Adaptive Variability in Women's Reproductive Functioning

DESCRIPTION:

Evolutionary theory has been applied to women's reproductive functioning to link reproduction and successful adaptation in humans. However, like any organism, humans face limited resources which may require trade-offs in reproductive choices. These projects study how women's reproductive efforts may be modulated seasonally or cyclically in response to environmental fluctuations.

PUBLICATIONS:

Vitzthum, V. J., Thornburg, J., and Spielvogel, H. (2009). Seasonal Modulation of Reproductive Effort During Early Pregnancy in Humans. American Journal of Human Biology. DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.20936. Online version available at Wiley Interscience website.

Vitzthum, V.J. (2008). Evolution and endocrinology: the regulation of pregnancy outcomes. In: S. Elton & P. O’Higgens (eds), Medicine and Evolution: Current Applications, Future Prospects. CRC Press: 99-126.

Vitzthum, V.J. (2008). Evolutionary models of women’s reproductive functioning. Annual Review of Anthropology. 37: 53-73.

Vitzthm, V. J., & Ringheim, K. (2005). Hormonal Contraception and Physiology: A Research-based Theory of Discontinuation Due to Side Effects. Studies in Family Planning, 36(1): 13–32.

Vitzthum, V.J., Spielvogel, H., Thornburg, J. (2004). Interpopulational differences in progesterone levels during conception and implantation in humans. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 101(6): 1443-1448.

Vitzthum, V.J. (2001). The home team advantage: reproduction in women indigenous to high altitude The Journal of Experimental Biology, 204: 3141–3150.

INVESTIGATORS:

Dr. Virginia J. Vitzthum

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