The examine revealed that publicity to daylight impacts the regulation of the endocrine system accountable for the discharge of sexual hormones in people.
‘The skin contains various mechanisms for dealing with radiation from sunlight, and one of these is the p53 protein, where it regulates the level of DNA damage. Sunlight increases testosterone levels in men, and plays a major role in both the behavioral and hormonal regulation of sexuality.’
The examine was led by PhD pupil Roma Parikh and Ashchar Sorek from the laboratory of Prof. Carmit Levy on the Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry on the Sackler Faculty of Medicine.
UVB phototherapy was administered to the topics on the Tel Aviv Sourasky (Ichilov) and Assuta Medical Centers. The groundbreaking discovery was printed as a canopy story within the prestigious scientific journal Cell Reports.
Prof. Levy explains: “It has been known for many years now that ultraviolet radiation from sunlight increases testosterone levels in males, and we also know that sunlight plays a major role in both the behavioral and hormonal regulation of sexuality. However, the mechanism responsible for this regulation remained unknown. Our study enabled a better understanding of this mechanism.”
The examine started in an animal mannequin, exposing the animals to UVB – sunrays at wavelengths of 320-400 nanometers. The impact was dramatic: females’ hormone ranges rose considerably, enlarging their ovaries and prolonging their rut season; the attraction between men and women elevated; and each had been extra prepared to have interaction in sexual activity.
In the second stage, the researchers repeated the experiment within the animal mannequin, this time eradicating from the pores and skin a protein known as p53, which identifies DNA harm and prompts pigmentation throughout publicity to daylight, as safety in opposition to its hostile results.
The elimination of p53 eradicated the impact of UVB publicity on the animals’ sexual conduct, convincing Prof. Levy and her colleagues that publicity to radiation by way of the pores and skin was the reason for the noticed hormonal, physiological and behavioral modifications, and that the protecting system can also be accountable for the regulation of sexuality.
The final stage of the examine included 32 human topics, who crammed out validated questionnaires on behaviors of romantic ardour and aggression. Treated with UVB phototherapy on the Tel Aviv Sourasky (Ichilov) and Assuta Medical Centers, each genders exhibited an increase in romantic ardour, and males additionally famous a rise in ranges of aggression.
Similar outcomes had been discovered when the topics had been requested to keep away from daylight for 2 days, after which tan themselves for roughly 25 minutes.
Blood checks revealed that publicity to daylight resulted in the next launch of hormones like testosterone in comparison with one day earlier than publicity. An increase in testosterone in males throughout the summer time was additionally present in analyses of information from the Clalit and Maccabi Health Services.
Prof. Levy: “The skin contains various mechanisms for dealing with radiation from sunlight, and one of these is the p53 protein. We must remember that exposure to UV is dangerous, and can damage the DNA, as in the case of skin cancer.
At the same time, two built-in programs in the skin, activated following exposure to sunlight, are in place to protect against DNA damage: the DNA repair system and pigmentation, namely the suntan, based on degree of exposure. By activating both systems, the p53 protein regulates the level of DNA damage. In our study we found that the same system also activates the endocrine system of sexuality and potentially breeding. “
In the long run this new discovery from TAU could result in sensible purposes, corresponding to UVB remedies for sexual hormone problems. However, extra analysis continues to be required earlier than this may be achieved. According to Prof. Levy, the breakthrough may even result in additional discoveries in primary science.
“Our findings open many scientific and philosophical questions. As humans, we have no fur, and our skin is thus directly exposed to sunlight. We are only beginning to understand what this exposure does to us, and the key roles it might play in various physiological and behavioral processes. It’s only the tip of the iceberg.”
Source: Eurekalert
