New study The reason men prefer sex rather than food

Worms study proves: women and men have different nerve cells
A recent study has found that male roundworms have specific neurons in their brains. These not only remind the worm of sex, but also make it look for new ways to sex. Here even food is neglected. The scientists from University College London suspect similar mechanisms in men.

It should be noted that women do not have the same nerve cells (neurons) as men. In women, sex comes in second place. They prefer food. For decades researchers and feminists have been discussing whether male and female brains are wired differently. Now it seems to be proven.

Study on worms brings new results on sexual behavior
The study was conducted by University College London (UCL) in collaboration with the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Differences in brain development but also in brain structure were discovered. The research was done on small worms (Caenorhabditis elegans). This species has two sexes: males and hermaphrodites (hybrids). The latter carry their own sperm and are therefore not dependent on sex. Although work on worms has been carried out, researchers may be able to draw conclusions about the diversity of human sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender identity, said co-author Professor Scott Emmons. Although the research was not done on humans, it is plausible that the male brain has types of neurons that the female brain does not have, and vice versa.

Sexual maturity leads to changes in the brain of male worms
The study showed that genetic and developmental differences between the two sexes lead to structural changes in the brains of male worms during sexual maturity. These changes make male brains work differently. Men remember earlier sexual encounters and prefer sex in future situations to food.

Experiments show: MCM nerve cells blame for behavioral change
The team was surprised to find previously unidentified cells in the worms. The worms have been extensively studied in the past. Nevertheless, the new cells were discovered for the first time. These new nerve cells were called "MCMs". In order to understand the effect of the cells on the behavior of the worms, the researchers in the experimental animals have dislikes or pleasant experiences (such as hunger or other worms) associated with another stimulus (salt). For example, worms that have been starved in salt-rich environments have learned to leave areas of high concentration of salt. This showed that males and hermaphrodites perceived high salt concentrations as a sign of the absence of food. The next step was to starve males in salt-rich surroundings in the presence of sexual partners. Now, when placed in a new environment with different salt concentrations, male worms specifically target areas of high salt concentration.

Thus, it was clear that the association of salt with sex was stronger than salt with lack of food. However, this behavioral change did not occur in hermaphrodites. In males whose MCM neurons were surgically removed, this change in behavior was also undetectable. According to the researchers, it can be seen that these neurons are responsible for gender-specific differences in learning behavior. The study was published by the researchers of the "UCL" and the "Albert Einstein College of Medicine" in the journal "Nature".