Neurobehavioral effects of prenatal origin: sex hormones.

Available studies on effects of prenatal progestogens on sex-dimorphic behavior confirm animal research-based theory regarding role of prenatal hormone effects in psychosexual differentiation. Empirical data suggests masculinizing brain effects of androgen-derived progestogens, anti-androgen effects of progesterone and related compounds and of progestogen-estrogen combinations (in males only). The role of prenatal androgen-derived progestogens has been established, particularly when related with previous studies on patients with hyperandrogenizing endocrine conditions. The anti-androgenic action of prenatal progesterone and related compound has not been definitely established, nor has the effect of prenatal exogenous hormones on development of gender identity been shown in 3 studies which included this aspect of psychosexual differentiation. None of the behavioral studies reviewed here showed any noteworthy psychopathologic side-effects of progestogen and estrogen treatment during pregnancy in the offspring. Although the data reviewed here are not conclusive enough to confirm the psychoendocrine theory of psychosexual differentiation, the evidence is too suggestive not to warrant a more decisive empirical evidence.