Titel
No Evidence for a Trade-Off Between Competitive Traits and Ejaculate Quality in Humans
Autor*in
Todd K. Shackelford
Department of Psychology, Oakland University
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Abstract
Research in nonhuman animals (including insects, birds, and primates) suggests a trade-off in males between investment in competitive traits and investment in ejaculate quality. Previous research reported a negative association between perceived strength and ejaculate quality, suggesting that this trade-off also applies to human males. We conducted novel analyses of data secured as part of a larger project to assess the relationship between competitive traits (shoulder-to-hip ratio, handgrip strength, and height) and ejaculate quality (indexed by sperm morphology, sperm motility, and sperm concentration) in a sample of 45 men (ages ranging 18–33 years; M = 23.30, SD = 3.60). By self-report, participants had not had a vasectomy and had never sought treatment for infertility. We controlled for several covariates known to affect ejaculate quality (e.g., abstinence duration before providing an ejaculate) and found no statistically significant relationships between competitive traits and ejaculate quality; our findings therefore do not accord with previous research on humans. We highlight the need for additional research to clarify whether there is a trade-off between investment in competitive traits and investment in ejaculate quality in humans.
Stichwort
trade-off hypothesisejaculate qualityshoulder-to-hip ratiocompetitive traits
Objekt-Typ
Sprache
Englisch [eng]
Persistent identifier
Erschienen in
Titel
Evolutionary Psychology
Band
18
Ausgabe
3
ISSN
1474-7049
Erscheinungsdatum
2020
Publication
SAGE Publications
Erscheinungsdatum
2020
Zugänglichkeit
Rechte
Rechteangabe
© The Author(s) 2020
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