Do bodybuilders have more daughters than sons?
In the world of bodybuilding and steroid use, there’s been a curious observation: men involved in these activities apparently tend to have more daughters than sons. Try it for yourself (count how many friends of yours that used steroids have baby girls and how many have baby boys). Of one my pals from the army, for example, tells the story of a unit known for abusing steroids where the guys only had daughters. It’s become a hot topic, with many wondering why this happens. In this article, we’ll explore some possible reasons behind this phenomenon as there isn’t yet a definitive answer from science.
Let’s start with a quick biology lesson. We all know that whether a baby is a boy or a girl depends on the chromosomes they inherit from both parents. Typically, females have two X chromosomes (XX), while males have one X and one Y chromosome (XY). The egg always carries an X chromosome. So, the sex of the baby is determined by whether the sperm is carrying an X or a Y chromosome. At least on paper, a healthy, male individual should produce about equal amounts of X-bearing and Y-bearing chromosomes in their sperm.
Why steroid users have more girls arise:
Hormonal imbalances and sperm production
One theory suggests that anabolic steroids, which are basically synthetic forms of testosterone, mess with the body’s natural hormone balance and sperm production. Studies have hinted that using steroids might decrease sperm count and make them less mobile, which could possibly mean fewer Y-bearing sperm and more X-bearing sperm, leading to more girls.
Elevated estrogen
Another idea is that the increased use of anabolic steroids might lead to higher levels of estrogen in the male body, which happens to be the main female sex hormone. This could create an environment in the female reproductive tract that’s somehow more welcoming to X-bearing sperm, making it easier for them to survive and fertilize the egg, resulting in more girls.
Lifestyle
Let’s not forget about lifestyle habits and choices. People into bodybuilding and steroids often have unique lifestyles, diets, and exposures to different things that might affect their chances of having boys or girls. Stress, nutrition, and exposure to environmental factors, although somewhat unlikely, could all play a role.
While it’s fascinating to note that bodybuilders and steroid users seem to have more daughters than sons, take it with a pinch of salt and remember that there are many factors at play. For example, genetics, hormones, and lifestyle choices all may have a significant influence. So, until we have more answers, if you are a bodybuilder or a guy that take steroids, it may be a good idea to keep this in mind when family planning. Apparently, planning a prolonged time off from steroids when trying to get your significant other pregnant is a good way to even things out if you’re specifically looking to improve your odds at having a son.
