidence of estrogen-mediated sexual
differentiation is irrefutable, the strength of this evidence may
have inadvertantly prejudiced researchers against looking to other
factors in the differentiation process. Consideration of the role
of progesterone, as well as additional non-steroidal ovarian
secretions, may provide additional insights into mechanisms of
sexual differentiation. Further consideration of non-ovarian
factors, such as the potential role of genes involved in peripheral
sexual differentiation and the influence of changes in afferent
input, would be equally valuable in elucidating the mechanisms of
sexual differentiation.
Keywords: corpus callosum, development, estrogen, feminization, ovaries, sensitive period. |
| 6(42) | ESTROGEN IS STILL IMPORTANT
Reply to McCarthy on Sex-Brain Roslyn Holly Fitch Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Rutgers University 197 University Ave. Newark, NJ 07102 Victor H. Denenberg Biobehavioral Sciences Graduate Degree Program University of Connecticut Storrs, CT 06269-4154 holly@axon.rutgers.edu dberg@uconnvm.uconn.edu |
Abstract:
McCarthy (1995) provides an excellent review of
less known, but potential feminizing agents, and asserts that this
area of research should not focus on estrogen to the exclusion of
other factors. We agree, but also reiterate that data show specific
and significant feminizing effects of estrogen. Such findings argue
that although estrogen may not be the sole feminizing influence, it
is nevertheless a critical one.
Keywords: corpus callosum, development, estrogen, feminization, ovaries, sensitive period. |
| 6(43) | FROM BEHAVIOR TO HORMONES TO AXONS, A BIG LEAP
Reply to Fidelman on Sex-Brain Roslyn Holly Fitch Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Rutgers University 197 University Ave. Newark, NJ 07102 Victor H. Denenberg Biobehavioral Sciences Graduate Degree Program University of Connecticut Storrs, CT 06269-4154 holly@axon.rutgers.edu dberg@uconnvm.uconn.edu |
Abstract:
Fidelman (1995) proposes that developmental gender
differences in performance on specific behavioral tasks may reflect
developmental hormone effects on callosal connectivity patterns. We
question whether the data presented support this leap.
Keywords: corpus callosum, development, estrogen, feminization, ovaries, sensitive period. |