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I have been reading about the pituitary quite extensively and I was really surprised to find that there is actually a hormone secreted by the pituitary called vasopressin which some researchers believe is the main reason behind why some males are monogamous or promiscuous. Higher levels of vasopressin lead to monogamy, jealousy, and fewer sexual partners while lower levels lead to promiscuity. Another hormone, oxytocin, is believed to stimulate trust between sexual partners.
In an experiment with prairie voles (Yes, not human, but come on, bear with me), the injection led to an increase in monogamy in the low vasopressin adults.
So is it reasonable to assume that someone with panhypopituitarism will probably be a cheater and trust no one? What if someone has high oxytocin and low vasopressin? Will they be extremely trustworthy of their partner and just cheat on everyone? Even worse, what if someone has high vasopressin and low oxytocin? They wouldn’t trust their partner yet would refuse to cheat on them and become extremely jealous.
Interestingly enough, I think that this parallels the theory behind the sexy son theory in which the female will prefer aggressive high testosterone males during ovulation and lower testosterone males during her menstrual cycle. Or basically, women will prefer males with desirable characteristics in their offspring that will encourage their survival such as aggressiveness, strength, and overall health yet will prefer a male with good caretaking skills as their spouse. In a nutshell, they “get their cake and eat it too”.
I don’t know how many people in here read about evolutionary biology but this stuff is fascinating.
That being said, how do I suppress my vasopressin??? 😎
@avast322 1382 wrote:
That being said, how do I suppress my vasopressin??? 😎
Drinking adequate water reduces vasopressin.
Vasopressin is also known as Antidiuretic Hormone.
It’s primary function is to regulate the body’s water content by causing the kidneys to retain fluid and decrease urine excretion. Secondarily, it constricts blood vessels to increases blood pressure.
In the nervous system, it may have roles in memory, stress response, aggression, and social bonding (being released during sex).
Many factors increase Vasopressin secretion including: dehydration, low blood pressure, stress, increased renin/angiotensin II, increases blood osmolarity, hemorrhage, etc.
A deficiency in Vasopressin causes Diabetes Insipidus. Symptoms and signs include excessive urination (day and night), extreme thirst, and dehydration.
Desmopressin (DDAVP) is an artificial, long-acting, version of Vasopressin. In psychiatry, it is most often used to stop bed-wetting.
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