Sex determination and the maternal dominance hypothesis |
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Authors: | Grant Valerie J |
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Institution: | Department Psychiatry and Behavioural Science, School of Medicine, University of Auckland New Zealand |
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Abstract: | The maternal dominance hypothesis has been derived from workwith humans which shows that women who are more dominant thanother women are more likely to conceive sons. In both animalsand humans dominance is a characteristic or personality trait,underpinned by testosterone and responsive to a range of environmentalchanges: physical, social and psychological. Studies of thesex ratio in the social sciences and animal behaviour eithersupport or are compatible with the idea that the sex-determiningrole of X- and Y-chromosome bearing spermatozoa may be precededby factors under maternal control which provide for differentialaccess of spermatozoa. Findings in reproductive physiology andphysiological psychology suggest that folh'cular testosteroneor a related hormone may play a critical role. Reproductivephysiologists have already identified maternal mechanisms whichcould provide the context for such a model. |
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Keywords: | maternal dominance/sex determination/sex ratio |
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