2009 article on how scientist changed one gene to change sex of mouse

http://www.geneticsandsociety.org/article.php?id=5011

Simple gene technique changes sex of a mouse From Minnie to Mickey (and all they did was turn off a gene) by Steve Connor, The Independent December 11th, 2009

The battle of the sexes is a never-ending war waged within ourselves as male and female elements of our own bodies continually fight each other for supremacy. This is the astonishing implication of a pioneering study showing that it is possible to flick a genetic switch that turns female ovary cells into male testicular tissue. For decades, the battle of the sexes has been accepted by biologists as a real phenomenon with males and females competing against each other - when their interests do not coincide - for the continued survival of their genes in the next generation. Now scientists have been able to show that a gender war is constantly raging between the genes and cells of one individual. One of the great dogmas of biology is that gender is fixed from birth, determined by the inheritance of certain genes on the X and Y sex chromosomes. But this simplistic idea has been exploded by the latest study, which demonstrated that fully-developed adult females can undergo a partial sex change following a genetic modification to a single gene. The findings suggest that being male or female is not a permanently fixed state but something that has to be continually maintained in the adult body by the constant interaction of genes to keep the status quo - and the gender war - from slipping in favour of the opposite sex. The results could explain some of the great mysteries of human gender, for instance why some women after the menopause develop male characteristics, such as facial hair and deeper voices, or why other people are so unhappy with the gender they were born with that they seek hormone therapy and radical sex-change operations. Scientists said that the study also contradicted another biological dogma - that the "default" gender is female, with all embryos starting out as female unless they possess a male sex-determining gene. Although this remains true in terms of how gender is determined in the womb, the latest findings show that it is still possible to convert an adult female's ovaries into testosterone-producing testes. The study was carried out on mice but the implications are relevant to humans, the scientists said. By switching off a gene called FoxL2, which exists in all mammals, the ovary cells of adult female mice developed spontaneously into the fully developed, testosterone-producing cells found in male testes, although they could not produce sperm. "We take it for granted that we maintain the sex we are born with, including whether we have testes or ovaries," said Robin Lovell-Badge, from the Medical Research Council's National Institute of Medical Research in north London, who was part of the international team led by the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg. "But this work shows that the activity of a single gene, FoxL2, is all that prevents adult ovary cells turning into cells found in testes. If it is possible to make these changes in adult humans, it may eventually remove the need for surgery in gender-reassignment treatment," Dr Lovell-Badge said. "If this does become possible, it's likely that while treated individuals would make the right hormones for their new sex, fertility would be lost. It's still very speculative, but it's possible that this approach could produce an alternative to surgery and the removal of gonads - ovaries and testes. It's a little more natural, but of course anyone undergoing such a sex change would be infertile," he added. The study, published in the journal Cell, found that the female-promoting FoxL2 gene works by suppressing a male-promoting gene called Sox9. In the adult female mice where FoxL2 was artificially switched off, the Sox9 quickly took over, sending chemical signals that converted the ovary's female cells into the testosterone-producing cells normally found only in the testes. The female mice produced levels of testosterone normally found in male mice - 100 times higher than the concentrations found in ordinary female mice. This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of biotechnology and public policy issues. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#107. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

Research article on comparison of trans woman to female brain

I am in the process of setting up another blog with just research on gender, hormones but I wanted to share this article for now with everyone

Thank you ,
Rachel

http://press.endocrine.org/doi/full/10.1210/jcem.85.5.6564

Results

Section:

- See more at: http://press.endocrine.org/doi/full/10.1210/jcem.85.5.6564#sthash.5OKpfRtK.dpuf

Results

Section:

- See more at: http://press.endocrine.org/doi/full/10.1210/jcem.85.5.6564#sthash.5OKpfRtK.dpuf

