This study shows the importance of the basic spectro-temporal song parameters in territorial contests between male songbirds. Chiffchaff and willow warbler were selected as model species for their phylogenetic and ecological similarity, strong territorial behaviour, but very different singing styles. We found that bigger males of both species sing lower pitched songs and that males of both species adjust their behaviour according to song pitch of their rival simulated by playback. Thus, it seems that both species use song pitch to acoustically assess the body size of their rivals. We also show that song length and syllable rate are important features of the song, probably signalling short-term motivation to escalate territorial conflict.

Esta tese é um estudo acerca da produção de sentidos sobre a masculinidade e suas relações com a homofobia. Parte-se da premissa de que tanto a masculinidade quanto a homofobia são fenômenos construídos socialmente. A adoção do regime de amizade entre homens de orientações sexuais distintas permite problematizar as dinâmicas de gênero presentes nessa relação específica de homossociabilidade e suas interrelações com as diferentes concepções sobre masculinidade, homossexualidade e homofobia. A homofobia é compreendida sob duas perspectivas: (1) como um preconceito que gera discriminações e violências contra pessoas não heterossexuais; e (2) como um dispositivo regulador da relação entre homens, constituindo-se como um dos pilares da construção da masculinidade heterossexual. O trabalho de campo incluiu entrevistas individuais com homens heterossexuais de camadas médias das cidades do Rio de Janeiro e São Paulo que mantém relações de amizade com homens homossexuais. O conjunto dos participantes é heterogêneo no tocante à faixa etária (entre 25 e 47 anos), exercício profissional e experiências diversas de convívio com pessoas homossexuais. São analisadas as tensões, dilemas e ressignificações que ajudam a produzir diferentes sentidos para a masculinidade. Os resultados apontam para a coexistência de sentidos convencionais e liberais acerca do gênero e da sexualidade masculinos. / This dissertation is a study about the production of meanings of masculinity and its relationship to homophobia. It is based on the premise that both masculinity and homophobia are socially constructed phenomena. The formation of friendship between men of distinct sexual orientations provides a basis for problematizing the gender dynamics present in these homosocial relationships and their interrelations with different conceptions about masculinity, homosexuality, and homophobia. Homophobia is understood here in two perspectives: (1): as a form of prejudice that generates discrimination and violence against non-heterosexuals; and (2) as a regulatory tool in relationships between men, constituting one of the pillars in the construction of heterosexual masculinity. The field work for this study included individual interviews with middle-class, heterosexual men in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo who maintain friendships with homosexual men. The group of respondents is heterogeneous in terms of age (between 25 to 47 years old), profession, and life experiences with homosexuals. The analysis focuses on the tensions, dilemmas and reframing that help to produce different meanings about masculinity. The results point out the coexistence of conventional and liberal meanings about gender and sexuality.

Esta tese é um estudo acerca da produção de sentidos sobre a masculinidade e suas relações com a homofobia. Parte-se da premissa de que tanto a masculinidade quanto a homofobia são fenômenos construídos socialmente. A adoção do regime de amizade entre homens de orientações sexuais distintas permite problematizar as dinâmicas de gênero presentes nessa relação específica de homossociabilidade e suas interrelações com as diferentes concepções sobre masculinidade, homossexualidade e homofobia. A homofobia é compreendida sob duas perspectivas: (1) como um preconceito que gera discriminações e violências contra pessoas não heterossexuais; e (2) como um dispositivo regulador da relação entre homens, constituindo-se como um dos pilares da construção da masculinidade heterossexual. O trabalho de campo incluiu entrevistas individuais com homens heterossexuais de camadas médias das cidades do Rio de Janeiro e São Paulo que mantém relações de amizade com homens homossexuais. O conjunto dos participantes é heterogêneo no tocante à faixa etária (entre 25 e 47 anos), exercício profissional e experiências diversas de convívio com pessoas homossexuais. São analisadas as tensões, dilemas e ressignificações que ajudam a produzir diferentes sentidos para a masculinidade. Os resultados apontam para a coexistência de sentidos convencionais e liberais acerca do gênero e da sexualidade masculinos. / This dissertation is a study about the production of meanings of masculinity and its relationship to homophobia. It is based on the premise that both masculinity and homophobia are socially constructed phenomena. The formation of friendship between men of distinct sexual orientations provides a basis for problematizing the gender dynamics present in these homosocial relationships and their interrelations with different conceptions about masculinity, homosexuality, and homophobia. Homophobia is understood here in two perspectives: (1): as a form of prejudice that generates discrimination and violence against non-heterosexuals; and (2) as a regulatory tool in relationships between men, constituting one of the pillars in the construction of heterosexual masculinity. The field work for this study included individual interviews with middle-class, heterosexual men in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo who maintain friendships with homosexual men. The group of respondents is heterogeneous in terms of age (between 25 to 47 years old), profession, and life experiences with homosexuals. The analysis focuses on the tensions, dilemmas and reframing that help to produce different meanings about masculinity. The results point out the coexistence of conventional and liberal meanings about gender and sexuality.

