Researchers say they have uncovered the evolutionary roots
of the female orgasm, reports The Guardian. Scientists have long been puzzled by the purpose of the
climactic sensation as it is not necessary for conception. Now, US researchers
say it might be a spin-off from our evolutionary past, when its hormonal surges
were crucial for reproduction.
"It is important to stress that it didn’t look like the
human female orgasm looks like now," said Mihaela Pavlicev, who helped
lead the study. "We think that [the hormonal surge] is the core that was
maybe modified further in humans."
In mammals such as cats and rabbits, the surges which occur
during sex play a vital role in signalling for eggs to be released from the
ovaries, while in other mammals, including humans, females ovulate
spontaneously.
However, by tracing these mechanisms of ovulation across
evolution, the scientists found that "male-induced ovulation"
predates spontaneous ovulation, which probably arose around 75 million years
ago. This means the human female orgasm could have its origin in a mechanism
for the release of eggs during sexual intercourse which then became redundant
with the evolution of spontaneous ovulation.
Pavlicev says it might have then taken on a new purpose.
"There is a lot of discussion about whether it could have any functions
like in bonding behaviour and things like that, so we cannot exclude that it
actually has co-opted some other function after it lost its function in
reproduction," she said
-theweek
No comments:
Post a Comment
All rights reserved. This material and any other material on this site may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, written or distributed in full or in part, without written permission from WISEMEN
<===============================================>
WISEMEN is highly honoured to have you as our esteemed reader.
You are encouraged to make comments to any post herein.
However, we shall not be responsible for use of foul language, it is against our professional ethics.
Help build a better Society!