Differences among the groups were statistically significant by the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis multiple comparison test (P = 0.002 for SOM neuron number). No statistical group differences were found for age (P = 0.090), brain weight (P = 0.125), postmortem time (P= 0.738), fixation time (P = 0.065), or storage time (P = 0.308). To further test whether the differences in the BSTc between the groups were affected by possible confounding factors, such as paraffin-embedded storage time of sections, fixation time, postmortem time, or brain weight, an analysis of covariance was carried out. These factors seemed to have no significant effect on the BSTc SOM neuron numbers (P > 0.10).
The number of SOM neurons in the BSTc of heterosexual men (32.9 ± 3.0 × 10³) was 71% higher than that in heterosexual women (19.2 ± 2.5 × 10³) (P < 0.006), whereas the number of neurons in heterosexual and homosexual men (34.6 ± 3.4 × 10³) was similar (P = 0.83). The BSTc number of neurons was 81% higher in homosexual men than in heterosexual women (P < 0.004). The number of neurons in the BSTc of male-to-female transsexuals was similar to that of females (19.6 ± 3.3 × 10³) (P = 0.83) (see also Figs. 1 and 2). In addition, the neuron number of the FMT was clearly in the male range (see Fig. 1). The number of neurons in transsexuals was 40% lower than that found in the heterosexual reference males (P < 0.04; see the legend to Fig. 1) and 44% lower than that found in the homosexual males (P < 0.02). Including patients S2, S3, and S5 in the male group and S1, S6, and M2 in the female group or S7 in the transsexual group to increase the number of their respective gender groups enhanced the level of significance among the groups (P < 0.001 for SOM neuron number). There seemed to be no clear difference in the BSTc number of neurons between early onset (T2, T5, T6) and late-onset transsexuals (T1, T3), indicating that their smaller number of neurons is related to the gender identity per se rather than to the age at which it became apparent. No indication was found for a relationship between cause of death and BSTc neuron numbers. Analysis of the BSTc volumes showed a similar pattern of differences among the groups with heterosexual men having a BSTc volume of 4.60 ± 0.28 mm³, similar to that in homosexual men (5.00 ± 0.39 mm³) (P = 0.76). The BSTc volume of females (3.38 ± 0.41 mm³) and that of transsexuals (3.58 ± 0.19 mm³) did not differ either (P = 0.50). The volumes of all males, regardless of sexual orientation, vs. all females or vs. all genetic male transsexuals were statistically highly significant (P ≤ 0.01). The FMT had a BSTc volume in the male range (4.80 mm³).
- See more at: http://press.endocrine.org/doi/full/10.1210/jcem.85.5.6564#sthash.5OKpfRtK.dpuf

Differences among the groups were statistically significant by the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis multiple comparison test (P = 0.002 for SOM neuron number). No statistical group differences were found for age (P = 0.090), brain weight (P = 0.125), postmortem time (P= 0.738), fixation time (P = 0.065), or storage time (P = 0.308). To further test whether the differences in the BSTc between the groups were affected by possible confounding factors, such as paraffin-embedded storage time of sections, fixation time, postmortem time, or brain weight, an analysis of covariance was carried out. These factors seemed to have no significant effect on the BSTc SOM neuron numbers (P > 0.10).
The number of SOM neurons in the BSTc of heterosexual men (32.9 ± 3.0 × 10³) was 71% higher than that in heterosexual women (19.2 ± 2.5 × 10³) (P < 0.006), whereas the number of neurons in heterosexual and homosexual men (34.6 ± 3.4 × 10³) was similar (P = 0.83). The BSTc number of neurons was 81% higher in homosexual men than in heterosexual women (P < 0.004). The number of neurons in the BSTc of male-to-female transsexuals was similar to that of females (19.6 ± 3.3 × 10³) (P = 0.83) (see also Figs. 1 and 2). In addition, the neuron number of the FMT was clearly in the male range (see Fig. 1). The number of neurons in transsexuals was 40% lower than that found in the heterosexual reference males (P < 0.04; see the legend to Fig. 1) and 44% lower than that found in the homosexual males (P < 0.02). Including patients S2, S3, and S5 in the male group and S1, S6, and M2 in the female group or S7 in the transsexual group to increase the number of their respective gender groups enhanced the level of significance among the groups (P < 0.001 for SOM neuron number). There seemed to be no clear difference in the BSTc number of neurons between early onset (T2, T5, T6) and late-onset transsexuals (T1, T3), indicating that their smaller number of neurons is related to the gender identity per se rather than to the age at which it became apparent. No indication was found for a relationship between cause of death and BSTc neuron numbers. Analysis of the BSTc volumes showed a similar pattern of differences among the groups with heterosexual men having a BSTc volume of 4.60 ± 0.28 mm³, similar to that in homosexual men (5.00 ± 0.39 mm³) (P = 0.76). The BSTc volume of females (3.38 ± 0.41 mm³) and that of transsexuals (3.58 ± 0.19 mm³) did not differ either (P = 0.50). The volumes of all males, regardless of sexual orientation, vs. all females or vs. all genetic male transsexuals were statistically highly significant (P ≤ 0.01). The FMT had a BSTc volume in the male range (4.80 mm³).
- See more at: http://press.endocrine.org/doi/full/10.1210/jcem.85.5.6564#sthash.5OKpfRtK.dpuf