O transexualismo é caracterizado pelo desejo irreversível de viver e ser aceito como pertencente ao sexo oposto ao seu sexo biológico. Os transexuais masculinos (feminino para masculino) utilizam cronicamente hormônios androgênicos para promover alterações nas características sexuais secundárias compatíveis com o sexo de identidade, correspondendo à terapia hormonal cruzada.A testosterona é o principal hormônio usado na terapia hormonal cruzada desta população. Embora seja considerada segura, quando utilizada em doses adequadas, poucos estudos estão disponíveis na literatura a respeito dos efeitos da testosterona nessa população específica, além de incluir tamanhos amostrais pequenos. Assim, os objetivos desta dissertação foram os de revisar de forma sistemática a literatura a respeito dos efeitos do tratamento comtestosterona sobre o perfil clínico, metabólico, hematológico, lipídico e hepático de indivíduos transexuais masculinos.Nesta revisão sistemática e meta-análise, buscaram-se estudos publicados até maio de 2016 nas bases de dados Medline (PUBMED) and EMBASE. Foram incluídos estudos que relatassem intervenções com qualquer dose de testosterona e que apresentassem dados comparando variáveis clínicase metabólicas antes e depois do tratamento Para a meta-análise, somente artigos que tivessem analisado os efeitos do tratamento com undecanoato de testosterona por 12 meses foram incluídos. Desta forma, o tamanho do efeito foi calculado como alteração em 12 meses em relação ao valor médio basal. A busca resultou em 391 artigos potencialmente elegíveis. Destes, 13 alcançaram os critérios de eligibilidade e foram incluídos na revisão sistemática. Três foram elegíveis para a meta-análise. A qualidade destes estudos de acordo com a escala de Newcastle-Ottawa Scale foi boa. O tratamento com undecanoato de testosterona promoveu um significativo aumento nos níveis séricos de testosterona (tamanho do efeito 6.18, IC 95%: 4.59 à 7.76), hematócrito(4.80, IC95%: 4.06 à 5.54), hemoglobina(1.54, IC95%: 1.10 à 1.98), e pressão sistólica (4.74, IC 95%: 2.15 à7.33). Em conclusão, os resultados deste trabalho sugerem que o tratamento comundecanoato de testosteronaé efetivo e embora aumente significativamente hematócrito, hemoglobina e pressão sistólica no primeiroano de tratamento de homens transgêneros, estes achados são clinicamente aceitáveis evidenciando segurança deste tratamento. / Transsexualism is characterized by the irreversible desire to live and be accepted as belonging to the opposite sex to its biological sex. Male transsexuals (female to male) chronically use androgenic hormones to promote changes in secondary sexual characteristics compatible with gender identity, corresponding to cross-sex hormone therapy. Testosterone is the main hormone used in cross-hormone therapy in this population. Although it is considered safe, when used in adequate doses, few studies are available in the literature regarding the effects of testosterone in this specific population, in addition to including small sample sizes. Thus, the objectives of this dissertation were to systematically review the literature regarding the effects of testosterone treatment on the clinical, metabolic, hematological, lipid and hepatic profile of male transsexual individuals. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, studies were published until May 2016 in the Medline (PUBMED) and EMBASE databases. We included studies that reported interventions with any dose of testosterone and that presented data comparing clinical and metabolic variables before and after treatment For the meta-analysis, only articles that had analyzed the effects of treatment with testosterone undecanoate for 12 months were included. In this way, the effect size was calculated as change in 12 months in relation to the baseline mean value. Search resulted in 391 potentially eligible articles. Of these, 13 met the eligibility criteria and were included in the systematic review. Three were eligible for the meta-analysis. The quality of these studies according to the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale scale was good. Treatment with testosterone undecanoate promoted a significant increase in serum testosterone levels (effect size 6.18, 95% CI: 4.59 to 7.76), hematocrit (4.80, 95% CI: 4.06 to 5.54), hemoglobin (1.54, 95%: 1.10 to 1.98), and systolic pressure (4.74, 95% CI: 2.15 to 7.33). In conclusion, the results of this work suggest that testosterone undecanoate treatment is effective and although it significantly increases hematocrit, hemoglobin and systolic pressure in the first year of treatment of transgender men, these findings are clinically acceptable, evidencing the safety of this treatment.

