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PubMed2000

Twenty-year follow-up of antenatal corticosteroid treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To study late side effects of antenatal corticosteroid treatment on health and sexual development in subjects 20 to 22 years old. METHODS: A follow-up study among young adults whose mothers had, because of a threatening delivery, participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo- controlled trial of betamethasone to prevent neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. Measurements were taken on general health, growth, development in puberty, reproductivity, genital or gynecological complaints, gender development, sexual orientation, sex-specific cognitive functioning, and psychoneuroticism. In addition, some measurements were performed on family diseases, socioeconomic status, and education. RESULTS: No differences were found between the corticosteroid-treated and placebo groups as to medical or psychological variables. In general, the subjects were healthy and had normal intellectual capacities. Groups did not differ on gender development, sexual orientation, sex-specific cognitive functioning, and psychoneuroticism. Systolic blood pressure was significantly lower in the corticosteroid group, but the groups did not differ as to diastolic blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Our 20-year follow-up study indicates that 1 course of antenatally administered corticosteroid to prevent respiratory distress syndrome does not have adverse effects up to adulthood.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Development and sexual dimorphism of the pituitary gland.

The pituitary gland plays a central role in sexual development and brain function. Therefore, we examined the effect of age and gender on pituitary volume in a large sample of healthy children and adults. Volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was conducted in one hundred and fifty four (77 males and 77 females) healthy participants. Males were between the ages of 7 to 35 years (16.91+/-5.89 years) and females were 7 to 35 years of age (16.75+/-5.75 years). Subjects were divided into subgroups of age (7 to 9, 10 to 13, 14 to 17, 18 to 21, 22 and older) and sex (male/female). Pituitary gland volume differed between sexes when comparing the age groups (F=3.55, df=2, 143, p=0.03). Females demonstrated larger pituitary glands than males in the age 14 to 17 year old groups (p=0.04). Young (19 years and under) and old (20 years and older) females demonstrated a correlation between pituitary volume and age. Males did not show this relationship. These findings provide additional evidence for gender differences in the normative anatomy of the pituitary and may have relevance for the study of various childhood onset neuropsychiatric disorders in which pituitary dysfunction has been implicated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Correlation between dental maturity, height development and sexual maturation in normal girls.

The correlation between the dental maturity and the different measures of sexual development, i.e. the age at menarche, the ages at breast and pubic hair development, and the age of peak height velocity, was found to be low in healthy girls. Multiple regression analyses between the predictors height and growth rate at the chronological age of a certain stage of the dental development and each of the predictands age at menarche, breast development, and age of peak height velocity improved the residual standard deviation significantly in comparison with the standard deviation of the distribution of these variables.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Sexual identity development among ethnic sexual-minority male youths.

The current research explores how ethnicity influences sexual identity development. Among 139 sexual-minority male youths, measures of sexual identity development assessed the timing and sequencing of developmental milestones, disclosure of sexual identity to others, internalized homophobia, and same- and opposite-sex relationship histories. Findings demonstrated that participants, regardless of ethnicity, experienced most identity milestones at developmentally appropriate ages, had moderately low levels of internalized homophobia, and became romantically and sexually involved with other males during adolescence. Differences across ethnic groups were found in the timing and sequencing of certain milestones, disclosure of sexual identity to family members, and romantic and sexual involvement with females.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2005

Can testosterone and corticosterone predict the rate of display of male sexual behaviour, development of secondary sexual characters and fertility potential in primary broiler breeders?

1. Genetic selection for growth to enhance production may be associated with stress and with modified physiological and behavioural phenotypes which depress male primary broiler breeder fertility. 2. We hypothesised that male serum testosterone (T) and corticosterone (C) concentrations might correlate with fertility, sexual behaviour, and testicular, comb and wattle size. 3. Cockerels from two genetic strains (A and B) of primary broiler breeder were penned individually with an average of 10 females across 5 age periods (30 to 51 weeks) to evaluate male fertility, behaviour, serum T and C, and comb, wattle and testicular dimensions. 4. Strain A males had higher T at age periods 2, 4 and 5 than Strain B. Both strains had basal concentrations of C, apart from an elevated concentration for Strain B in period 5. 5. Strain B had a weak but significant, positive correlation between sexual behaviour and T and C, while Strain A males with higher C had larger combs and wattles. 6. Neither T nor C correlated with fertility. We conclude that evaluation of these endocrine factors (quantifiable measurements with the potential to correlate with fertility) alone seems insufficient to predict male fertility potential in these strains of primary broiler breeder.

