the hypothesis that in rodents, testicular androgens enter the brain and are converted into estrogens by the aromatase enzyme. This transition aims to masculinize the developing nervous system.
AROMATIZATION HYPOTHESIS: "The aromatization hypothesis purports that androgens in the brain are converted to estrogens by an enzyme, which thereby masculinizes the developing nervous system."
Cite this page: N., Sam M.S., "AROMATIZATION HYPOTHESIS," in PsychologyDictionary.org, April 7, 2013, https://psychologydictionary.org/aromatization-hypothesis/ (accessed February 6, 2023).