A potencialidade da produção de inúmeras espécies silvestres vem sendo pesquisada em todo mundo, demonstrando que estas podem se transformar em fontes renováveis de produtos de grande rentabilidade. Alguns espécimes vêm sendo explorados indiscriminadamente como fonte de proteína de origem animal, como o preá (Galea spixii) que já está sendo criado com objetivo de manejo e reprodução, com repercussão econômica. Para perspectiva de produção comercial e de preservação da espécie, tem de haver estudo das diversas etapas do desenvolvimento testicular, especialmente daquelas associadas à puberdade e a maturidade sexual na reprodução. Assim, o presente projeto desenvolvido teve como objetivo avaliar os detalhes ultraestruturais dos componentes dos compartimentos testiculares, a evolução do processo espermatogênico e os aspectos relativos à evolução dos demais órgãos da via espermática em preás em diferentes fases do ciclo reprodutivo. Fragmentos testiculares e da via espermática de preás machos em diferentes idades foram coletados no Centro de Multiplicação da Universidade Federal Rural do Semiárido, Mossoró, RN, por ocasião do projeto de IC (Processo FAPESP n º 08/57190-8). O material coletado foi processado para microscopia de luz, microscopia eletrônica de varredura e microscopia eletrônica de transmissão. As observações e eletromicrografias sub-celulares e de superfície foram realizadas nos microscópios eletrônicos de transmissão e varredura do Setor de Anatomia da FMVZ/USP. Dados microscópicos revelaram a presença de espermatozoides no lúmen do túbulo seminífero e do epidídimo aos 45 dias de idade. O desenvolvimento das células de Sertoli e Leydig está diretamente relacionado com a entrada à puberdade dos preás. Os estádios de desenvolvimento sexual em preás podem ser classificados nas seguintes fases: impúbere (zero e 15 dias), pré-púbere (30 dias), púbere (45, 60, 75 e 90 dias de idade) e pós-púbere (120 e 150 dias). / The production capability of many wild species has been researched worldwide, demonstrating that these can turn into renewable products with high profitability. Some specimens have been indiscriminately exploited as a source of animal protein, such as the cavy (Galea spixii) that is already created with the purpose of handling and reproduction, with economic impact. To view the commercial production and preservation of the species, there must be study of the various stages of testicular development, especially those associated with puberty and sexual maturity in reproduction. Thus, this project was developed to evaluate the ultrastructure details of the components of testicular compartments, the evolution of the spermatogenic process and aspects of the evolution of spermatic via in spix\'s yellow-toothed cavy at different stages of the reproductive cycle. Testicular fragments and spermatic via the male spix\'s yellow-toothed cavy at different ages were collected Multiplication Center of Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Arido, Mossoró, RN, at the Scientific Initiation Project (FAPESP Process No. 08/57190-8). The collected material was processed for light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The observations and photomicrographs cellular and surface were performed in transmission and scanning electron microscopes of the Department of Anatomy FMVZ / USP. Microscopic data revealed the presence of spermatozoa in the lumen of the seminiferous tubule and epididymis at 45 days old. The development of Sertoli and Leydig cells are directly related to the entry of puberty in spix\'s yellow-toothed cavy. The stages of sexual development in spix\'s yellowtoothed cavy may be classified into the following phases: impuberal (zero and 15 days), prepubertal (30 days), pubertal (45, 60, 75 and 90 days old) and post pubertal (120 and 150 days).

