Reactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis to social stimuli

Contact:  Katrin Linnig

Sex hormones, in addition to their primary function in regulating the reproductive system, also interact with our behavior, thinking, and cognition. This relationship has largely been considered in previous research from the perspective of how our hormone balance affects our behavior. The goal of this research project is to examine the inverse relationship, that is, what effect our behavior and experience has on the activity of the HPG axis and thus the release of sex hormones. To investigate this, salivary concentrations of testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone will be measured in response to various psychosocial stimuli or interactive situations in men and women with regular menstrual cycles.