Differences among the groups were statistically significant by the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis multiple comparison test (P = 0.002 for SOM neuron number). No statistical group differences were found for age (P = 0.090), brain weight (P = 0.125), postmortem time (P= 0.738), fixation time (P = 0.065), or storage time (P = 0.308). To further test whether the differences in the BSTc between the groups were affected by possible confounding factors, such as paraffin-embedded storage time of sections, fixation time, postmortem time, or brain weight, an analysis of covariance was carried out. These factors seemed to have no significant effect on the BSTc SOM neuron numbers (P > 0.10).
The number of SOM neurons in the BSTc of heterosexual men (32.9 ± 3.0 × 10³) was 71% higher than that in heterosexual women (19.2 ± 2.5 × 10³) (P < 0.006), whereas the number of neurons in heterosexual and homosexual men (34.6 ± 3.4 × 10³) was similar (P = 0.83). The BSTc number of neurons was 81% higher in homosexual men than in heterosexual women (P < 0.004). The number of neurons in the BSTc of male-to-female transsexuals was similar to that of females (19.6 ± 3.3 × 10³) (P = 0.83) (see also Figs. 1 and 2). In addition, the neuron number of the FMT was clearly in the male range (see Fig. 1). The number of neurons in transsexuals was 40% lower than that found in the heterosexual reference males (P < 0.04; see the legend to Fig. 1) and 44% lower than that found in the homosexual males (P < 0.02). Including patients S2, S3, and S5 in the male group and S1, S6, and M2 in the female group or S7 in the transsexual group to increase the number of their respective gender groups enhanced the level of significance among the groups (P < 0.001 for SOM neuron number). There seemed to be no clear difference in the BSTc number of neurons between early onset (T2, T5, T6) and late-onset transsexuals (T1, T3), indicating that their smaller number of neurons is related to the gender identity per se rather than to the age at which it became apparent. No indication was found for a relationship between cause of death and BSTc neuron numbers. Analysis of the BSTc volumes showed a similar pattern of differences among the groups with heterosexual men having a BSTc volume of 4.60 ± 0.28 mm³, similar to that in homosexual men (5.00 ± 0.39 mm³) (P = 0.76). The BSTc volume of females (3.38 ± 0.41 mm³) and that of transsexuals (3.58 ± 0.19 mm³) did not differ either (P = 0.50). The volumes of all males, regardless of sexual orientation, vs. all females or vs. all genetic male transsexuals were statistically highly significant (P ≤ 0.01). The FMT had a BSTc volume in the male range (4.80 mm³).
- See more at: http://press.endocrine.org/doi/full/10.1210/jcem.85.5.6564#sthash.5OKpfRtK.dpuf

Differences among the groups were statistically significant by the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis multiple comparison test (P = 0.002 for SOM neuron number). No statistical group differences were found for age (P = 0.090), brain weight (P = 0.125), postmortem time (P= 0.738), fixation time (P = 0.065), or storage time (P = 0.308). To further test whether the differences in the BSTc between the groups were affected by possible confounding factors, such as paraffin-embedded storage time of sections, fixation time, postmortem time, or brain weight, an analysis of covariance was carried out. These factors seemed to have no significant effect on the BSTc SOM neuron numbers (P > 0.10).
The number of SOM neurons in the BSTc of heterosexual men (32.9 ± 3.0 × 10³) was 71% higher than that in heterosexual women (19.2 ± 2.5 × 10³) (P < 0.006), whereas the number of neurons in heterosexual and homosexual men (34.6 ± 3.4 × 10³) was similar (P = 0.83). The BSTc number of neurons was 81% higher in homosexual men than in heterosexual women (P < 0.004). The number of neurons in the BSTc of male-to-female transsexuals was similar to that of females (19.6 ± 3.3 × 10³) (P = 0.83) (see also Figs. 1 and 2). In addition, the neuron number of the FMT was clearly in the male range (see Fig. 1). The number of neurons in transsexuals was 40% lower than that found in the heterosexual reference males (P < 0.04; see the legend to Fig. 1) and 44% lower than that found in the homosexual males (P < 0.02). Including patients S2, S3, and S5 in the male group and S1, S6, and M2 in the female group or S7 in the transsexual group to increase the number of their respective gender groups enhanced the level of significance among the groups (P < 0.001 for SOM neuron number). There seemed to be no clear difference in the BSTc number of neurons between early onset (T2, T5, T6) and late-onset transsexuals (T1, T3), indicating that their smaller number of neurons is related to the gender identity per se rather than to the age at which it became apparent. No indication was found for a relationship between cause of death and BSTc neuron numbers. Analysis of the BSTc volumes showed a similar pattern of differences among the groups with heterosexual men having a BSTc volume of 4.60 ± 0.28 mm³, similar to that in homosexual men (5.00 ± 0.39 mm³) (P = 0.76). The BSTc volume of females (3.38 ± 0.41 mm³) and that of transsexuals (3.58 ± 0.19 mm³) did not differ either (P = 0.50). The volumes of all males, regardless of sexual orientation, vs. all females or vs. all genetic male transsexuals were statistically highly significant (P ≤ 0.01). The FMT had a BSTc volume in the male range (4.80 mm³).
- See more at: http://press.endocrine.org/doi/full/10.1210/jcem.85.5.6564#sthash.5OKpfRtK.dpuf