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Introduction: Typha capensis, commonly referred to as bulrush also called "love reed'' growing in Southern Africa's wetlands, is one of South Africa indigenous medicinal plants that are traditionally used to treat male fertility problems and various other ailments. Previous studies revealed that T. capensis has indeed a beneficial effect on male reproductive functions and aging male symptoms. The T.capensis rhizomes are used in traditional medicine during pregnancy to ensure easy delivery, for venereal diseases, dysmenorrhea, diarrhoea, dysentery, and to enhance the male potency and libido. Typha genuses contain flavones and other phenolic compounds, which exhibit anti-oxidative capacity. Materials and Methods: This study encompasses three parts (part 1: Exposure of different cell lines to crude aqueous extracts of T. capensis rhizomes; part 2: HPLC analysis of Typha capensis crude rhizome extract and exposure of different cell lines to the F1 fraction of the summer season; part 3: Compound identification by means of NMR spectrometric analysis and exposure of different cell lines to bioactive compounds (Quercetin and Naringenin) isolated from T. capensis rhizomes. Part 1: TM3-Leydig cells and LNCaP cells incubated with different concentrations of crude aqueous extract of T. capensis rhizomes (0.01, 0.02, 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 μg/ml) and control (without extract) for 24 and 96 hours, after incubation. The following parameters were evaluated: cell morphology and viability (determined by means of MTT assay). Part 2: The crude extract HPLC profiles were obtained by preparing the extracts for different seasons (Autumn, Winter, Spring, Summer). TM3-Leydig cells, LNCaP cells and PWR-1E cells incubated with different concentrations T. capensis rhizomes extract F1 fraction of the summer season (0.01, 0.02, 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 μg/ml) and control (without extract) for 24 and 96 hours, after incubation. The following parameters were evaluated: cell morphology was observed and recorded, viability (determined by means of MTT assay), testosterone production (testosterone ELISA test), cell early apoptosis (determined by means of Annexin V-Cy3 binding), DNA fragmentation (determined by means of the TUNEL assay). Part 3: NMR spectrometric analysis was performed on a 13C spectra were recorded at 400 MHz. TM3-Leydig cells and LNCaP cells incubated with different concentrations of bioactive compounds (Quercetin and Naringenin) isolated from T. capensis rhizomes, for acute exposure (24, 96 hours) and chronic exposure (96 hours), after incubation, the following parameters were evaluated: cell morphology and viability (determined by means of MTT assay), testosterone production (testosterone ELISA test), cell early apoptosis (determined by means of Annexin V-Cy3 binding) and DNA fragmentation (determined by means of the TUNEL assay). Results: Part 1: for TM3-Leydig cells the results reveal no observable morphological changes and no significant influence on cell viability except at highest concentration indicating cellular stress. However, LNCaP cells showed a decline in cell viability at the incubation period 96 hours (-82.4%) more than 24 hours (-64.7%) indicating more cell death. Part 2: HPLC data showed that the most effective fraction was the F1 fraction from the summer harvest. Results revealed that the T. capensis rhizome extract F1 fraction of the summer season significantly enhanced testosterone production in TM3 cells and was more toxic towards cancer cells (LNCaP cells ) compared to the normal cell lines (TM3-Leydig, PWR-1E cells). Part 3: NMR data showed 2 bioactive compounds which were identified as Quercetin and Naringenin. The assays showed that LNCaP cells are more sensitive to the cytotoxic effects and apoptosis induction of both compounds, whereas, the assays resulted in weak effects toward TM3-Leydig cells. However, testosterone production in TM3-Leydig cells was significantly enhanced at low concentrations of Quercetin and Naringenin at all exposure types (acute and chronic) testosterone beak significantly at around 0.100 and 0.125 μg/ml (P<0.0001), stimulatory activity