Bogaert et al. (2018)+
What is the maternal immune response hypothesis?
The maternal immune response hypothesis posits that some mothers develop antibodies against specific proteins crucial in male brain development during pregnancy with male fetuses. These antibodies may alter the development of brain structures related to sexual orientation in subsequent male offspring.
What is microchimerism?
Microchimerism refers to the presence of a small number of cells or DNA from another individual within a person's body. In the context of pregnancy, it often refers to the presence of fetal cells or DNA in the mother's bloodstream.
What is a hemolytic disease?
Hemolytic disease is a condition where the immune system attacks and destroys red blood cells, often occurring in cases of Rh incompatibility between a mother and her fetus.
What is NLGN4Y?
NLGN4Y is a gene located on the Y chromosome that codes for neuroligin 4 Y-linked protein, which is important in synaptic functioning and believed to play a role in male fetal brain development.
What is an isoform?
An isoform is a variant form of a protein that is produced from the same gene but differs in amino acid sequence due to alternative splicing or other post-translational modifications.
What is an ELISA?
ELISA stands for Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. It is a laboratory technique used to detect the presence of specific antibodies or antigens in a sample by utilizing an enzyme-linked reaction.
What is a humoral response?
A humoral response refers to the immune response mediated by antibodies circulating in the bloodstream, as opposed to a cell-mediated response.
What is an epitope?
An epitope is the specific region on an antigen (such as a protein) that is recognized by antibodies or T cells, leading to an immune response.
What is a neurexin?
Neurexins are a family of proteins that are important in the formation of synapses, playing a role in cell-cell interactions in the brain.
What is NLGN4X?
NLGN4X is the X-linked homolog of NLGN4Y, and it shares structural and functional similarities with NLGN4Y. It is also implicated in neurological functioning and conditions such as autism.
What are plasma cells?
Plasma cells are a type of white blood cell that produces antibodies, playing a crucial role in the humoral immune response.
What are memory B cells?
Memory B cells are a type of immune cell that "remembers" previous encounters with specific antigens, allowing for a quicker and stronger immune response upon subsequent exposures.
Why did Bogaert et al. (2018) predict that mothers with gay sons would have a stronger immune response to NLGN4Y than mothers with no gay sons?
Bogaert et al. (2018) predicted that mothers with gay sons would have a stronger immune response to NLGN4Y than mothers with no gay sons because the maternal immune response hypothesis suggests that repeated exposure to Y-linked proteins during pregnancies with male fetuses may lead to the development of antibodies against these proteins, potentially altering brain development in subsequent male offspring.
What were the main results of this study?
The main results of the study showed that mothers, especially those of gay sons with older brothers, exhibited significantly higher levels of antibodies against NLGN4Y compared to control groups. This suggests an association between maternal immune response to NLGN4Y and the sexual orientation of male offspring.
Are the main findings of this study consistent with the maternal immune hypothesis? Why?.
Yes, the main findings of this study are consistent with the maternal immune hypothesis. The study provided evidence supporting the idea that maternal immune response to a protein important in male fetal brain development (NLGN4Y) is associated with variations in sexual orientation among male offspring. This suggests that maternal immune response could be one of the biological mechanisms influencing sexual orientation.