LE3 .A278 2006

2006

Snyder, Marlene

Acadia University

Bachelor of Science

Honours

Biology

Biology

Most mammalian females engage in sexual activity during distinct periods of receptivity termed estrus, which coincides with the period of fertility. Sexual activity in human females, however, is characterized by the absence of specific times of receptivity or proceptivity, and by the lack of advertised fertility (via either behavioural or physical cues), which is dubbed “concealed ovulation”. Although strikingly rare, concealed ovulation is not confined to human females, yet there has been little investigation of its occurrence in other organisms. An examination of the literature has revealed several prominent theories hypothesizing the adaptive value of this phenomenon in humans: a strategy to obtain parental care, prevention of infanticide by reducing male-male competition, female avoidance of copulation during estrus to evade pain and death associated with child-birth, increasing cuckoldry of males after established monogamy, female acquisition of meat from successful male hunters, psychological self-deception, preference for prolonged paternal investment over mate quality, increased paternal care, and the result of structural and functional changes related to bipedalism. Interest in concealed ovulation has generated a wealth of research about such diverse topics as primate mating systems, human pheromones, women’s perceptions of their time of fertility, menstrual synchrony, and coital frequencies. To date, consensus regarding the evolutionary origins of concealed ovulation as well as its role in human sexual adaptation continues to be contested. Avenues for future research include obtaining more extensive data on primate reproductive cycles and behaviour, providing a more complete phylogenetic understanding of concealed ovulation, and a meta-analysis of literature ix suggesting possible cues indicating maximum fertility in humans, which would facilitate examination of the validity of the research available.

The author retains copyright in this thesis. Any substantial copying or any other actions that exceed fair dealing or other exceptions in the Copyright Act require the permission of the author.

https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:479