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The many faces of progesterone: A role in adult and developing male brain

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

90 Scopus citations

Abstract

In addition to its well documented action in female-typical behaviors, progesterone exerts an influence on the brain and behavior of males. This review will discuss the role of progesterone and its receptor in male-typical reproductive behaviors in adulthood and the role of progesterone and its receptor in neural development, in both sexual differentiation of the brain as well as in the development of "non-reproductive" functions. The seemingly inconsistent and contradictory results on progesterone in males that exist in the literature illustrate the complexity of progesterone's actions and illuminate the need for further research in this area. As progestin-containing contraceptives in men are currently being tested and progesterone administration to pregnant women and premature newborns increases, a better understanding of the role of this hormone in behavior and brain development becomes essential.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)340-359
Number of pages20
JournalFrontiers in Neuroendocrinology
Volume27
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2006

Keywords

  • Cortex
  • Human
  • PRKO
  • Progesterone
  • Progesterone receptor
  • Sex differences
  • Sexual behavior
  • Sexual differentiation

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