Differences among the groups were statistically significant by the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis multiple comparison test (P = 0.002 for SOM neuron number). No statistical group differences were found for age (P = 0.090), brain weight (P = 0.125), postmortem time (P= 0.738), fixation time (P = 0.065), or storage time (P = 0.308). To further test whether the differences in the BSTc between the groups were affected by possible confounding factors, such as paraffin-embedded storage time of sections, fixation time, postmortem time, or brain weight, an analysis of covariance was carried out. These factors seemed to have no significant effect on the BSTc SOM neuron numbers (P > 0.10).
The number of SOM neurons in the BSTc of heterosexual men (32.9 ± 3.0 × 10³) was 71% higher than that in heterosexual women (19.2 ± 2.5 × 10³) (P < 0.006), whereas the number of neurons in heterosexual and homosexual men (34.6 ± 3.4 × 10³) was similar (P = 0.83). The BSTc number of neurons was 81% higher in homosexual men than in heterosexual women (P < 0.004). The number of neurons in the BSTc of male-to-female transsexuals was similar to that of females (19.6 ± 3.3 × 10³) (P = 0.83) (see also Figs. 1 and 2). In addition, the neuron number of the FMT was clearly in the male range (see Fig. 1). The number of neurons in transsexuals was 40% lower than that found in the heterosexual reference males (P < 0.04; see the legend to Fig. 1) and 44% lower than that found in the homosexual males (P < 0.02). Including patients S2, S3, and S5 in the male group and S1, S6, and M2 in the female group or S7 in the transsexual group to increase the number of their respective gender groups enhanced the level of significance among the groups (P < 0.001 for SOM neuron number). There seemed to be no clear difference in the BSTc number of neurons between early onset (T2, T5, T6) and late-onset transsexuals (T1, T3), indicating that their smaller number of neurons is related to the gender identity per se rather than to the age at which it became apparent. No indication was found for a relationship between cause of death and BSTc neuron numbers. Analysis of the BSTc volumes showed a similar pattern of differences among the groups with heterosexual men having a BSTc volume of 4.60 ± 0.28 mm³, similar to that in homosexual men (5.00 ± 0.39 mm³) (P = 0.76). The BSTc volume of females (3.38 ± 0.41 mm³) and that of transsexuals (3.58 ± 0.19 mm³) did not differ either (P = 0.50). The volumes of all males, regardless of sexual orientation, vs. all females or vs. all genetic male transsexuals were statistically highly significant (P ≤ 0.01). The FMT had a BSTc volume in the male range (4.80 mm³).
- See more at: http://press.endocrine.org/doi/full/10.1210/jcem.85.5.6564#sthash.5OKpfRtK.dpuf

