engleski

Does perception of male facial profiles relate to female sex hormones?

Aim: To examine whether female perception of male facial profiles relates to the change of estrogen and progesterone levels depending of menstrual cycle phase. Subjects and Methods: The sample consisted of 90 female dental students (48 in secretory - infertile and 42 in proliferative - fertile phase). The hormonal status was examined by estimating hormonally conditioned change of salt quantity in saliva by utilising Maybe Baby mini microscope (OPTIX, Offenbach, Germany). Photographs representing 14 distortions of one Caucasian male facial profile, with different skeletal and dental relations were used. Each profile was estimated separately from two perspectives – social (colleague) and emotional (romantic partner) utilising a 10-point numerical rating scale. The ANOVA and cluster analysis were used in the statistical analysis. Results: The flat profile with a mild bialveolar retrusion was evaluated as the most beautiful. Women in the infertile phase evaluated this profile in their emotional estimation as beautiful more often than the women in the proliferative phase (p=0.035). In the fertile phase it was evaluated as more beautiful than the flat profile (p = 0.037) and the mild bialveolar protrusion (p = 0.005), while there were no differences regarding infertile phase and in social estimation. At emotional estimation, women group profiles differently in fertile and infertile phase. At emotional estimation, women in the fertile phase clearly distinguish a group of flat profiles with mild bialveolar protrusions or retrusions and slightly pointed chins, while they make little difference between intense dentoalveolar and skeletal profile alterations. At social estimation, they differentiate skeletal deviations from slight and intense dentoalveolar ones in both fertile and infertile phase. In infertile phase they group profiles in emotional and in social estimation equally. Conclusion: Profile estimation varies depending on the female sex hormones levels.

facial profile; preferences; sex hormones

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