Aging↗
PubMed2003

Context-dependent sexual advertisement: plasticity in development of sexual ornamentation throughout the lifetime of a passerine bird.

Male investment into sexual ornamentation is a reproductive decision that depends on the context of breeding and life history state. In turn, selection for state- and context-specific expression of sexual ornamentation should favour the evolution of developmental pathways that enable the flexible allocation of resources into sexual ornamentation. We studied lifelong variation in the expression and condition-dependence of a sexual ornament in relation to age and the context of breeding in male house finches (Carpodacus mexicanus)--a species that develops a new sexual ornament once a year after breeding. Throughout males' lifetime, the elaboration of ornamentation and the allocation of resources to the development of sexual ornamentation depended strongly on pairing status in the preceding breeding season--males that were single invested more resources into sexual ornamentation and changed ornamentation more than males that were paired. During the initial (post-juvenile) moult, the expression of ornamentation was closely dependent on individual condition, however the condition-dependence of ornamentation sharply decreased throughout a male's lifetime and in older males expression of sexual ornamentation was largely independent of condition during moult. Selection for early breeding favoured greater ornamentation in males that were single in the preceding seasons and the strength of this selection increased with age. On the contrary, the strength of selection on sexual ornamentation decreased with age in males that were paired in the preceding breeding season. Our results reveal strong context-dependency in investment into sexual ornamentation as well as a high flexibility in the development of sexual ornamentation throughout a male's life.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Chronic diseases in adolescence].

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of chronic diseases in adolescence is constantly increasing, especially in the last two decades. Adolescence is a period of important changes: body growth and development, sexual development, development of cognitive abilities, change in family relations and between peers, formation of personal identity and personal system of values, making decisions on future occupation etc. CHRONIC DISEASES IN ADOLESENCE: Chronic disorders affect all development issues and represent an additional burden for adolescents. The interaction between chronic disorders and various development issues is complex and two-way: the disease may affect development, and development may affect the disease. Developmental, psychosocial and family factors are of great importance in the treatment of adolescents with chronic disorders. Chronic disorders affect all aspects of adolescent life, including relations with peers, school, nutrition, learning, travelling, entertainment, choice of occupation, plans for the future. Physicians should keep in mind that chronic diseases and their treatment represent only one aspect of person's life. Adolescents with chronic diseases have other needs as well, personal priorities, social roles and they expect these needs to be recognised and respected. Adolescent health care should be adjusted to the life style of adolescents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Teenagers' health concerns: implications for primary health care professionals.

Four hundred and eighty five students, aged 13-15 years, at nine comprehensive schools in the London borough of Brent completed a questionnaire about health-related behaviours and health concerns. Among general health concerns, most prominent were weight, acne, nutrition and exercise. There appeared to be a considerable unmet need to discuss sexual development, sexually transmitted diseases and contraception. A substantial proportion (16% of the girls and 3% of the boys) reported sexual abuse, but few wished to discuss this with a doctor or nurse. Although a relatively high percentage of the students smoked and a smaller percentage used alcohol or drugs regularly, there was little concern or interest in discussing these matters with a health professional. Most of the schools did not have a formal health education programme, and in none of them were health professionals available for discussion of the issues under study. There appears to be a need for more comprehensive health education in schools and for primary health care professionals, particularly general practitioners to raise these issues opportunistically with their teenage patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

A prospective investigation of the impact of childhood sexual abuse on the development of sexuality.

The sexual attitudes and activities of 77 sexually abused and 89 comparison women (mean age = 20.41, SD = 3.38) were assessed 10 years after disclosure in a longitudinal, prospective study of the long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse. Abused participants were more preoccupied with sex, younger at first voluntary intercourse, more likely to have been teen mothers, and endorsed lower birth controlefficacy than comparison participants. When psychological functioning earlier in development was examined, sexual preoccupation was predicted by anxiety, sexual aversion was predicted by childhood sexual behavior problems, and sexual ambivalence (simultaneous sexual preoccupation and sexual aversion) was predicted by pathological dissociation. Findings also indicate that biological father abuse may be associated with greater sexual aversion and sexual ambivalence.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Parent expectations and comfort with discussion of normal childhood sexuality and sexual abuse prevention during office visits.

