In today’s TMI Medical News: Vanesa Rodríguez Fernández and Carlos López Ramón y Cajal, two researchers working in the Spanish city of Pontevedra, claim to have evidence, they say, which proves “fetal gratification behavior” (fetal masturbation) as early as the 32nd week of gestation.

They’ve written a paper entitled “In-Utero Gratification Behavior in Male Fetus” and has been accepted for publication in the journal Prenatal Diagnosis. It says (in part):

Fetal gratification behavior using 3D ultrasounds. (1) The fetus is grasping his tumescent penis using an evident force. Foreskin is partially retracted. (2) In the next step, the foreskin is more retracted so it allowed us to locate the meatus clearly. (3) The foreskin is totally retracted and the glans is very patent. (4) Finally, the hand movement returns the foreskin to cover the glans.

We show “fetal gratification behavior” in a fetus in the 32nd week of gestation of a normal gestation. The fetus was grasping his tumescent penis with his hand and did it with such force that it shows us clearly the glans. Initially, the glans was covered by the foreskin and gradually the foreskin is retracted as we show in images the total sequence of the hand movements grasping the penis (Figure). We show this behavior using 4D live mode where the movements that go with this behavior are shown clearly (Movie File). Moments later the foreskin covers partially the glans (Figure: number 4). This is a very clear sexual behavior “in utero” in the 32nd week of gestation. We understood this behavior as a “fetal gratification behavior” (fetal masturbation).

(via Nerdcore)