Differences among the groups were statistically significant by the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis multiple comparison test (P = 0.002 for SOM neuron number). No statistical group differences were found for age (P = 0.090), brain weight (P = 0.125), postmortem time (P= 0.738), fixation time (P = 0.065), or storage time (P = 0.308). To further test whether the differences in the BSTc between the groups were affected by possible confounding factors, such as paraffin-embedded storage time of sections, fixation time, postmortem time, or brain weight, an analysis of covariance was carried out. These factors seemed to have no significant effect on the BSTc SOM neuron numbers (P > 0.10).
The number of SOM neurons in the BSTc of heterosexual men (32.9 ± 3.0 × 10³) was 71% higher than that in heterosexual women (19.2 ± 2.5 × 10³) (P < 0.006), whereas the number of neurons in heterosexual and homosexual men (34.6 ± 3.4 × 10³) was similar (P = 0.83). The BSTc number of neurons was 81% higher in homosexual men than in heterosexual women (P < 0.004). The number of neurons in the BSTc of male-to-female transsexuals was similar to that of females (19.6 ± 3.3 × 10³) (P = 0.83) (see also Figs. 1 and 2). In addition, the neuron number of the FMT was clearly in the male range (see Fig. 1). The number of neurons in transsexuals was 40% lower than that found in the heterosexual reference males (P < 0.04; see the legend to Fig. 1) and 44% lower than that found in the homosexual males (P < 0.02). Including patients S2, S3, and S5 in the male group and S1, S6, and M2 in the female group or S7 in the transsexual group to increase the number of their respective gender groups enhanced the level of significance among the groups (P < 0.001 for SOM neuron number). There seemed to be no clear difference in the BSTc number of neurons between early onset (T2, T5, T6) and late-onset transsexuals (T1, T3), indicating that their smaller number of neurons is related to the gender identity per se rather than to the age at which it became apparent. No indication was found for a relationship between cause of death and BSTc neuron numbers. Analysis of the BSTc volumes showed a similar pattern of differences among the groups with heterosexual men having a BSTc volume of 4.60 ± 0.28 mm³, similar to that in homosexual men (5.00 ± 0.39 mm³) (P = 0.76). The BSTc volume of females (3.38 ± 0.41 mm³) and that of transsexuals (3.58 ± 0.19 mm³) did not differ either (P = 0.50). The volumes of all males, regardless of sexual orientation, vs. all females or vs. all genetic male transsexuals were statistically highly significant (P ≤ 0.01). The FMT had a BSTc volume in the male range (4.80 mm³).
- See more at: http://press.endocrine.org/doi/full/10.1210/jcem.85.5.6564#sthash.5OKpfRtK.dpuf

Differences among the groups were statistically significant by the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis multiple comparison test (P = 0.002 for SOM neuron number). No statistical group differences were found for age (P = 0.090), brain weight (P = 0.125), postmortem time (P= 0.738), fixation time (P = 0.065), or storage time (P = 0.308). To further test whether the differences in the BSTc between the groups were affected by possible confounding factors, such as paraffin-embedded storage time of sections, fixation time, postmortem time, or brain weight, an analysis of covariance was carried out. These factors seemed to have no significant effect on the BSTc SOM neuron numbers (P > 0.10).
The number of SOM neurons in the BSTc of heterosexual men (32.9 ± 3.0 × 10³) was 71% higher than that in heterosexual women (19.2 ± 2.5 × 10³) (P < 0.006), whereas the number of neurons in heterosexual and homosexual men (34.6 ± 3.4 × 10³) was similar (P = 0.83). The BSTc number of neurons was 81% higher in homosexual men than in heterosexual women (P < 0.004). The number of neurons in the BSTc of male-to-female transsexuals was similar to that of females (19.6 ± 3.3 × 10³) (P = 0.83) (see also Figs. 1 and 2). In addition, the neuron number of the FMT was clearly in the male range (see Fig. 1). The number of neurons in transsexuals was 40% lower than that found in the heterosexual reference males (P < 0.04; see the legend to Fig. 1) and 44% lower than that found in the homosexual males (P < 0.02). Including patients S2, S3, and S5 in the male group and S1, S6, and M2 in the female group or S7 in the transsexual group to increase the number of their respective gender groups enhanced the level of significance among the groups (P < 0.001 for SOM neuron number). There seemed to be no clear difference in the BSTc number of neurons between early onset (T2, T5, T6) and late-onset transsexuals (T1, T3), indicating that their smaller number of neurons is related to the gender identity per se rather than to the age at which it became apparent. No indication was found for a relationship between cause of death and BSTc neuron numbers. Analysis of the BSTc volumes showed a similar pattern of differences among the groups with heterosexual men having a BSTc volume of 4.60 ± 0.28 mm³, similar to that in homosexual men (5.00 ± 0.39 mm³) (P = 0.76). The BSTc volume of females (3.38 ± 0.41 mm³) and that of transsexuals (3.58 ± 0.19 mm³) did not differ either (P = 0.50). The volumes of all males, regardless of sexual orientation, vs. all females or vs. all genetic male transsexuals were statistically highly significant (P ≤ 0.01). The FMT had a BSTc volume in the male range (4.80 mm³).
- See more at: http://press.endocrine.org/doi/full/10.1210/jcem.85.5.6564#sthash.5OKpfRtK.dpuf

