ESPEYB17 15. Editors’ choice (1) (18 abstracts)
15.15. Large-scale GWAS reveals insights into the genetic architecture of same-sex sexual behavior
Ganna A , Verweij KJH , Nivard MG , Maier R , Wedow R , Busch AS , Abdellaoui A , Guo S , Sathirapongsasuti JF , 23andMe Research Team , Lichtenstein P , Lundström S , Långström N , Auton A , Harris KM , Beecham GW , Martin ER , Sanders AR , Perry JRB , Neale BM & Zietsch BP
To read the full abstract: Science 2019;365:eaat7693.
These authors performed a genome-wide association study on 493 001 participants of European-ancestry from the USA, UK, and Sweden to identify genes associated with sexual orientation. They found multiple loci implicated in same-sex sexual behavior indicating that, like other behavioral traits, non-heterosexual behavior is polygenic.
As many as 4% to 10% of US individuals report ever engaging in same-sex sexual behavior. It is commonly believed that same-sex orientation and sexual behavior runs in families and has a genetic basis. Twin studies and models to estimate inheritance indicate that same-sex sexual behavior has a significant genetic component that explains 18% of the phenotype in women and 37% in men. Other factors include shared environments of family or school, and legalization or norms regarding same-sex sexual behavior. However, previous searches for the specific genes involved had been underpowered.
This is the largest genetic study to date on this topic. They discovered 5 loci robustly associated with same-sex sexual behavior: 2 loci across both sexes, 2 only in males, and 1 only in females. However, these 5 loci together account for a small fraction (<1%) of the phenotypic variation. Thus, a combined genetic score cannot be used to predict same-sex sexual behavior of an individual.
A notable finding was that these loci were also associated with more heterosexual partners (among those reporting only heterosexual partners) – suggesting the traits measured here indicated a ‘promiscuous’ tendency rather than sexual orientation or preference. They did not find evidence of any specific cells and tissues related to this trait. Yet, male-specific loci were associated with olfactory receptor genes, sensitivity to certain scents, and regulation of testosterone and estrogen.
Article tools
My recent searches
My recently viewed abstracts
Authors
ESPE Yearbook of Paediatric Endocrinology
ISSN 1662-4009 (Online)
© Bioscientifica 2024 |
Privacy policy |
Cookie settings
BiosciAbstracts
Bioscientifica Abstracts is the gateway to a series of products that provide a permanent, citable record of abstracts for biomedical and life science conferences.
Find out more