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PubMed1983

Incomplete androgen insensitivity syndrome: partially masculinized genitalia in two patients with absence of androgen receptor in cultured fibroblasts.

In male pseudo-hermaphroditism due to end organ unresponsiveness, partial androgen insensitivity can usually be related to low but detectable dihydrotestosterone (DHT) binding activity in cultured sexual skin fibroblasts. We have studied two patients with partial virilization and total absence of androgen receptors in cultured fibroblasts. A lack of DHT binding could be related to a selection of a fibroblast strain with no androgen receptor activity, to insufficient sensitivity of the method in detecting very low receptor concentrations or to an instability of the receptor or the androgen-receptor complex. However, these observations raise the question of masculinization of external genitalia with undetectable androgen receptor.

3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase↗

PubMed1987

Incomplete masculinization due to a deficiency of 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase: comparison of prepubertal and peripubertal siblings.

Incomplete masculinization due to a deficiency of 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17 beta-HSD) was investigated in siblings aged 4 years (Case 1) and 12 years (Case 2). Diagnosis was based on increased ratios of androstenedione (A) to testosterone (T) in blood, and impaired reduction of A to T by 17 beta-HSD in vitro in the testes. Impairment was total in Case 2 but partial in Case 1. Case 2 also showed deficient conversion of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) to androstenediol and of oestrone to oestradiol by 17 beta-HSD which were normal in Case 1. Oxidation of T to A by 17 beta-HSD and conversion of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone to A by 17,20 desmolase were normal in the testes of both siblings. 3 beta-HSD conversion of DHA to A was normal in Case 1, but markedly increased in Case 2. In contrast to testicular findings, 17 beta-HSD reduction of A to T in genital skin fibroblasts from Case 2 was normal and diagnosis would not have been possible from studies of measurements of this enzyme in skin. The severity of the testicular 17 beta-HSD deficiency in the peripubertal compared with the prepubertal sibling suggests either considerable intra-familial variation in the extent of the enzyme defect or that puberty may aggravate this disorder. The normal reductive action of 17 beta-HSD in skin, despite impaired action in testes, suggests involvement of more than one iso-enzyme.

17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

PubMed1994

Increased Fos expression in oxytocin neurons following masculine sexual behavior.

Induction of the c-fos protein product (Fos) was used to immunocytochemically identify oxytocin (OT) neurons that may be activated during copulatory interactions. Fos induction was quantified in sexually-experienced male rats after either (a) exposure to a testing arena recently vacated by an estrous female, (b) copulatory interactions such as mounting and intromission without ejaculation, or (c) mounting and intromissions culminating in ejaculation. In the parvocellular regions of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN), the number of neurons expressing Fos increased following either intromission (53%) or ejaculation (124%). Significant, but less striking, increases in the number of cells expressing Fos were noted in magnocellular regions of the PVN where intromission resulted in a 13% increase and ejaculation in a 49% increase in Fos. The number of perikarya immunoreactive for OT and AVP did not differ as a function of increasing sexual contacts. In control (novel arena) males, 33-73% of the Fos labeling occurred in OT cells. Sexual interactions did not enhance the number of double-labeled cells in most parvocellular regions. However, in lateral parvocellular regions located in the most caudal aspects of the PVN, 31% of the Fos-positive cells occurred in OT neurons in ejaculated males, while in control males none of the OT cells were double-labeled. This PVN subdivision is known to consist of neurons that project to the brain stem and spinal cord at lumbar levels which contain motor neurons that regulate penile reflexes. The present data suggest a possible neurochemical circuit which incorporates oxytocinergic neurons in the mediation of masculine sexual responses.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Sex reversal syndrome (64,XY; SRY-positive) in a mare demonstrating masculine behaviour.

A 5-year-old Thoroughbred mare was subjected to cytogenetic and molecular analysis because of infertility and masculine behaviour. Chromosome studies, including painting with the whole X chromosome specific probe, revealed a male chromosome complement (64,XY). The PCR amplification of the SRY and ZFY genes showed the presence of both those genes, while the endocrinological study demonstrated a high level of testosterone (9.7 nmol/l). Sequencing of the SRY gene (1121 bp), comprising also 5'- and 3'-UTRs, did not reveal any differences when compared with the sequence of normal stallions. It was proposed that this mare represents the androgen insensitivity syndrome (testicular feminization syndrome).

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Social interactions and play patterns of parents and toddlers with feminine, masculine, and neutral toys.