Differences among the groups were statistically significant by the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis multiple comparison test (P = 0.002 for SOM neuron number). No statistical group differences were found for age (P = 0.090), brain weight (P = 0.125), postmortem time (P= 0.738), fixation time (P = 0.065), or storage time (P = 0.308). To further test whether the differences in the BSTc between the groups were affected by possible confounding factors, such as paraffin-embedded storage time of sections, fixation time, postmortem time, or brain weight, an analysis of covariance was carried out. These factors seemed to have no significant effect on the BSTc SOM neuron numbers (P > 0.10).
The number of SOM neurons in the BSTc of heterosexual men (32.9 ± 3.0 × 10³) was 71% higher than that in heterosexual women (19.2 ± 2.5 × 10³) (P < 0.006), whereas the number of neurons in heterosexual and homosexual men (34.6 ± 3.4 × 10³) was similar (P = 0.83). The BSTc number of neurons was 81% higher in homosexual men than in heterosexual women (P < 0.004). The number of neurons in the BSTc of male-to-female transsexuals was similar to that of females (19.6 ± 3.3 × 10³) (P = 0.83) (see also Figs. 1 and 2). In addition, the neuron number of the FMT was clearly in the male range (see Fig. 1). The number of neurons in transsexuals was 40% lower than that found in the heterosexual reference males (P < 0.04; see the legend to Fig. 1) and 44% lower than that found in the homosexual males (P < 0.02). Including patients S2, S3, and S5 in the male group and S1, S6, and M2 in the female group or S7 in the transsexual group to increase the number of their respective gender groups enhanced the level of significance among the groups (P < 0.001 for SOM neuron number). There seemed to be no clear difference in the BSTc number of neurons between early onset (T2, T5, T6) and late-onset transsexuals (T1, T3), indicating that their smaller number of neurons is related to the gender identity per se rather than to the age at which it became apparent. No indication was found for a relationship between cause of death and BSTc neuron numbers. Analysis of the BSTc volumes showed a similar pattern of differences among the groups with heterosexual men having a BSTc volume of 4.60 ± 0.28 mm³, similar to that in homosexual men (5.00 ± 0.39 mm³) (P = 0.76). The BSTc volume of females (3.38 ± 0.41 mm³) and that of transsexuals (3.58 ± 0.19 mm³) did not differ either (P = 0.50). The volumes of all males, regardless of sexual orientation, vs. all females or vs. all genetic male transsexuals were statistically highly significant (P ≤ 0.01). The FMT had a BSTc volume in the male range (4.80 mm³).
- See more at: http://press.endocrine.org/doi/full/10.1210/jcem.85.5.6564#sthash.5OKpfRtK.dpuf

Results

Section:

- See more at: http://press.endocrine.org/doi/full/10.1210/jcem.85.5.6564#sthash.5OKpfRtK.dpuf

