Prenatal stress as possible aetiogenetic factor of homosexuality in human males

Endokrinologie. 1980 Jun;75(3):365-8.

Abstract

Out of 865 homosexual males who were registered by venerologists in 6 districts of the GDR highly significantly more homosexuals were born during the stressful war and early postwar period of the Second World War, i.e. between 1941 and 1947 (with a maximum of relative frequency in 1944-1945), than in the years before or after this critical period. This finding suggests that stressful prenatal (or perinatal) events may represent an aetiogenetic factor for homosexuality in human males.

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Fetus / physiology
  • Germany, East
  • Homosexuality*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Statistics as Topic
  • Stress, Psychological / physiopathology*
  • Warfare