Children as young as 18 months display sex-stereotyped toy choices. The present study was designed to determine whether parents encourage involvement with sex-stereotyped toys or avoidance of cross-sex-stereotyped toys and to determine whether masculine and feminine toys lead to different patterns of parent-child interaction, regardless of gender. 40 parent-toddler dyads were videotaped while playing with 6 different sets of sex-stereotyped toys. Equal numbers of boys and girls were observed with mothers and fathers. The children showed greater involvement when playing with same-sex-typed toys than with cross-sex toys even when statistically controlling for parents' behaviors. Parents' verbal behaviors, involvement, and proximity to the child differed across toy groups, regardless of the parent's or child's gender. Parents' initial nonverbal responses to the toys, however, were more positive when the toys were stereotyped for the child's and parent's gender than when they were not.

Female↗

PubMed2006

Sex, outcome expectancy, and cardiovascular response to a masculine challenge.

Male and female participants were led to believe they could secure a low or high chance of winning a prize by meeting a modest standard on a purportedly masculine task, that is, a task on which men ostensibly had higher ability. As expected, systolic blood pressure responses measured during performance were greater for women than men when the chance of winning was high, but low for both groups when the chance of winning was low. Similar effects were observed for diastolic and mean arterial pressure responses, although analysis of the mean arterial pressure data produced only a main effect for the chance factor. These results conceptually replicate cardiovascular findings obtained in a previous sex difference study. They also confirm the implication of previous ability perception studies that effort-related cardiovascular responses should be low for both sexes when the importance of meeting a gender-relevant challenge is low.

Adult↗

PubMed1981

The masculine gender role and its implications for the life expectancy of older men.

The lifespan of men is shorter than that of women. This study is an effort to identify some causal factors. Six dimensions of the masculine gender role examined in relation to certain stress-related disorders more prevalent among older men than among older women. These dimensions are "No Sissy Stuff"; "The Big Wheel"; "The Sturdy Oak"; "Give 'Em Hell"; homophobia; and sexual dysfunctioning. Specific problems of retirement are also discussed. Only in recent years have the roles of men been studied more closely. The results may offer positive implications for the lifespan of men.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Postnatal masculinization alters the HPA axis phenotype in the adult female rat.

The ability of postnatal testosterone propionate (TP) to masculinize both behaviour and gonadal cyclicity in the female rat is well documented. We have investigated whether postnatal androgen also has an organizational effect on another sexually dimorphic neuroendocrine system--the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Female rats were exposed to a single injection of testosterone propionate (TP) or oil within 24 h of birth. As adults, rats were either ovariectomized and given 17beta-oestradiol replacement (OVXE2) or sham ovariectomized with cholesterol implants (SHOVX). An automated sampling system collected blood from unanaesthetized adult female rats every 10 min over a 24-h period, during a mild psychological stress (noise) and following an immunological lipopolysaccharide stress (LPS). Neonatal TP-treated SHOVX rats had a significant reduction in the number, height, frequency and amplitude of corticosterone pulses over the basal 24-h period, compared to both the neonatal oil-treated and TP-treated OVXE2 animals. The corticosterone response to both noise and LPS was also significantly decreased for the TP-treated SHOVX females. Three hours post-LPS administration, TP females had significantly lower values of paraventricular nucleus (PVN) corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH), arginine vasopressin (AVP) and anterior pituitary proopiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNAs and greater PVN glucocorticoid receptor (GR) mRNA expression compared to the oil-treated controls. E2 replacement in adult TP rats normalized all the mRNA levels, except for PVN GR mRNA which did fall towards the levels of the oil-control animals. A single injection of TP within 24 h of birth disrupts the development of the characteristic female pattern of corticosterone secretion and the normal female HPA response to stress, resulting in a pattern similar to that seen in males. These effects can be reversed by E2 treatment in the adult TP female rat.

Animals↗

PubMed1980

The testicular feminized rat: a naturally occurring model of androgen independent brain masculinization.

Although genotypically male (XY), the testicular feminized rat develops as an anatomic female because of an inherited deficiency in intracellular androgen receptors that prevents androgen imprinting of sexual primordia. However, the ability of testicular feminized rats to exhibit male-like sexual behavior and little feminine sexual behavior suggests that the brain can be masculinized without androgens.

Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome↗

PubMed2001

Somatostatin is required for masculinization of growth hormone-regulated hepatic gene expression but not of somatic growth.

