Sexual Orientation and the Auditory System

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Dennis McFadden^{, a,}

^a Department of Psychology and Center for Perceptual Systems 1 University Station A8000 University of Texas Austin, Texas, USA 78712-0187

Available online 8 February 2011.

Abstract

The auditory system exhibits differences by sex and by sexual orientation, and the implication is that relevant auditory structures are altered during prenatal development, possibly by exposure to androgens.

The otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) of newborn male infants are weaker than those of newborn females, and these sex differences persist through the lifespan.

The OAEs of nonheterosexual females also are weaker than those of heterosexual females, suggesting an atypically strong exposure to androgens some time early in development.

Auditory evoked potentials (AEPs) also exhibit sex differences beginning early in life.

Some AEPs are different for heterosexual and nonheterosexual females, and other AEPs are different for heterosexual and nonheterosexual males.

Research on non-humans treated with androgenic or anti-androgenic agents also suggests that OAEs are masculinized by prenatal exposure to androgens late in gestation.

Collectively, the evidence suggests that prenatal androgens, acting globally or locally, affect both nonheterosexuality and the auditory system.

Research highlights

►otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) and auditory evoked potentials (AEPs) are described ► both OAEs and AEPs exhibit differences depending upon sex and sexual orientation ► prenatal androgens appear to weaken the cochlear amplifiers ► prenatal hormone levels apparently can contribute to determining sexual orientation ► there may be localized and nonmonotonic effects of prenatal androgen exposure

Keywords: Sexual orientation; Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs); Auditory evoked potentials (AEPs); Prenatal androgen exposure; Prenatal development; Localized effects of hormones; Nonmonotonic effects of hormones; Homosexuality; Heterosexuality

Abbreviations: ABR, auditory brainstem response; AEP, auditory evoked potential; AIS, androgen insensitivity syndrome; ASD, autism spectrum disorder; CAH, congenital adrenal hyperplasia; CEOAE, click-evoked otoacoustic emission; dB SPL, decibels sound-pressure level; DPOAE, distortion-product otoacoustic emissions; FLR, finger-length ratio; IHCs, inner hair cells; IQ, intelligence quotient; LLR, long-latency response; MLR, middle-latency response; OAE, otoacoustic emission; OHCs, outer hair cells; OSDZ, opposite-sex dizygotic twin; rms, root-mean-square; SOAE, spontaneous otoacoustic emission
Fuente :

Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology

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