Women who postpone parenthood have genetic mutation linked to later menstruation

Until now, human reproductive behavior was thought to be mainly linked to personal choices or social circumstances and environmental factors. However, the new study shows that genetic variants can be isolated and that there is also a biological basis for reproductive behavior.

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“[W]e found that women with DNA variants for postponing parenthood also have bits of DNA code associated with later onset of menstruation and later menopause,” [said study lead author Prof. Melinda Mills, from the University of Oxford’s Department of Sociology and Nuffield College.]

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The research shows that DNA variants linked with the age at first birth are also associated with…the age at which girls have their first period, when the voice breaks in boys, and at what stage women experience their menopause.

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“Our genes do not determine our behavior, but for the first time, we have identified parts of the DNA code that influence it,” said study co-author Nicola Barban, also from the University of Oxford’s Department of Sociology and Nuffield College.

The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion, and analysis. Read full, original post: Ten New Genetic Regions Linked to Human Reproductive Behavior