"These findings define a new drug target with wide potential for therapeutic intervention in conditions such as hormonal-dependent cancer, abnormal puberty and control of fertility, " said Dr Samuel Aparicio of Paradigm Therapeutics.

BBC: NEWS | Health | Gene 'decides timing of puberty'

Their theory is that this variety of receptor might help, in normal circumstances, to keep control over the brain's response to huge hormonal changes during and immediately after pregnancy.

BBC: Chemical clue to baby blues found