Pulsatile growth hormone (GH) secretion differs between males and females and regulates the sex-specific expression of cytochrome P450s in liver. Sex steroids influence the secretory dynamics of GH, but the neuroendocrine mechanisms have not been conclusively established. Because periventricular hypothalamic somatostatin (SST) expression is greater in males than in females, we generated knockout (Smst(-/-)) mice to investigate whether SST peptides are necessary for sexually differentiated GH secretion and action. Despite marked increases in nadir and median plasma GH levels in both sexes of Smst(-/-) compared with Smst(+/+) mice, the mutant mice had growth curves identical to their sibling controls and retained a normal sexual dimorphism in weight and length. In contrast, the liver of male Smst(-/-) mice was feminized, resulting in an identical profile of GH-regulated hepatic mRNAs between male and female mutants. Male Smst(-/-) mice show higher expression of two SST receptors in the hypothalamus and pituitary than do females. These data indicate that SST is required to masculinize the ultradian GH rhythm by suppressing interpulse GH levels. In the absence of SST, male and female mice exhibit similarly altered plasma GH profiles that eliminate sexually dimorphic liver function but do not affect dimorphic growth.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

The collision between caring theory and caring practice as a collision between feminine and masculine cognitive style.

In the Swedish education of nurses, teaching should be focused in a way that the students develop a holistic view of caring. Swedish health care and medical care should be carried out in a way that promotes a holistic view. It seems that the education of nurses has prerequisites to develop, and often does present, a holistic view to the students, but this view is not always carried over to practice. Student nurses think they have a theoretical understanding of a holistic view, but they cannot manage to transform their knowledge to practice. It is proposed that this failure to transfer knowledge of holistic care principles into practice is partly based on the fact that medical and technological thought dominate practice in the caring disciplines. This article explores some factors influencing caring theory and praxis and possible causes for the gap between these areas. The question of gender is proposed as a reason for the identified difference between theory and praxis. From a gender theoretical perspective, the difference can be understood as a collision between feminine and masculine cognitive styles. It is proposed that the caring ideals of holism are emphasized by the woman-dominated nursing schools, but these ideals are not able to influence practice of the caring professions, which are dominated by men.

Cognition↗

PubMed2007

Men, masculinities, and prostate cancer: Australian and Canadian patient perspectives of communication with male physicians.

Patient-physician communication is vital in cancer care, and aspects of the patients' experiences provide insight into what constitutes effective cancer communication. Complexities inherent in prostate cancer regarding screening, treatment(s) efficacy, and side effects commonly form the basis of patient-physician discussions. However, the specificities of patient-physician communications, particularly in the male dyad, and the connections to masculinity are poorly understood. The authors used secondary analysis of data from two interview studies of 19 Canadian and 33 Australian prostate cancer survivors who were treated by male general practitioners and prostate cancer specialists. Participants acknowledged that physician expertise and compassion underpinned the development of trust, and both reassurance and humor were effective communication strategies. Participants were often self-directed in researching prostate cancer, consistently using biomedical language and numerical markers when discussing their disease. Analysis of findings enabled interpretations regarding what might be considered prostate cancer communication competencies in the male patient-physician dyad.

Attitude to Health↗

PubMed1999

Prostate cancer's hegemonic masculinity in select print mass media depictions (1974-1995).

The meanings associated with prostate cancer were studied in contemporary mass print media. The study includes both manifest and latent content analysis of a period of approximately 2 decades, from 1974 to 1995. The manifest analysis revealed a primary emphasis on the importance of early detection. The latent analysis found that prostate cancer's presentation is gendered. Its description is embedded in themes related to masculinity, sexuality, competition, brotherhood, and machismo. This small, qualitative, and inductive study raises questions about the socially significant portrayal of the meanings of disease in the media, about the men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, have symptoms of prostate cancer, or about all men, because any man might at some time be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Stereotypical imaging could alienate men who either do not or do not want to fit into the stereotypical ideal as it is protrayed in the media. Such a portrayal also may have inplications for the potential willingness of men to engage in early detection, avail themselves of treatment, act preventatively, or become involved in lobbying for monies for research into the early prevention, detection, and treatment of prostate cancer.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1985

Evaluation of the BSRI masculine and feminine items using desirability and stereotype ratings.

This study empirically tested Bem's (1974) assumption that the BSRI Masculinity and Femininity scales measure sex-typed standards of desirable behavior for men and women in American society. The adequacy of items in the two scales was evaluated by Bem's (1974) criteria using two types of desirability and stereotype ratings. Results obtained in all the experimental conditions except one involving Bem's desirability instructions and Bem's rating scale did not support the tested assumption. Implications of these results for revising the BSRI scales were discussed.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1991

The Masculinity-Femininity Scale of MMPI-2: is it useful with normal men?

