Humans develop relatively stable attractions to sexual partners during maturation and present a spectrum of sexual orientation from homosexuality to heterosexuality encompassing varying degrees of bisexuality, with some individuals also displaying asexuality. Sexual orientation represents a basic life phenomenon for humans. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these diverse traits of sexual orientation remain highly controversial. In this review, we systematically discuss recent advancements in sexual orientation research, including those related to measurements and associated brain regions. Current findings regarding sexual orientation modulation by hormonal, genetic, maternal immune system, and environmental factors are summarized in both human and model systems. We also emphasize that future studies should recognize the differences between males and females and pay more attention to minor traits and the epigenetic regulation of sexual orientation. A comprehensive view of sexual orientation may promote our understanding of the biological basis of sex, and that of human reproduction, and evolution.
Keywords: Epigenetics; Genetics; Hormone; Neural correlate; Sexual orientation.
Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Rahman Q. Rahman Q. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2005;29(7):1057-66. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2005.03.002. Epub 2005 Apr 25. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2005. PMID: 16143171 Review.
Kangassalo K, Pölkki M, Rantala MJ. Kangassalo K, et al. Evol Psychol. 2011 Oct 10;9(4):496-508. doi: 10.1177/147470491100900402. Evol Psychol. 2011. PMID: 22947989 Free PMC article.
Ngun TC, Vilain E. Ngun TC, et al. Adv Genet. 2014;86:167-84. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-800222-3.00008-5. Adv Genet. 2014. PMID: 25172350 Review.
Ellis L, Lykins A, Hoskin A, Ratnasingam M. Ellis L, et al. J Sex Med. 2015 Dec;12(12):2364-77. doi: 10.1111/jsm.13070. Epub 2015 Dec 14. J Sex Med. 2015. PMID: 26663858
Meyer-Bahlburg HF, Dolezal C, Baker SW, New MI. Meyer-Bahlburg HF, et al. Arch Sex Behav. 2008 Feb;37(1):85-99. doi: 10.1007/s10508-007-9265-1. Arch Sex Behav. 2008. PMID: 18157628 Review.
Wang SD, Wang X, Zhao Y, Xue BH, Wang XT, Chen YX, Zhang ZQ, Tian YR, Xie F, Qian LJ. Wang SD, et al. Neurosci Bull. 2022 Aug;38(8):887-900. doi: 10.1007/s12264-022-00852-7. Epub 2022 Apr 18. Neurosci Bull. 2022. PMID: 35435568 Free PMC article.
Fu H, Yang T, Wang T, Wu X, Xia N, Feng T. Fu H, et al. Zhong Nan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban. 2021 Jan 28;46(1):91-97. doi: 10.11817/j.issn.1672-7347.2021.190280. Zhong Nan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban. 2021. PMID: 33678642 Free PMC article. Chinese, English.
Dubé S, Anctil D. Dubé S, et al. Int J Soc Robot. 2021;13(6):1205-1233. doi: 10.1007/s12369-020-00706-0. Epub 2020 Oct 28. Int J Soc Robot. 2021. PMID: 33133302 Free PMC article.
Skorska MN, Coome LA, Saokhieo P, Kaewthip O, Chariyalertsak S, VanderLaan DP. Skorska MN, et al. Arch Sex Behav. 2020 Oct;49(7):2431-2448. doi: 10.1007/s10508-020-01774-z. Epub 2020 Jul 5. Arch Sex Behav. 2020. PMID: 32623540
Miao Z, Wang Y, Sun Z. Miao Z, et al. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Feb 18;21(4):1375. doi: 10.3390/ijms21041375. Int J Mol Sci. 2020. PMID: 32085670 Free PMC article. Review.