Differences among the groups were statistically significant by the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis multiple comparison test (P = 0.002 for SOM neuron number). No statistical group differences were found for age (P = 0.090), brain weight (P = 0.125), postmortem time (P= 0.738), fixation time (P = 0.065), or storage time (P = 0.308). To further test whether the differences in the BSTc between the groups were affected by possible confounding factors, such as paraffin-embedded storage time of sections, fixation time, postmortem time, or brain weight, an analysis of covariance was carried out. These factors seemed to have no significant effect on the BSTc SOM neuron numbers (P > 0.10).
The number of SOM neurons in the BSTc of heterosexual men (32.9 ± 3.0 × 10³) was 71% higher than that in heterosexual women (19.2 ± 2.5 × 10³) (P < 0.006), whereas the number of neurons in heterosexual and homosexual men (34.6 ± 3.4 × 10³) was similar (P = 0.83). The BSTc number of neurons was 81% higher in homosexual men than in heterosexual women (P < 0.004). The number of neurons in the BSTc of male-to-female transsexuals was similar to that of females (19.6 ± 3.3 × 10³) (P = 0.83) (see also Figs. 1 and 2). In addition, the neuron number of the FMT was clearly in the male range (see Fig. 1). The number of neurons in transsexuals was 40% lower than that found in the heterosexual reference males (P < 0.04; see the legend to Fig. 1) and 44% lower than that found in the homosexual males (P < 0.02). Including patients S2, S3, and S5 in the male group and S1, S6, and M2 in the female group or S7 in the transsexual group to increase the number of their respective gender groups enhanced the level of significance among the groups (P < 0.001 for SOM neuron number). There seemed to be no clear difference in the BSTc number of neurons between early onset (T2, T5, T6) and late-onset transsexuals (T1, T3), indicating that their smaller number of neurons is related to the gender identity per se rather than to the age at which it became apparent. No indication was found for a relationship between cause of death and BSTc neuron numbers. Analysis of the BSTc volumes showed a similar pattern of differences among the groups with heterosexual men having a BSTc volume of 4.60 ± 0.28 mm³, similar to that in homosexual men (5.00 ± 0.39 mm³) (P = 0.76). The BSTc volume of females (3.38 ± 0.41 mm³) and that of transsexuals (3.58 ± 0.19 mm³) did not differ either (P = 0.50). The volumes of all males, regardless of sexual orientation, vs. all females or vs. all genetic male transsexuals were statistically highly significant (P ≤ 0.01). The FMT had a BSTc volume in the male range (4.80 mm³).

- See more at: http://press.endocrine.org/doi/full/10.1210/jcem.85.5.6564#sthash.5OKpfRtK.dpuf

Differences among the groups were statistically significant by the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis multiple comparison test (P = 0.002 for SOM neuron number). No statistical group differences were found for age (P = 0.090), brain weight (P = 0.125), postmortem time (P= 0.738), fixation time (P = 0.065), or storage time (P = 0.308). To further test whether the differences in the BSTc between the groups were affected by possible confounding factors, such as paraffin-embedded storage time of sections, fixation time, postmortem time, or brain weight, an analysis of covariance was carried out. These factors seemed to have no significant effect on the BSTc SOM neuron numbers (P > 0.10).
The number of SOM neurons in the BSTc of heterosexual men (32.9 ± 3.0 × 10³) was 71% higher than that in heterosexual women (19.2 ± 2.5 × 10³) (P < 0.006), whereas the number of neurons in heterosexual and homosexual men (34.6 ± 3.4 × 10³) was similar (P = 0.83). The BSTc number of neurons was 81% higher in homosexual men than in heterosexual women (P < 0.004). The number of neurons in the BSTc of male-to-female transsexuals was similar to that of females (19.6 ± 3.3 × 10³) (P = 0.83) (see also Figs. 1 and 2). In addition, the neuron number of the FMT was clearly in the male range (see Fig. 1). The number of neurons in transsexuals was 40% lower than that found in the heterosexual reference males (P < 0.04; see the legend to Fig. 1) and 44% lower than that found in the homosexual males (P < 0.02). Including patients S2, S3, and S5 in the male group and S1, S6, and M2 in the female group or S7 in the transsexual group to increase the number of their respective gender groups enhanced the level of significance among the groups (P < 0.001 for SOM neuron number). There seemed to be no clear difference in the BSTc number of neurons between early onset (T2, T5, T6) and late-onset transsexuals (T1, T3), indicating that their smaller number of neurons is related to the gender identity per se rather than to the age at which it became apparent. No indication was found for a relationship between cause of death and BSTc neuron numbers. Analysis of the BSTc volumes showed a similar pattern of differences among the groups with heterosexual men having a BSTc volume of 4.60 ± 0.28 mm³, similar to that in homosexual men (5.00 ± 0.39 mm³) (P = 0.76). The BSTc volume of females (3.38 ± 0.41 mm³) and that of transsexuals (3.58 ± 0.19 mm³) did not differ either (P = 0.50). The volumes of all males, regardless of sexual orientation, vs. all females or vs. all genetic male transsexuals were statistically highly significant (P ≤ 0.01). The FMT had a BSTc volume in the male range (4.80 mm³).
- See more at: http://press.endocrine.org/doi/full/10.1210/jcem.85.5.6564#sthash.5OKpfRtK.dpuf