Molecular biology tools for dissecting sexual behavior.

The tools of molecular biology have just begun to demonstrate the role of genes in controlling sexual behavior and how hormones can influence sexual and reproductive motivation by controlling gene expression. In this review article the use of the new term "molecular sexology" is proposed to indicate the growing evidence that molecular biology techniques can be a useful tool not only to understand the genetic bases of the animal (and soon human) sexual behavior, but also in order to provide the rationale of the use of advanced therapeutic approaches, such as gene transfer, to the symptoms and diseases of sexuality.