BACKGROUND: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that pediatricians provide anticipatory guidance about sexual development and sexual abuse prevention. OBJECTIVE: To examine parents' expectations, comfort level, and experience discussing sexual development and sexual abuse prevention with pediatricians. METHODS: A consecutive sample of parents presenting for care at 9 pediatric offices completed a self-administered survey. The survey included demographic information and questions related to parents' expectations, past experience, and comfort discussing normal childhood sexuality and sexual abuse prevention with their children's provider. Analyses examined relationships with parental recall of provider discussion about these topics and demographic characteristics. RESULTS: Of the 605 parents offered participation, 536 responses (89%) were analyzed. Respondents were 83% mothers, 62% white, 23% Hispanic, 7% African American, 6% Asian, 2% "other," and 65% college graduates. Nearly all respondents (98%) indicated pediatricians should discuss normal sexuality, and 96% indicated physicians should discuss sexual abuse prevention. Most parents (77%) indicated both the parent and the doctor are responsible for introducing these topics. Over 90% of parents reported that they were comfortable discussing these topics. Only 45% of respondents reported their child's pediatrician had discussed normal sexuality, and 29% had discussed sexual abuse prevention. Logistic regression modeling found the highest rates of discussion for normal sexuality were among parents with older children and the highest rates of discussion for child sexual abuse prevention topics were for mothers and those with older children. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatricians can discuss normal sexuality and sexual abuse prevention without fear of alienating parents.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Changing patterns of adolescent sexual behavior: consequences for health and development.

Sexuality is a fundamental quality of human life, important for health, happiness, individual development, and indeed for the preservation of the human race. During the dynamic period of adolescence in which the passage from childhood to maturity takes place, sexuality takes on new dimensions; feelings become more intense, relationships become more complex, and the consequences of sexual behavior are radically altered. This not only affects the behavior of young people but also of those who interact with them, their families and peers, and those who work in the health, education, youth, social welfare, and other sectors. In the contemporary world the conditions of life for many young people have also changed, and with it patterns of sexual behavior. In general, earlier puberty, later marriage, a decline in the family leading to less control and more autonomy, and intense exposure to sexual stimuli via the mass media and travel across cultural boundaries have made pre-marital adolescent sexual activity more common. This has added to traditional problems of early marriage, newer problems of early pregnancy, childbirth, and induced abortion outside of marriage, sexually transmitted diseases, and human immunodeficiency syndrome infection leading to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. But the work of the World Health Organization (WHO), along with many others in the field, strongly suggests that given appropriate information and services, trust and equity between the sexes, young people will behave responsibly and well. In this paper some of the findings from methods developed by WHO for research, training, advocacy, and evaluation, and findings in relation to patterns and determinants of sexual and reproductive health and development will be described, and future directions suggested.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Rooting and the development of male sexual behavior in two inbred mouse strains.

The sexual development of C57BL 6/J and SEC/IReJ male mice was studied during twice-weekly pairings with estrus females from 5 weeks of age. SEC were far slower to begin copulating than C57 and their responses to the female included a much higher frequency of rooting. Rooting, where the male's snout is pushed below the female's flank and jerked upwards, declines over tests as the full copulatory pattern develops. SEC also spent a higher proportion of their time in close contact with the female and groomed her more than C57. Both strains showed more rapid development of copulation if testing was delayed until 10 weeks of age, especially if they had exposure to female scent during this maturation period. The frequency of rooting and the speed of development are inversely related in these strains, but in segregating hybrid populations no such relationship is maintained. It is argued that the slowness of SEC's development cannot be ascribed to low sexual motivation. The significance of rooting remains obscure, but it seems possible that it may represent an aspect of exploratory behavior that is highly developed in SEC and some other strains.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

The development of sexual identity.

The development of sexual identity was studied in 686 individuals, using a fantasy measure of sexual identity that does not depend on learned sex-role stereotypes. The results showed a marked differentiation between the sexes at pre-adolescence, a loss of differentiation during the freshman year of college that most closely resembled the lack of differentiation in sexual identity of preschool children, and a reemergence of a clear sexual identity during the last years of college. Possible biological, social context, and psychodynamic-maturational explanations for this pattern of development are discussed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Evolutionary pathways in shorebird breeding systems: sexual conflict, parental care, and chick development.

