Which type of traits is specifically influenced by one's sex hormones?

Sex-influenced traits are characteristics that are expressed differently in males and females due to the influence of sex hormones. These traits can be governed by genes that are located on autosomes (non-sex chromosomes) but are regulated by the presence of hormones that are typically associated with one sex or the other. For example, a trait like pattern baldness may be more prominent in males because male hormones (androgens) can influence the expression of the gene responsible for this trait, whereas females may carry the same gene but will manifest it differently or not at all due to the effects of female hormones (estrogens).

This nuance in expression due to hormonal differences highlights why sex-influenced traits do not strictly adhere to Mendelian inheritance patterns but instead demonstrate variation based on the sex of the individual. Consequently, this intertwining of genetics and hormonal influence makes sex-influenced traits a unique category within genetic expression.