Anthropologists have understood the evolutionary significance of masturbation, which is practiced by many animals, but primarily primates. This type of behavior helped males increase their chances of reproduction and avoid getting infections millions of years ago, according to the study. published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
Masturbation is common in many animals, but it is most common in primates, including humans. Historically, this behavior has been considered by biologists to be a deviation from normal or a secondary manifestation of sexual behavior. However, proven observations and analyzes of this phenomenon have been too fragmentary to assess its distribution among different species and understand its evolutionary history and adaptive role.
To understand the possible evolutionary significance of masturbation, anthropologists led by Matilda Brindle of University College London have collected the most observational data to date (about 400 sources) on its prevalence in primates, including 246 articles published in academic journals and 150 proofs. provided by primatologists and healers.
With this data, the study authors were able to trace patterns of autoerotic behavior in primates to understand when and how it developed in males and females. To understand the reasons for this seemingly unnecessary behavior, scientists have put forward several working hypotheses.
The first is the post-copulatory selection hypothesis, which suggests that masturbation somehow contributes to successful fertilization. First, masturbation without ejaculation helps arouse males before mating. This tactic can be especially useful for lower-ranking males, whose copulation process is more likely to be interrupted, so it helps them to impregnate the female faster. Second, masturbation with ejaculation helps men get rid of lower quality sperm, fertilizing women with more “fresh” sperm, giving them an edge over their competitors. Scientists have found support for this hypothesis by showing that male masturbation has co-evolved with primate species that have high female rivalry among males.
The pathogen prevention hypothesis suggests that male masturbation after mating reduces a male’s risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) by clearing the urethra, the primary site of infection. Scientists have also found support for this hypothesis by showing that male masturbation evolves in sync with the prevalence of STDs in the primate tree of life.
The evolutionary significance of female masturbation has not been established by scientists because, despite observations of this behavior in primates, there are not enough for statistically meaningful analysis.
“Our study shed light on a very common but poorly understood sexual behavior and represents a significant advance in understanding the function of masturbation,” Brindle said. She explained that the common primate autosexual behavior with a presumably adaptive function is seen in captive and wild animals of both sexes, which could mean that masturbation is part of healthy sexual behavior.
The analysis showed that this behavior is an ancient property of primates and, at least in males, increases reproductive success and helps avoid infection. It has a long evolutionary history and traces its origins to the common ancestors of all apes and great apes, including humans. “Our analysis supported hypotheses of post-copulatory selection and pathogen avoidance in male primates, showing that masturbation may be an adaptive trait operating on a macroevolutionary scale,” the scientists said.
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