Study explains the evolutionary origins and advantages of masturbation uclnews RSocPublishing
To understand why evolution would produce this seemingly non-functional trait, Dr. Brindle and colleagues tested several hypotheses.
The"postcopulatory selection hypothesis" proposes that masturbation aids successful fertilization. This can be achieved in various ways. First, masturbation can increase arousal before sex. This may be a particularly useful tactic for low-ranking males likely to be interrupted during copulation, by helping them to ejaculate faster.
The"pathogen avoidance hypothesis" proposes that male masturbation reduces the chance of contracting an STI after copulation, by cleansing the urethra with ejaculate attained via masturbation. The team also found evidence in support of this hypothesis, showing that male masturbation co-evolved with high STI load across the primate tree of life.
The significance of female masturbation remains less clear. While frequent, there are fewer reports describing it, which diminishes the analytical power of statistics. The team argue that more data on female sexual behavior are needed to better understand the evolutionary role of female masturbation.
Lead researcher Dr. Brindle said,"Our findings help shed light on a very common, but little understood,and represent a significant advance in our understanding of the functions of masturbation. The fact that autosexual behavior may serve an adaptive function, is ubiquitous throughout the primate order, and is practiced by captive and wild-living members of both sexes, demonstrates that masturbation is part of a repertoire of healthy sexual behaviors.
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