Gender-typed play and amniotic testosterone

Dev Psychol. 2005 May;41(3):517-28. doi: 10.1037/0012-1649.41.3.517.

Abstract

Sex differences in play are apparent in a number of mammalian species, including humans. Prenatal testosterone may contribute to these differences. The authors report the first attempt to correlate gender-typed play in a normative sample of humans with measurements of amniotic testosterone (aT). Testosterone was measured in the amniotic fluid of 53 children (31 boys and 22 girls). A strong sex difference was observed in aT and, at ages 4.75 to 5.8 years, on a modified version of the Child Game Participation Questionnaire. Hierarchical regression analyses on the entire group and within-sex correlations suggested that variations in aT did not contribute to individual differences in game participation as reported by the mother. A critique of explanations for this finding is presented.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amniocentesis / methods
  • Amniotic Fluid / metabolism*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Play and Playthings*
  • Sexual Behavior*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Testosterone / metabolism*

Substances

  • Testosterone