The hypothalamus is a section of the brain responsible for the production of many of the body’s essential hormones and chemical substances that help control different cells and organs. The hormones from the hypothalamus govern physiologic functions such as temperature regulation, thirst, hunger, sleep, mood, sex drive, and the release of other hormones within the body. This area of the brain houses the pituitary gland and other glands in the body.
Although this portion of the brain is small in size, it is involved in many necessary processes of the body including behavioral, autonomic (involuntary or unconscious), and endocrine functions, such as metabolism and growth and development.
The hypothalamus’ primary function is homeostasis, which is to maintain the body’s status quo system-wide. Hypothalamic hormones include thyrotropin-releasing, gonadotropin-releasing, growth hormone-releasing, corticotrophin-releasing, somatostatin, and dopamine hormones. These hormones release into the blood via the capillaries (small vessels) and travel to the pituitary gland. Oxytocin and vasopressin are also hypothalamic hormones.
The hypothalamus uses a set-point to regulate the body’s systems, including electrolyte and fluid balance, body temperature, blood pressure, and body weight. It receives inputs from the body, then makes the proper changes if anything differentiates from this set-point. The set-point can temporarily change, but remains remarkably fixed from day-to-day.
The hypothalamus controls some of the basic functions of life including hormonal activity via the pituitary gland. There are several gender differences in the gland present between males and females. Some of the differences between male and female hypothalamus can be listed as:
- The volume of a specific nucleus in the hypothalamus (third cell group of the interstitial nuclei of the anterior hypothalamus) is twice as large in heterosexual men as in women and homosexual men
- In addition, the preoptic area that regulates mating behavior, is about 2.2 times larger in men than in women and contains 2 times more cells. This large size depends on the amount of male sex hormones or androgens. The difference in this area is only apparent after a child is 4 years old. In girls at 4 years of age there is a decrease in the number of cells in this nucleus.
- The shape of the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus, involved with circadian rhythms and reproduction cycles is different in men and women. In males, this nucleus is shaped like a sphere whereas in females it is more elongated. The volume is similar. The difference in shape may be due to different connections.
- In men, the hypothalamus has a higher number of androgen receptors (AR) than young adult women. There are differences in ARs in horizontal diagonal band of Broca, the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area, the medial preoptic area, the dorsal and ventral zone of the periventricular nucleus, the paraventricular nucleus, the supraoptic nucleus, the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus and the infundibular nucleus
- Males and females respond differently to ovarian steroids due to differences in estrogen receptor status.
- The mamillary body complex is known to receive input from the hippocampus by the fornix. It is involved in cognitive skills. This is different in the two sexes.
- The variances bring about several functional differences between males and females. For instance, males in most of the species of animals prefer the odor and appearance of females over males. If the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the hypothalamus is damaged, this preference for females by males diminishes.
Sources
http://www.benthamscience.com/open/toanatj/articles/V002/37TOANATJ.pdf
http://joe.endocrinology-journals.org/content/150/2/169.abstract
postcog.ucd.ie/…/…psychosexual%20identity%20in%20human%20males.pdf
faculty.bennington.edu/…/male%20to%20female%20trans-odors.pdf