A new study found that men show shifts in behavior from mating-oriented to parent-oriented while their partners' pregnancy¹ develops. These changes are determined² by changes in testosterone levels across pregnancy and hormonal³ linkage⁴ with their partner。

 

一项新的研究发现，在伴侣怀孕时，男性的行为会从交配导向型转变为家长导向型。决定这一转变的是伴侣怀孕期间男性睾丸素水平的变化，以及他们与伴侣之间的荷尔蒙联动。

 

It's almost hard to imagine that every caring dad was once a skirt-chasing ball of hormones⁵ -- but it's true. Somewhere along their transition to parenthood, biology puts a stop to men's carefree days of sowing wild oats and turns their attention towards nurturing⁷ children. This is a very solid strategy from an evolutionary⁸ point of view, but we didn't know exactly how it happened. 

 

A new study found that the answer may be testosterone. While high levels of this androgenic steroid hormone⁶ have been associated with aggression⁹ and competitive behavior, lower levels promote nurturing behaviors, particularly those related to caring for offspring. 

 

Previous studies show that fathers who are in a relationship and are more involved with children's care show lower testosterone levels that men who don't have children. Lower levels of salivary¹⁰ testosterone have also been tied to higher self-reported levels of relationship satisfaction and commitment, a lower interest in sex outside of marriage and a lower chance of divorce. So it would seem that a father's decrease in testosterone levels during the transition to parenthood leads him from exploring new mating opportunities towards investment into the current relationship and caring for offspring. 

 

Led by Darby Saxbe of the University of Southern California, the study followed 27 couples expecting their first child during pregnancy and first few months after birth. The parents' testosterone levels were measured during this pregnancy, and participants rated their investment, commitment, and satisfaction with their partner a few months after their child's birth. 

 

The team found that fathers showed significant declines in testosterone while the pregnancy progressed, and a significant positive correlation¹¹ with the mother's testosterone levels. A better correlation between the mother's and father's testosterone levels during pregnancy was associated with higher levels of father involvement after the child's birth -- the degree of synchrony between the parents predicted the fathers' investment, commitment, and satisfaction in the couple relationship.

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