Sexual selection, mating opportunities, and parental behavior are interrelated, although the specific nature of these relationships is controversial. Two major hypotheses have been suggested. The parental investment hypothesis states that the relative parental investment of the sexes drives the operation of sexual selection. Thus, the sex that invests less in offspring care competes more intensely and monopolizes access to mates. The sexual conflict hypothesis proposes that sexual selection (the competition among both males and females for mates), mating opportunities, and parental behavior are interrelated and predicts a feedback loop between mating systems and parental care. Here we test both hypotheses using a comprehensive dataset of shorebirds, a maximum-likelihood statistical technique, and a recent supertree of extant shorebirds and allies. Shorebirds are an excellent group for these analyses because they display unique variation in parental care and social mating system. First, we show that chick development constrains the evolution of both parental care and mate competition, because transitions toward more precocial offspring preceded transitions toward reduced parental care and social polygamy. Second, changes in care and mating systems respond to one another, most likely because both influenced and are influenced by mating opportunities. Taken together, our results are more consistent with the sexual conflict hypothesis than the parental investment hypothesis.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Developmental variables and dominance rank in adolescent male mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx).

Previous research on semifree-ranging mandrills has shown that the degree of secondary sexual development differs among adult males. While some males are social, brightly colored, and have large testes and high levels of plasma testosterone, other males are peripheral or solitary, and lack fully developed secondary sexual features. In order to determine how these differences among males arise, and to investigate the influence of social factors, we examined the adolescent development of 13 semifree-ranging male mandrills of known age. Testicular volume began to increase markedly at 5.5 yr, and males began to develop secondary sexual adornments at the age of 6 yr. Males attained adult size and secondary sexual development at an average age of 9 yr. As males developed, they peripheralized, decreasing from 100% group-associated at 5 yr to 20% at 8 yr. At 9 yr some males reentered the social group and attained alpha rank, while others remained peripheral or solitary. Within this average development, there was marked variation among males in the timing of development. Adolescent males that were dominant for their age had higher testosterone levels, larger testes, and more advanced secondary sexual development than subordinate males. The implications of these findings are discussed in the light of differences that occur among adult males, male-male competition, and the evolution of secondary sexual adornments in this species.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1997

How peer education changed peer sexuality educators' self-esteem, personal development, and sexual behavior.

Despite peer education's having become an extremely common strategy on many college campuses, very few outcome evaluations of these programs, particularly evaluations that focus on the peers themselves, have been performed. In this article, we report on a study that measured changes in self-esteem, personal development, and sexual behavior over 1 academic year in 65 sexuality peer educators from 10 universities in the United States. Objective measures of those traits demonstrated a shift in a positive direction; after analysis, however, the changes were not statistically significant. Qualitative data described increased levels of self-esteem, confidence, and safer sexual behavior as a major outcomes of the program, reinforcing the notion of the positive effects of peer education. Implications for program enhancement and considerations of the importance of evaluation are discussed, and recommendations for future research are offered.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Development of sexual dimorphism in synaptic organization in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus in rats.

The ventromedial nuclei of the hypothalamus (VMN) were examined ultrastructurally in both male and female rats at 5, 20, 45 and 100 days of age. Synaptic number in the VMN was increased to 70-80% of that at 45 days of age during the first 20 days. At 5 days of age, sexual difference in the numerical density of dendritic shaft and spine synapses was not detected. Synaptic sexual difference developed by 20 days of age in the ventrolateral VMN where receptors for sex steroid were abundant. This tendency persisted until adulthood. However, no sexual difference in synaptic pattern was recognized in the dorsomedial VMN. From these results, it is suggested that sexual dimorphism in synaptic organization in the VMN develops from the early prepubertal period.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Final report of the Bawnmore Personal Development Programme: staff attitudes and sexuality programme development in an Irish service organisation for people with mental handicap.

In this paper, issues on sexuality and mental handicap are reviewed, and recognition of the growing importance of sex education to integration is noted. The development of a sex education programme and staff training provided within a service organisation, with some involvement from other services within an Irish setting, are described, and their evaluation is reported. Attitudes towards involvement prove of particular interest, and factors influencing continuation or discontinuation are identified. The need for attitude change among staff and administration towards the priority given to sex education is highlighted, and a need for structural change in staffing arrangements to facilitate such education is indicated. Failure to recognise sexuality as a research issue in evaluating the success of integration efforts is noted, and such research is recommended as a top priority for the future.

Adult↗