Partner Preference Research Articles

Female Mate Choice in Wild Kenyan Blue Monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis).

Female mate choice may drive sexual selection, but discerning whether female behaviors reflect free expression of choice or responses to constraints can be difficult. We investigated the efficacy of female choice in wild blue monkeys using 10 years of behavior and paternity data (N = 178 male-female dyads). Although blue monkeys live modally in one-male polygynous groups, where male-biased intersexual power is expected, females can access multiple potential mates during seasonal male influxes and occasional intergroup encounters. Additionally, extra-group males sire offspring. We examined female resistance rates to male-initiated sexual interactions, and unsolicited proceptive behavior that females directed to males (corrected for male availability). Females seldom resisted male solicitation, but initiated sexual interactions more than males. Females generally preferred residents. Those who preferred non-residents tended to have residents with longer tenures, but neither female parity nor rank influenced the tendency to prefer non-residents vs. residents. The male most solicited by a particular female fathered that female's infant 82% of the time; odds of siring were 26 times higher for most vs. nonpreferred males. Female preference predicted paternity even more strongly among non-resident males, with odds of siring 33 times higher for most vs. nonpreferred non-residents. Neither female rank nor parity influenced her likelihood of having her preferred partner as sire. Paternity by preferred males did not affect infant survival. While we cannot fully discount the effect of male-male competition on paternity, these results suggest that blue monkey females can exercise choice successfully, even in a polygynous mating system.

Racial preferences in dating apps: an experimental approach

ABSTRACT Dating apps can amplify the number and diversity of our potential dates while also enabling us to filter and choose people who are more similar to us. Homogamous preferences and rooted problems like sexual racism can lead users to maintain or even reify a racialized sexual hierarchy that privileges Whiteness. Whether dating apps help build a more racially diverse world or reinforce discrimination is an open question. This study contributes to this debate by analyzing the racial preferences of thousands of users of Tinder, one of the most popular dating apps worldwide. Through a field experiment that displays (otherwise equivalent) female and male Black and White profiles, we compared the choices of people looking for heterosexual and same-gender relationships. The results show that respondents in all groups favor White profiles. Even though previous research sustains that same-gender couples are less racially homogamous, this was not confirmed in this experiment. In fact, the most surprising finding is that the preference for White partners is relatively stronger for lesbian women. However, when predicting the likelihood of a profile being liked, gender and sexual orientation are far more decisive than race. These findings support the need for an intersectional approach toward race, sexual orientation, and gender and to keep studying the effects of dating app use on mating outcomes.

Understanding Women's Preferences for Prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission Services in Kenya.

Understanding the preferences of women living with HIV (WLH) for the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) services is important to ensure such services are person-centered. From April to December 2022, we surveyed pregnant and postpartum WLH enrolled at five health facilities in western Kenya to understand their preferences for PMTCT services. WLH were stratified based on the timing of HIV diagnosis: known HIV-positive (KHP; before antenatal clinic [ANC] enrollment), newly HIV-positive (NHP; on/after ANC enrollment). Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine associations between various service preferences and NHP (vs. KHP) status, controlling for age, facility, gravidity, retention status, and pregnancy status. Among 250 participants (median age 31 years, 31% NHP, 69% KHP), 93% preferred integrated versus non-integrated HIV and maternal-child health (MCH) services; 37% preferred male partners attend at least one ANC appointment (vs. no attendance/no preference); 54% preferred support groups (vs. no groups; 96% preferred facility - over community-based groups); and, preferences for groups was lower among NHP (42%) versus KHP (60%). NHP had lower odds of preferring support groups versus KHP (aOR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.82), but not the other services. Integrated services were highly preferred by WLH, supporting the current PMTCT service model in Kenya. Further research is needed to explore the implementation of facility-based support groups for WLH as well as the reasons underlying women's preferences.

Effects of Oxytocin Receptor Agonism on Acquisition and Expression of Pair Bonding in Male Prairie Voles.

There is much interest in targeting the activity in the oxytocin system to regulate social bonding. However, studies with exogenous administration of oxytocin face the caveats of its low stability, poor brain permeability and insufficient receptor specificity. The use of a small-molecule oxytocin receptor-specific agonist could overcome these caveats. Prior to testing the potential effects of a brain-penetrant oxytocin receptor agonist in clinical settings, it is important to assess how such an agonist would affect social bonds in animal models. The facultatively monogamous prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster), capable of forming long-term social attachments between adult individuals, are an ideal rodent model for such testing. Therefore, in a series of experiments we investigated the effects of the recently developed oxytocin receptor-specific agonist LIT-001 on the acquisition and expression of partner preference, a well-established model of pair bonding, in prairie voles. LIT-001 (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), as expected, facilitated the acquisition of partner preference when administered prior to a 4-hour cohabitation. In contrast, while animals injected with vehicle after the 4-hour cohabitation exhibited significant partner preference, animals that were injected with LIT-001 did not show such partner preference. This result suggests that OXTR activation during expression of pair bonding can inhibit partner preference. The difference in effects of LIT-001 on acquisition versus expression was not due to basal differences in partner preference between the experiments, as LIT-001 had no significant effects on expression of partner preference if administered following a shorter (2 hour-long) cohabitation. Instead, this difference agrees with the hypothesis that the activation of oxytocin receptors acts as a signal of presence of a social partner. Our results indicate that the effects of pharmacological activation of oxytocin receptors crucially depend on the phase of social attachments.

Experiments with a set of cooperative enrichment devices used by groups of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins

Dolphins in the wild cooperate to find food, gain and maintain access to mating partners, look after their young ones, or for the sheer joy of play. Under human care, environmental enrichments provide mental and physical stimulation and opportunities for the dolphins to practice their natural abilities. In this review, I focus on a set of enrichment devices we designed for cooperative problem-solving. They allowed the dolphins to utilize and improve their cognitive skills, leading to improved socialization within the group. While the devices provided appropriate challenges to the dolphins, they also allowed the investigation of the impact of demographic and social factors on the cooperative actions. We found that age and relatedness had no impact on cooperation; in turn, cooperation increased with group size. In addition, during the use of these cognitive enrichments, partner preference and intersexual differences were revealed in cooperative actions. The novel multi-partner devices were not only used by dolphin pairs but also by dolphin trios and quartets, providing evidence for group-level cooperation. In addition, a novel food-sharing device was used prosocially by dolphin pairs. Finally, the introduction of these cognitive enrichments leads to measurable short- and long-term welfare improvement. Thus, the use of these cognitive enrichments paired with systematic data collection bridged science with welfare. Future studies will investigate intersexual differences in independent groups, the emergence and function of cooperative interactions, and the socio-dynamics using cognitive enrichments.

Proximity tracking using ultra-wideband technology for equine social behaviour research

Sociopositive interactions with conspecifics are essential for equine welfare and quality of life. This study aimed to validate the use of wearable ultra-wideband (UWB) technology to quantify the spatial relationships and dynamics of social behaviour in horses by continuous (1/s) measurement of interindividual distances. After testing the UWB devices’ spatiotemporal accuracy in a static environment, the UWB measurement validity, feasibility and utility under dynamic field conditions was assessed in a group of 8 horses. Comparison of the proximity measurements with video surveillance data established the measurement accuracy and validity (r = 0.83, p < 0.0001) of the UWB technology. The utility for social behaviour research was demonstrated by the excellent accordance of affiliative relationships (preferred partners) identified using UWB with video observations. The horses remained a median of 5.82 m (95% CI 5.13–6.41 m) apart from each other and spent 20% (median, 95% CI 14–26%) of their time in a distance ≤ 3 m to their preferred partner. The proximity measurements and corresponding speed calculation allowed the identification of affiliative versus agonistic approaches based on differences in the approach speed and the distance and duration of the resulting proximity. Affiliative approaches were statistically significantly slower (median: 1.57 km/h, 95% CI 1.26–1.92 km/h, p = 0.0394) and resulted in greater proximity (median: 36.75 cm, 95% CI 19.5–62 cm, p = 0.0003) to the approached horse than agonistic approaches (median: 3.04 km/h, 95% CI 2.16–3.74 km/h, median proximity: 243 cm, 95% CI 130–319 cm), which caused an immediate retreat of the approached horse at a significantly greater speed (median: 3.77 km/h, 95% CI 3.52–5.85 km/h, p < 0.0001) than the approach.

From pragmatism to passion: changing partner preferences in Dutch matrimonial and contact advertisements, 1841–1995

ABSTRACT This article explores the evolution of partner preferences in the Dutch mating market from 1841 to 1995, focusing on the rise of the cultural ideal of love-based partner selection. The study examines two hypotheses related to partner selection in modernization theory: the romantic-love hypothesis and the status-attainment hypothesis. These hypotheses are tested with descriptive and multivariate analysis using a database on matrimonial and contact advertisements. The study shows that the transition from instrumental to romantic partner choice was a gradual process, that in the Netherlands only gained momentum in the latter half of the twentieth century coinciding with processes of individualisation and the rise of the welfare state, a century later than earlier literature suggests. First instrumental preferences declined, then romantic preferences grew in importance. Furthermore, while the status-attainment hypothesis predicts an increase in educational preferences over time, the growth was slower and later than expected. These findings challenge both the romantic-love and status-attainment hypotheses and suggest an adjusted combined hypothesis. The study also highlights the role of social status and gender in partner preferences. Advertisers from higher social classes were more likely to express romantic preferences, indicating that wealthier individuals were earlier on inclined to turn love into the cornerstone of their relationships. Women exhibited a stronger emphasis on social status and educational level than men, highlighting gender role ideas of the time with women’s financial dependence guiding their preferences for a partner that could provide for them and their children. Moreover, the research demonstrates that religion and civil status did not significantly influence the internalization of love-based partner choice. The article concludes by emphasizing the significance of matrimonial and contact advertisements as valuable sources for comprehending the quest for a partner in the past and suggests potential avenues for future research based on these advertisements.

People with Neuro-motor Impairment, Lack of Speech, and General Passivity Can Engage in Basic Forms of Activity and Communication with Technology Support

Abstract Objectives People with neuro-motor impairment, lack of speech and general passivity live in a marginalized and isolating condition. This study used a technology-aided program to help three of these people achieve basic activity (i.e., accessing music videos and listening to stories and/or answering questions) and communication (i.e., video calling or sending messages to preferred partners). Methods The study was carried out according to a non-concurrent multiple baseline design across participants. During the intervention, the participants were provided with the technology system that entailed a tablet and two touch or two optic sensors. Within each session, the tablet presented the participants with choice periods (i.e., periods in which they could choose between music videos and communication with distant partners) interspersed with stories plus questions or questions periods. Results During the baseline (without the technology system), the participants were not able to make choices (failing to access music videos or communication events) or to answer questions. During the intervention sessions, all participants used the technology successfully to access music videos and communication events and to answer questions independently. Conclusions The results suggest that simple technology can be adapted to help people like the participants of this study achieve basic forms of functional activity and communication.

Have a Woman’s Heart but a Man’s Face: Perceptions of Gay Relationships in Greek Gay Men

AbstractIn this qualitative study, we build upon the findings of previous research by investigating the perceptions and attitudes of 10 self-identified gay men in Greece, toward gay relationships, the influence of Greek society upon them, masculinity, partner preferences, and self-disclosure. A critical thematic analysis of the semi-structured interviews revealed that most participants held negative views regarding same-sex relationships among gay men possibly due to internalizing the homonegativity of Greek society which was consistently acknowledged. They further expressed preference for masculine partners and tended to avoid feminine gay men, preferring to befriend them rather than pursue a romantic relationship with them. Although many participants described masculine gay men as reserved, distant, and emotionally restricted, they still preferred them as partners. Furthermore, most participants expressed negative opinions about self-disclosure, possibly due to the identity confusion caused by the rejection for their sexual orientation Greek social environment. Similarly, when it came to LGBTIQ + rights activism, participants were opposed, contending that it caused more confusion and discord within the younger generation of gays rather than fostered positive change. This research makes a unique contribution by presenting a realistic account of gay men’s contradicting views of their selfhood, a disbelief in gay relationships, an outright preference for masculinity in partnerships, a disdain for gay rights activism, and fear of self-disclosure. These perceptions and attitudes appear to be due to the long history of societal marginalization and rejection and may be subject to change as Greece moves toward a more accepting environment for LGBTIQ + rights.

Tickle fetishism: pleasure beyond playfulness.

Tickling is commonly perceived as juvenile play associated with laughter. However, its potential connection to adult sexual behavior has largely remained unexplored. Our online survey, primarily distributed among individuals interested in tickle fetishism, explored tickling and its association with sexual behavior. Ticklishness types, tools, preferred body parts, and partner preferences, were examined. Results revealed diverse patterns of ticklishness changes over time and distinct body-part preferences for different types of tickling. Childhood experiences and exposure to tickling content in television were found to shape individuals' affinity for tickle fetishism. A quarter of respondents reported experiencing orgasms exclusively from tickling, while around 88% expressed sexual satisfaction through tickling alone, indicating its sufficiency as a sexual stimulus among fetishists. Tickling desire decreased after orgasm, indicating an association between tickling and sexual activity. Moreover, ticklishness degree predicted preferences for being tickled rather than tickling others. Exploratory factor analysis identified three factors underlying tickling and sexual experiences: enjoyment and frequency of tickling during sexual activity; preference for intense sexual experiences; age of becoming sexually active. In conclusion, this study provides unique insights into tickling and its connections to sexual context, enhancing our understanding of diverse human sexual behavior and tickle fetishism as a distinct preference.

The influence of tree genus, phylogeny, and richness on the specificity, rarity, and diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi.

Partner specificity is a well-documented phenomenon in biotic interactions, yet the factors that determine specificity in plant-fungal associations remain largely unknown. By utilizing composite soil samples, we identified the predictors that drive partner specificity in both plants and fungi, with a particular focus on ectomycorrhizal associations. Fungal guilds exhibited significant differences in overall partner preference and avoidance, richness, and specificity to specific tree genera. The highest level of specificity was observed in root endophytic and ectomycorrhizal associations, while the lowest was found in arbuscular mycorrhizal associations. The majority of ectomycorrhizal fungal species showed a preference for one of their partner trees, primarily at the plant genus level. Specialist ectomycorrhizal fungi were dominant in belowground communities in terms of species richness and relative abundance. Moreover, all tree genera (and occasionally species) demonstrated a preference for certain fungal groups. Partner specificity was not related to the rarity of fungi or plants or environmental conditions, except for soil pH. Depending on the partner tree genus, specific fungi became more prevalent and relatively more abundant with increasing stand age, tree dominance, and soil pH conditions optimal for the partner tree genus. The richness of partner tree species and increased evenness of ectomycorrhizal fungi in multi-host communities enhanced the species richness of ectomycorrhizal fungi. However, it was primarily the partner-generalist fungi that contributed to the high diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi in mixed forests.

Abstract 4525: Discovery of a highly potent and selective PARP1 inhibitor with superior PK and safety profiles

Abstract PARP inhibitors have been an effective treatment option for cancers deficient in homologous recombination repair, such as ovarian, breast, prostate, and pancreatic cancers, particularly those harboring BRCA mutations. However, their severe overlapping hematological and gastrointestinal toxicities have limited their clinical use, especially in the combination therapies with other anti-cancer agents. More recently, studies have shown that inhibiting PARP1 mainly drives anti-tumor activity while inhibiting PARP2 contributes to the hematological toxicity such as anemia due to its essential role in the survival of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Thus, there is an urgent need for developing a selective PARP1 inhibitor. In this study, we report the discovery and characterization of a unique PARP1 inhibitor, ACE-86225106. This molecule is highly selective at inhibiting PARP1 over PARP2 as demonstrated in biochemical (72x) and DNA-trapping (131x) assays. It demonstrates potent anti-proliferative activities against BRCA mutant cancer cell lines (IC50 = 1-9 nM) but not against BRCA wild type cancer cells (IC50 &amp;gt;30,000 nM). As compared to the BRCA mutant cancer cells, this molecule is much less active at inhibiting the differentiation of CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells (IC50 ≈ 450-1,400 nM), i.e.: erythroid, myeloid and megakaryocyte. The results of these studies show that ACE-86225106 is a highly potent and selective PARP1 inhibitor. This molecule has a unique PK profile characterized by its long half-life and low volume of distribution. As such, it demonstrates robust efficacy at low dose (1 mg/kg) with a less frequent dosing schedule (once a week). Importantly, there was no significant body weight loss observed in the treatment group even at much higher doses (10 mg/kg), but there was a significant body weight gain. The GLP toxicology studies have confirmed its superior safety profile as the maximum recommended safe starting first-in-human dose was &amp;gt;5-fold higher than the predicted human efficacious dose. Taken together, ACE-86225106 is a highly potent, selective PARP1 inhibitor with excellent PK and safety profile and expected to have a better safety profile, deeper and more durable clinical responses, and broader utility in the clinic as a preferred combination partner with other anti-cancer therapies. A phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate its safety, PK, and clinical utility is to begin in early 2024. Citation Format: Yi Wei, Wenming Li, Zehui Li, Manhua Li, Kai Kang, Zhiming Wen, Tinggui Yin, Kuo-Long Yu, Genshi Zhao, Hongbin Yuan. Discovery of a highly potent and selective PARP1 inhibitor with superior PK and safety profiles [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 4525.

