Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-mlc7c Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-19T03:56:14.146Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Significance of androgen levels in the aetiology and treatment of homosexuality

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

Sheelah James
Affiliation:
Regional Behaviour Research Unit and Department of Pathology, Hollymoor Hospital, Birmingham
R. A. Carter
Affiliation:
Regional Behaviour Research Unit and Department of Pathology, Hollymoor Hospital, Birmingham
A. Orwin*
Affiliation:
Regional Behaviour Research Unit and Department of Pathology, Hollymoor Hospital, Birmingham
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr A. Orwin, Consultant Psychiatrist, Regional Behaviour Research Unit, Hollymoor Hospital, Northfield, Birmingham B31 5EX.

Synopsis

Serum total androgens were estimated by radioimmunoassay on blood samples of treatment-seeking homosexuals and heterosexual controls. There was no significant difference in androgen levels between the homosexual and control group, nor was there any relationship between androgen levels and response to treatment. These results suggest that androgen levels have no aetiological significance in treatment-seeking homosexuals and have no relevance as indicators of treatment outcome.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1977

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Birk, L., Williams, G. H., Chasin, M. & Rose, L. J. (1973). Serum testosterone levels in homosexual men. The New England Journal of Medicine 289, 12361238.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Brodie, H. K. H., Gartrell, N., Doering, C. & Rhue, T. (1974). Plasma testosterone levels in heterosexual and homosexual men. American Journal of Psychiatry 131, 8283.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dewhurst, K. (1969). Sexual activity and urinary steroids in man with special reference to male homosexuality. British Journal of Psychiatry 115, 14131415.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Doerr, P., Kockott, G., Vogt, H. J., Pirke, K. M. & Dittmar, F. (1973). Plasma testosterone, oestradiol, and semen analysis in male homosexuals. Archives of General Psychiatry 29, 829833.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dufau, M. L., Catt, K. J., Tshururara, T. & Ryan, D. (1972). Radioimmunoassay of plasma testosterone. Clinica Chimica Acta 37, 109116.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kinsey, A. C., Pomeroy, W. B. & Martin, C. E. (1948). Sexual Behaviour in the Human Male. Saunders: Philadelphia.Google Scholar
Kolodny, R. C., Masters, W. H., Hendryx, J. & Toro, G. (1971). Plasma testosterone and semen analysis in male homosexuals. The New England Journal of Medicine 285, 11701174.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kreuz, L. E., Rose, R. M. & Jennings, J. R. (1972). Suppression of plasma testosterone levels and psychological stress. Archives of General Psychiatry 26, 479482.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lawrence, D. M. & Swyer, G. I. (1973). Plasma testosterone using sephadex LH-20 and saturation analysis by competitive protein binding. Annals of Clinical Biochemistry 10, 115119.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Loraine, J. A., Ismail, A. A. A., Adamopoulos, D. A. & Dove, G. A. (1970). Endocrine function in male and female homosexuals. British Medical Journal iv, 406408.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Turner, R. K., Pielmaier, H., James, S. & Orwin, A. (1974). Personality characteristics of male homosexuals referred for aversion therapy: A comparative study. British Journal of Psychiatry 125, 447449.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed