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September 14, 2007

Brain response to hormones differs between lesbians and straight women

New research reveals that the brains of lesbians and heterosexual women react differently to sex hormones, adding to the argument that homosexuality is an innate trait rather than learned behavior.

Swedish researchers found that lesbians' and heterosexual men's brains reacted similarly when stimulated with certain hormones, the Associated Press reports.

Volunteers sniffed pheromones, derived from male and female sex hormones, which are known to trigger specific responses in animals.

Lesbians and straight men favored the female pheromone. As noted in a study released by the same group last year, gay men and straight women were more attracted to male-oriented pheromones. Hormonal reactions from straight women and gay men showed a higher correlation than straight men and lesbians. (The Advocate)

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