Abstract 1669: KRAS G12X mutants display differential preferences in downstream effector binding

Abstract KRAS is among the most frequently mutated oncogenic driver proteins in human cancers including lung, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers. Activating KRAS mutants cause increased cell proliferation through direct binding and overactivation of effector proteins. Effector activation preference is driver mutation specific, as KRAS G12D and G12C purportedly bind both RAF and PI3K, whereas G12R has been reported to bind RAF but not PI3K. The mechanisms of effector binding of G12S action are under-investigated. Furthermore, most KRAS mutations remain clinically untreatable, as clinically approved KRAS inhibitors (KRASi) are currently limited to specifically targeting G12C. While experimental non-G12C inhibitors are being developed, resistance mechanisms to non-G12C mutations—including G12D/R/S/V—remain relatively understudied. We set out to characterize the binding efficiency of KRAS to RAF1 and the PI3K subunit p110α, and to understand how isoforms differ in inhibitor resistance strategies. Our findings suggest that significant variances in KRAS mutation-specific effector binding preference exist and are cell line dependent. We performed proximity ligation based immunofluorescence assays (PLA) on an isogenic panel of human colorectal SW48 KRAS cells with G12C/D/R/S/V or wildtype. SW48 cells with G12S significantly prefer the KRAS-RAF1 mode of binding over otherwise isogenic WT cells, and G12V homologs prefer PI3K. Our findings suggest that in this model, G12R cells have no specific preference of one binding mode over the other. We hypothesize that G12 chemistry drives effector binding preference and that G12X inhibitor resistant cell cultures will demonstrate variant mechanisms of resistance in line with their preferred binding partner. Ongoing studies will further characterize understudied RAS isoform biology and evaluate the links between isoform chemistry and mechanisms of inhibitor resistance. These studies will expand our mechanistic knowledge of the interplay between G12X chemistry and adaptive resistance in human cancer. Citation Format: Leonard J. Ash, Ottavia Bourdain, Dennis Lam, Shlomo S. Pallas, Andrew L. Wolfe. KRAS G12X mutants display differential preferences in downstream effector binding [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 1669.

Abstract 5703: Development of RVL-101, a CDK4/6-selective, small molecule inhibitor with superior CNS penetration and combinability potential for the effective treatment of primary and metastatic brain tumors

Abstract Cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) are key regulators of the cell cycle that are frequently dysregulated in cancer, leading to unchecked cell growth. CDK4/6 inhibitors have emerged as a promising class of anticancer agents that selectively target this pathway. The primary mode of action of CDK4/6 inhibitors relies on the disruption of retinoblastoma (Rb) protein phosphorylation, which thereby blocks cell cycle progression from G1 to S phase and reduces proliferation of cancer cells by a cytostatic mechanism. However, despite their efficacy, approved and clinical-stage CDK4/6 inhibitors have modest penetration of unbound drug into the brain, limiting their utility in the treatment of brain metastases and primary brain tumors. Additionally, despite the potential benefits of CDK4/6 inhibitors as combination therapies with cytotoxic agents, adjunctive treatment options remain underexplored due to the poor safety profiles of existing therapies. RVL-101 is a preclinical, investigational drug with a novel pharmacophore that has a low nanomolar activity against CDK4, is CDK2,6,7,9-sparing, and maintains &amp;gt;500-fold selectivity over CDK1. To maximize the potential of RVL-101 as a preferred combination partner, this novel agent has been engineered to have exquisite kinome- and safety-panel selectivity with no measured CYP inhibition or induction liabilities. RVL-101 is differentiated from approved and clinical stage CDK4/6 inhibitors having both high partitioning into the brain (Kp) and high free-brain (Kpu,u = 0.7) levels resulting in equal levels of unbound drug in all relevant compartments at steady state. Like other CDK4/6 agents, RVL-101 is broadly efficacious in vivo in ER+/HER2- xenograft models at well-tolerated doses. However, RVL-101 has also demonstrated robust activity in HR-/HER2+ xenograft models as a single-agent and has uniquely shown improved tumor inhibition effect in combination with approved HER2 cytotoxic therapeutics tucatinib and fam-trastuzumab-deruxtecan. RVL-101 was also tested in a GBM model as a monotherapy and in conjunction with the cytotoxic agent temozolomide (TMZ). Remarkably, QD dosing of the cytostatic agent, RVL-101, after pulsatile pretreatment with TMZ led to dramatic synergistic efficacy compared to either agent alone, leading to 100% survival of all animals on the dual therapy arm for more than 3 weeks post discontinuation of dosing. RVL-101 offers the combination of substantial therapeutic benefit and consistent free-drug levels in plasma and CNS that could lead to safe and effective treatment for a broader patient population. Citation Format: John E. Campbell, Bo-Sheng Pan, Michael Bower, Peter Bertinato, Nisha Perez, Victoria Gras Andreu, Neha Rana, Sophia Tabchouri, Ankit Gupta, Jonah Kallenbach. Development of RVL-101, a CDK4/6-selective, small molecule inhibitor with superior CNS penetration and combinability potential for the effective treatment of primary and metastatic brain tumors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 5703.

The role of academic performance, prosocial behaviour and friendships on adolescents' preferred studying partners: A longitudinal social network analysis.

Peers constitute an important developmental context for adolescent academic behaviour providing support and resources to either promote or discourage attitudes and behaviours that contribute to school success. When looking for academic help, students may prefer specific partners based on their social goals regarding academic performance. Based on the social goals for wanting to achieve academically (e.g., studying to be with friends, increasing/maintaining their own social status), we examine the extent to which adolescents' selection of preferred academic partners (with whom they would like to study) is driven by peers' academic performance, prosocial behaviour and friendships. Moreover, as high-achieving students play an important role in academic settings, whether they are more likely to prefer to study with similar high-achieving peers and friends was examined. A total of 537 seventh-grade students from 13 classes over three waves. Longitudinal social network analyses (RSiena). Adolescents were more likely to select high achievers, friends and prosocial peers as preferred academic partners. Furthermore, high achievers were more likely to choose other high achievers and friends as preferred academic partners. Adolescents are likely to prefer as study partners someone they can learn from and who is more approachable, cooperative and friendly. Regarding high achievers, they would choose not only academic partners with similar academic interests and motivations to help them boost their academic achievement but also classmates with whom they like to spend time and share personal issues.

Combined estrogen-progestin oral contraceptives and female sexuality: an updated review.

Sexual side effects of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) have not been fully understood, but increasing evidence prompts broader risk/benefit evaluation and merits inclusion in counseling on contraceptive options. The study sought to explore the impact of combined estrogens-progestin oral contraceptives on components of female sexuality, including sexual desire, anatomic genitourinary changes, lubrication, orgasm, provoked vestibulodynia, well-being, body image, partner preference, and relationship stability. A literature review was performed between April 2023 and January 2024 exploring the association between combined oral contraceptive pills and sexual health. Although COCs decrease free testosterone, it is unclear if COCs affect sexual function, including desire. Antiandrogenic COCs do seem to have a negative effect on sexual arousal, lubrication, and orgasm. Provoked vestibulodynia may be related to early onset of COC use, low-estrogen pills, and antiandrogenic progestins. Emotional and sexual side effects are strong predictors of COC discontinuation. Longitudinal data indicate that using COCs when meeting and selecting a partner has implications on sexual satisfaction and relationship length. Analysis of data is complicated by various doses and forms of estrogen and progestin in COCs, which have changed over time. Lack of randomized placebo-controlled studies and heterogenicity in study design hampers generalized statements about the effects of COCs on sexual function. Despite these challenges, consideration of sexual dysfunction when presenting and prescribing hormonal contraception is essential for informed consent, shared decision making, and ensuring reliable contraceptive choices.

Social network shrinking is explained by active and passive effects but not increasing selectivity with age in wild macaques.

Evidence of social disengagement, network narrowing and social selectivity with advancing age in several non-human animals challenges our understanding of the causes of social ageing. Natural animal populations are needed to test whether social ageing and selectivity occur under natural predation and extrinsic mortality pressures, and longitudinal studies are particularly valuable to disentangle the contribution of within-individual ageing from the demographic processes that shape social ageing at the population level. Data on wild Assamese macaques (Macaca assamensis) were collected between 2013 and 2020 at the Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand. We investigated the social behaviour of 61 adult females observed for 13 270 h to test several mechanistic hypotheses of social ageing and evaluated the consistency between patterns from mixed-longitudinal and within-individual analyses. With advancing age, females reduced the size of their social network, which could not be explained by an overall increase in the time spent alone, but by an age-related decline in mostly active, but also passive, behaviour, best demonstrated by within-individual analyses. A selective tendency to approach preferred partners was maintained into old age but did not increase. Our results contribute to our understanding of the driver of social ageing in natural animal populations and suggest that social disengagement and selectivity follow independent trajectories during ageing.

