Do you have a manly brain? You might, if some new research is anything to go by. Apparently, bits of male DNA is commonly found in parts of the female brain. Yes, really.
Why is it there? What causes it? Can we legitimately blame the ‘male’ side of our brains when engage in the art of competitive sales shopping? We have so many questions…
According to scientists from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre in Seattle, the cause of having male DNA in our brains is usually being pregnant with a boy, however, as it stands scientists are unsure of the medical implications of this discovery.
But there are hopes that male DNA in our brains could have a protective effect and actually ward off conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.
According to the scientists, when a mother is pregnant with a boy, genetic material and cells are swapped between the two. The findings, which were published in the online journal Public Library of Science ONE, suggest that cells from babies frequently travel through the bloodstream of their mothers and live on in their bodies, specifically in the brain area.
A study of 59 deceased women found that the brains of those who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease were less likely to contain male DNA. And while this study suggests that male DNA has protective qualities, scientists were quick to state that more research needed to be done.
Do you have any male DNA in your brain?
“Currently, the biological significance of harbouring male DNA and male cells in the human brain requires further investigation,” said Dr William Chan, the leader of the study.
Previous research has shown that in some conditions, such as breast cancer, male DNA can actually protect the female body, however in conditions like colon cancer, male DNA can cause an increase risk.
So ladies, if you have some male DNA floating around in your body, it could protect you from some serious illnesses, but as of yet scientists are still trying to draw some firm conclusions. You have to admit it is pretty interesting though…
