Skin exposure to UVB light induces skin-brain-gonadal axis and sexual behavior

DOI: https : //doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109579

Commentary

Ultraviolet (UV) light has been hypothesized to influence the endocrinological and behavioral aspects of sexuality through unknown mechanisms.

This study found that ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure increases levels of skin-mediated sex steroid hormones and sexual behavior.

In the study, UVB exposure to female mice increased hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis hormone levels, enlarged ovaries, and prolonged the estrus date.

This phenomenon led to increased expression of anti-Müllerian duct hormone (AMH), and UVB exposure enhanced female sexual response and attraction, and male-female interaction. Conditional knockout of p53, especially in skin keratinocytes, abrogates the effects of UVB.

Thus, UVB has been shown to trigger the skin-brain-gonadal axis through activation of p53 in the skin.

Translating these results to humans, exposure to sunlight was shown to increase romantic passion in the sexes and aggression in men, and was positively correlated with testosterone levels as seen in the analysis of individual questions.

The findings suggest an opportunity for the treatment of sex steroid-related dysfunctions.