Chronic MK-801 administration provokes persistent deficits in social memory in the prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster): A potential animal model for social deficits of schizophrenia

The prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) is a rodent species that has been used extensively to study biological aspects of human social bonding. Nevertheless, this species has not been studied in the context of modeling social deficits characteristic of schizophrenia. Building on studies in rodents that show that sub-chronic administration of an NMDA receptor antagonist induces persistent behavioral and neurological characteristics of schizophrenia, we administered MK-801 (0.2 mg/kg, daily, for 7 days) or physiological saline to young adult (45 days old) virgin male voles. At 69 days of age, we paired these males with virgin females. 24 h later, we assessed the males’ social investigation of each female across the first 5 min of a three-hour preference test, and side-by-side contact with each female during the last hour of the test. Unlike saline-treated males, MK-801-treated males did not preferentially investigate the unfamiliar female, indicating a deficit in social memory. Although males of both groups preferentially spent time with their female partner, regression analysis revealed that deficits in social memory predicted lower partner preference in MK-801-treated males. We interpret these results in the context of recent studies of the natural history of the prairie vole as well as in the context of cognitive deficits in schizophrenia and propose that the social component of episodic memory might influence an individual’s capacity to form and maintain long-term social bonds.

Wanted: marriage partner! Partner preferences in newspaper contact adverts in the Netherlands, 1900-1955

ABSTRACT This study examines romantic and instrumental partner preferences in contact adverts from two Dutch newspapers, the Arnhemsche Courant (N = 283) and the Provinciale Drentsche en Asser Courant (N = 231) between 1900 and 1955. With the spread of the newspaper, contact adverts became a new meeting place. By means of short messages, people could make known that they were looking for a partner to get acquainted or even to marry and describe how their desired person should look like. By analysing how advertisers described themselves and their sought-after partners, insights into the motivations behind partner choice were gained. We identified a number of terms in the ads that could indicate romantic partner preferences, such as age homogamy, openness to regional or social heterogamy, and preferences indicating attraction, personality, and appearance. Similarly, instrumental partner preferences could be gathered from phrases expressing social homogamy (marrying into one’s own social class), parental influences, and the importance of wealth or possessions. The results show that romantic and instrumental considerations in partner preferences co-existed, but that their relative occurrence changed over time. Moreover, differential considerations in partner preference existed according to region, urban or rural residence, social class, religion, and gender. For instance, women’s partner preferences were more instrumental than those of men, while urban women were more likely to place contact adverts than rural women. Widows, widowers, and the divorced more often expressed romantic rather than instrumental partner preferences compared to unmarried men and women.

What Do Different People Look for in a Partner? Effects of Sex, Sexual Orientation, and Mating Strategies on Partner Preferences.

Partner preferences are an important differential in relationship formation and evolutionary fitness, and vary according to individual, ecological, and social factors. In this study, we evaluated the variation in preference for intelligence, kindness, physical attractiveness, health, and socioeconomic level among individuals of different sexes and sexual orientations in a Brazilian sample. We analyzed the preference scores of 778 heterosexual, bisexual, and homosexual men and women in three budgeted mate design tasks (low vs. medium vs. high budget) and their association with sociosexuality, attachment styles, homogamy, and willingness to engage in short- and long-term relationships. Results indicated a global trait preference order, with intelligence ranking first, followed by kindness, physical attractiveness, health, and lastly by socioeconomic status. Typical sex differences were observed mostly within the heterosexual group, and specific combinations of sex and sexual orientation were linked to variation in preference for physical attractiveness, kindness, and socioeconomic status. We also found unique associations of the other variables with partner preferences and with willingness to engage in short- or long-term relationships. By exploring the partner preferences of non-heterosexual individuals from a Latin American country, an underrepresented group in evolutionary psychology research, our results help understand the universal and specific factors that guide partner preferences and human sexual behavior.