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Biomedical subjects

H Persky

Publications and source records attributed to H Persky.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1982

The relation of plasma androgen levels to sexual behaviors and attitudes of women.

Four androgens: dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione (A), testosterone (T), and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a variety of sexual behaviors and attitudes, and several moods were determined regularly in two groups of healthy, married women who differed by three decades in age. The younger women exhibited significantly higher levels of each androgen, the differences being almost entirely attributable to ovarian failure in the older group. Although the older women reported the same levels of sexual desire and sexual arousal as the younger women, their intercourse frequencies and self-rated sexual gratification scores were significantly lower than the values obtained for the younger wives. One or more of the androgen levels related significantly and in the expected direction to each stage of the four-stage sexual response process. Global measures of so-called "sexual adjustment" and estimates of anxiety, depression, and hostility feelings experienced by these women did not relate significantly to any of the four androgen levels.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Plasma testosterone level and sexual behavior of couples.

Eleven couples, ages 21-31 years and married for at least 1 year, were studied intensively over a three menstrual cycle period from both an endocrine and a sexual behavioral standpoint. Each subject was interviewed individually and had a blood sample drawn twice weekly. Interviews were rated independently by two psychiatrists for degree of sexual initiation, responsivity, avoidance, couple interaction, and mood. Wives rated themselves also for degree of sexual gratification (responsivity). Plasma levels of testosterone and cortisol were determined for both husbands and wives while progesterone and estradiol levels were determined additionally for wives. Husband's initiation scores were significantly correlated with their wives responsivity (clinically rated) scores for 10 of the 11 couples; wives' initiation scores were significantly related to their husband's responsivity scores for 8 of the 11 couples. When either set of correlation coefficients was treated as a new variable and intercorrelated with the husband's average testosterone levels, a significant relationship was obtained. Intercourse frequency, while not related to either partner's average testosterone levels, was related to wives' testosterone levels at their ovulatory peaks. The wivess' self-rated gratification scores correlated significantly with their own plasma testosterone levels. Inspection of each wife's plasma testosterone profile across the three cycles indicated that a dichotomy coccurred, with some women showing a high baseline level and others showing a low baseline level. When wives were dichotomized on this basis, it was found that high baseline testosterone level was significantly related to high self-rated gratification score and to ability to form good interpersonal relationships.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1977

The effect of alcohol and smoking on testosterone function and aggression in chronic alcoholics.

Forty alcoholics without other significant medical or psychiatric problems were studied on a research ward for two weeks. All subjects abstained from alcohol and cigarettes during the first week; 30 randomly selected subjects were permitted unlimited alcohol and/or cigarettes during the second week. Plasma testosterone levels were normal during the first week but decreased rapidly and significantly in those subjects allowed alcohol. A variety of measures of affect failed to show a significant correlation between hostility/aggression and plasma testosterone levels or alcohol ingestion.

Adult↗