Audio By Carbonatix
Brace yourselves for a low blow, tough guy. Nipples remind us that gender is anything but clear-cut, especially in utero. Whatever your sex, everyone starts off as a woman in the womb.
For the first several weeks a developing embryo follows a "female blueprint," from reproductive organs to nipples. Only after about 60 days does the hormone testosterone kick in (for those of us with a Y chromosome), changing the genetic activity of cells in the genitals and brain. But by then those mammary papillae aren't going anywhere.
So the real question is: why do male nipples come equipped with nerves and blood vessels? In many male mammals nipple formation is stunted by hormones, but not in humans. Did prehistoric men nurse their young? The lack of evidence suggests not. More likely, full-grown nipples—being harmless—don't get weeded out by natural selection.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Bristol University threatened with legal action after protest at academic’s talk
11 minutes -
US launches review of advanced Nvidia AI chip sales to China, sources say
25 minutes -
2 nurses, security guard arrested over alleged baby theft at Tamale hospital
36 minutes -
Elon Musk becomes first person worth $700 billion following pay package ruling
48 minutes -
Fussy eaters and TV remote hogs: How to avoid family rows over Christmas
60 minutes -
Singing at school shouldn’t just be for Christmas, teachers say
1 hour -
Pan-African Progressive Front Advances Reparatory Justice at Accra Diaspora Summit
1 hour -
Japan prepares to restart world’s biggest nuclear plant, 15 years after Fukushima
1 hour -
India express train kills seven elephants crossing tracks
2 hours -
TTU’s number-one ranking due to research commitment – Vice-Chancellor
2 hours -
US pursuing third oil tanker linked to Venezuela, official says
2 hours -
At least 13 photos removed from justice department Epstein files website
2 hours -
Margins sets example in Urban Renewal and Climate Resilience
2 hours -
Rights groups condemn new record number of executions in Saudi Arabia
2 hours -
Another 130 abducted schoolchildren released in Nigeria
2 hours
