Thyroid hormones & the evolution of human life-history patterns
Hierarchies in the energy budget:
Thyroid hormones and the evolution of human life history patterns
Stephanie B Levy & Richard G Bribiescas 2023
Evol.Anthr.32:275-292 doi org/10.1002/evan.22000 open access
The evolution of human life-history characteristics required dramatic shifts in energy allocation mechanisms, vs our primate ancestors.
Thyroid hormones are sensitive to energy balance (thyroxine T4, tri-iodo-thyronine T3),
they are significant determinants for tissue-specific & whole-body metabolic rate MR:
T3 & T4 are in part responsible for setting the body's overall energy budget, they likely played an important role in the evolution of human life-history patterns.
We propose:
the dynamics of mammalian T3 production, uptake & action have evolved:
does energy allocation prioritize the high demands of brain development & functioning, often at the expense of growth & reproduction?
We explore the role of thyroid hormone dynamics in the evolution of human encephalization, prolonged childhood & adolescence, long lifespans, reproduction & human aging.
(note also: iodine is more abundant at the sea-side,
wading/diving in colder water requires special thermo-insulation? --mv)
--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)