Brace yourselves for a low blow, tough guy. Nipples remind us that gender is anything but clear-cut, especially in utero. Whatever your sex, everyone starts off as a woman in the womb.
For the first several weeks a developing embryo follows a "female blueprint," from reproductive organs to nipples. Only after about 60 days does the hormone testosterone kick in (for those of us with a Y chromosome), changing the genetic activity of cells in the genitals and brain. But by then those mammary papillae aren't going anywhere.
So the real question is: why do male nipples come equipped with nerves and blood vessels? In many male mammals nipple formation is stunted by hormones, but not in humans. Did prehistoric men nurse their young? The lack of evidence suggests not. More likely, full-grown nipples—being harmless—don't get weeded out by natural selection.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
IT Engineer returns from abroad and surrenders to authorities after OSP wanted notice
47 minutes -
Ex-NPA CEO Mustapha Hamid denies GH¢280m extortion allegations filed by OSP
58 minutes -
Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah: Born in Liverpool, loved in Ghana
4 hours -
Photos from ABSA-UPSA Quarterly Banking Roundtable
5 hours -
White House says Trump diagnosed with vein condition after questions about bruises
5 hours -
Mahama nominates two new MMDCEs for Ashanti Region
5 hours -
Snoop Dogg becomes Swansea co-owner and investor
5 hours -
Taxi driver jailed 12 years for defiling minor
5 hours -
Accra to host first global memorial honouring victims of transatlantic slave trade
6 hours -
Confusion rocks NPP as member disowns suit against party ahead of delegates conference
6 hours -
Wimbledon attracts record digital audience of 69.3 million to BBC
6 hours -
Newcastle turn to Wissa after ending Ekitike pursuit
6 hours -
Wolves induct Jota into club’s Hall of Fame
6 hours -
Man shot dead, another injured over missing mining equipment
6 hours -
Absa Black Star Marathon team meets African Paralympic President ahead of July 26 race
7 hours