in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: Typha capensis enhanced the production of testosterone and might be useful to treat male infertility and aging male problems. Results further reveal that the F1 fraction from the summer harvest had highest biological activity. This study, for the first time, investigated the effects of bioactive compounds (Quercetin and Naringenin) yeilded from aqueous extraction of Typha capensis rhizomes in cell lines investigating male reproductive functions. Active compounds present in the rhizomes have caused an increased production of testosterone level in TM3-Leydig cells. Furthermore, the active compounds of Typha capensis rhizomes in the high dose had a negative effect on the percentage of DNA fragmentation in LNCaP cells. When compared to the effect of the low dose, the two compounds induced significant apoptosis in cancer cell line (LNCaP) compared with the normal cell line (TM3-Leydig). The isolated compounds are significantly selective towards the cancer cells than the normal cell compared with the exposure of bioactive compounds used in this study.

The purpose of this study is to frame the cinematic male prostitute as a "fallen angel" to demonstrate that the evolution of the cinematic hustler has paralleled historicized ideological definitions of male homosexuality. Because cultural understandings of male homosexuality frequently reflect Judeo-Christian ideological significations of sin and corruption, the term "fallen angel" is utilized to describe the hustler as a figure who has also succumbed to sin due to his sexual involvement with other men. This study constructs an epochal analysis of eight films that explores the confluence of the social understanding of homosexuality with the cinematic image of the hustler from the mid 1960s through the present. In doing so, this study shows that the image of the cinematic hustler is intricately tied to the image of the male homosexual in material cultures and eras that produce them. A filmography is included.

In research on disordered eating in female collegiate athletes, psychosocial correlates including elevated scores on measures of body image concerns, weight pressures, sociocultural internalization, and mood state were found significantly more often in either the eating disorder or symptomatic group as opposed to the asymptomatic group. Unique or nuanced pressures exist for male athletes as well, specifically a different ideal for body image, often described by a drive for muscularity. I examined these effects in a sample of 698 male collegiate athletes. All participants completed questionnaires, which provided measures of drive for muscularity, social desirability, body satisfaction, negative affect, sociocultural pressures, sport weight pressures, and internalization and social comparison among other factors not pertinent for this analysis as part of a larger study. Exploratory factor analysis confirmed the existence of five factors (general and sport pressures, internalization, body dissatisfaction, negative affect and drive for muscularity) to which a sixth was added to reflect dietary intent, all of which are explained in the Petrie and Greenleaf sociocultural model. A logistic regression showed that dietary intent and drive for muscularity differentiated significantly between the symptomatic/eating disordered athletes and those who were asymptomatic.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV (UNAIDS) strongly recommends that developing countries regard medical male circumcision as a biomedical intervention. This recommendation has caused developing countries seeking a radical solution to the prevailing and persistent social problem of HIV to reform their health policies. Most now discourage traditional male circumcision and promote safe medical male circumcision (SMMC) as a strong contributor to reductions in HIV transmission. This has introduced conflicts in traditional African societies such as the Bugisu, where male circumcision is culturally motivated, symbolising a rite of passage from boyhood to manhood. In the Bugisu sub-region, the local Bamasaaba regard their cultural practice of traditional male circumcision (TMC) as prestigious.

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