Ruolo dell’enzima aromatasi nell’orientamento psicosessuale

Abstract

Introduction

Neuroanathomy, neurochemistry and neurophysiology of the sexual orientation are still an enigma.

The topical problem is to draw a systemic theory of the psycho-sexual status of people based on the great and often contradictory experimental data.

Discussion

It seems that one of the brain areas that are mainly involved in the regulation of sexual orientation is the hypothalamic-front interstitial nucleus, whereas, from a neurochemical point of view, the sexual guideline would be mainly attributable to the relationship between the aromatase enzymatic activity (in charge of the transformation of the testosterone in estradiol) and 5-alpha-reductase (in charge of the activation of the testosterone in diidrotestosterone). The psychobrain differentiation in male sense would be induced by the female hormone estradiol, whereas that one in female sense by the activated male hormone. The situation would be opposite in homosexuality, consisting in a greater hypothalamic concentration of 5-alpha-reductase in males, compared with the concentration of aromatase whereas in females, a greater concentration of aromatase compared to that one of 5-alpha-reductase. The sexual orientation of homosexual males could therefore be reoriented in a heterosexual sense by inhibitors of 5-alpha-reductase (such as finasteride), whereas that one of homosexual females by inhibitors of aromatase (such as anastrozole).