title: Androgens in human evolution. A new explanation of human evolution.
abstract: Human evolution consists of chronological changes in gene regulation of a continuous and relatively stable genome, activated by hormones, the production of which is intermittently affected by endogenous and exogenous forces. Periodic variations in the gonadal androgen, testosterone, and the adrenal androgen, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), significantly participated in all hominid transformations. The hominid characteristics of early Australopithecines are primarily a result of increased testosterone. The first significant cold of the early Pleistocene resulted in an increase in DHEA that simultaneously produced Homo and the robust Australopithecines. Subsequent Pleistocene climatic changes and differential reproduction produced changes in DHEA and testosterone ratios that caused extinction of the robust Australopithecines and further changes and continuation of Homo. Changes in testosterone and DHEA produce allometric and behavioral changes that are identifiable and vigorous in modern populations.
authors.affiliation: jmhoward@sprynet.com
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Howard
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000728:Androgens / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D002648:Child; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D000882:Haplorhini; D015186:Hominidae; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D002679:Pan troglodytes; D011323:Primates; D012737:Sex Factors; D013739:Testosterone / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D013739:Testosterone; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D004958:Estradiol