Using ratings provided by significant others, we examined characteristics of 819 normal men whose scores on the Masculinity-Femininity scale (Scale 5) of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) ranged from low to high. Also examined were the possible effects of educational level as a moderator variable. Only one external characteristic was correlated with Scale 5 scores at a level of significance that could not be attributed to chance, and that correlation was negative, whereas previous literature indicated a positive relationship. The findings were essentially the same whether or not the effects of education were controlled. Regardless of Scale 5 scores and the higher the men's educational levels, the more positive were ratings by their partners. In general, the results do not support the usefulness of Scale 5 in describing the personalities and behaviors of normal men.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Evidence for a role of testosterone-androgen receptor interactions in mediating masculine sexual behavior in male rats.

The purpose of this study was 2-fold: 1) to use gonadal steroid hormone exposures in the physiological range to assess the relative roles of testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the expression of male sexual behavior, and 2) to determine whether androgen receptor (AR) or estrogen receptor (E2R) occupation is increased after exposure to these various gonadal steroid hormones. Sexually experienced, castrated male rats implanted sc with Silastic capsules containing T, 10% E2, DHT, 10% E2 plus DHT, or blanks provided hormone levels in the physiological range. Copulatory behavior was measured on days 2-4, 5-7, 10-12, and 14-16 of steroid treatment. Although T, E2, and E2 plus DHT treatments all activated mounting, only T was effective in restoring ejaculation in 100% of the males. DHT alone had no effect on any aspect of male sexual behavior. Brains of males given these various hormone treatments were assayed for both cell nuclear AR and cell nuclear E2R binding in the hypothalamus, preoptic area, amygdala, and septum. Results indicate that when hormone levels in the physiological range were employed, T and DHT bind primarily to AR, whereas E2 binds to E2R. In a second experiment, 0.5% E2 plus DHT was found to yield AR and E2R levels comparable to those in rats receiving T capsules. Male rats bearing these capsules showed virtually no sexual behavior, demonstrating that elevation of AR and E2R levels comparable to those generated by T is not sufficient to induce male sexual behavior. We then measured intact AR and E2R levels and determined that in intact males E2R levels were higher than in T-treated males. These E2R levels could be replicated using 1.0% E2. Males exposed to 1.0% E2 plus DHT failed to display male sexual behavior. These data suggest that 1) relatively high and prolonged levels of E2R occupation are required for estrogen activation of male sexual behavior, 2) high levels of AR occupation induced by DHT are not sufficient to activate male sexual behavior, and 3) in intact male rats T, acting via androgen receptors, plays a primary role in mediating the expression of masculine sexual behavior.

Animals↗

PubMed1975

Partial masculinization of rat liver enzyme activities following treatment with FSH.

The metabolism of 4-(4014C)androstene-3,17-dione and 5alpha-(4-14C)androstene-3alpha, 17beta-diol was studies in the microsomal fraction and that of 4-(4-14C) androstene-3,17-dione in the 105,000 times g supernatant fraction of livers from castrated male and female rats treated with LH and FSH. Administration of LH led to significant decreases in 17-hydroxysteroid reduction and 7alpha-hydroxylation of 4-androstene-3,17-dione in both male and female rats and in 6beta-hydroxylation of 4-androstene-3,17-dione in female rats. FSH on the other hand specifically stimulated (masculinized) the following sex-dependent hydroxylations: 16alpha-hydroxylation of 4-androstene-3,17-dione in female rats and 2alpha-, and 2beta- and 18-hydroxylation of 5alpha-androstane-3alpha,17beta-diol in male rats. The metabolism of 4-androstene-3,17-dione and 5alpha-androstane-3alpha,17beta-diol was also studied in castrated male and female rats given testosterone propionate and in castrated female rats given testosterone propionate in combination with LH or FSH. It was shown that neither LH nor FSH could compensate for the relative androgen-unresponsiveness exhibited by female as compared to male rats. It is concluded that FSH but not LH may participate in the regulation of sex-dependent hydroxylase systems in rat liver.?2,Author

17-Hydroxycorticosteroids↗

PubMed1975

Testicular maintenance and masculinized development of the vagina of the androgen-insensitive male rat pseudohermaphrodite.

The vaginae of about one-third of androgen-insensitive male rat pseudohermaphrodites never open nor can they be opened by the administration of estrogen, progesterone or andorgens. The vaginae of the remaining pseudohermaphrodites open significantly later than normal females, and, once open, require the presence of the testes or exogenous estrogen to maintain their patency. These defects in the vaginal development of the pseudohermaphrodite may be due to some perinatal masculinization of the perineum, unlike most of the phenotypically female development exhibited by this animal.

Aging↗