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Evaluation of sexual behavior of hair sheep rams in a tropical environment.

We evaluated sexual behavior of St. Croix White (SC; n = 5) and Barbados Blackbelly hair (BB; n = 4) rams under two environmental conditions in the tropics. Sexually naive rams were individually exposed for 15 min to a restrained, ovariectomized ewe, three times during a 3-wk period in June, in a pen with shade (SHADE; 33.1+/-.3 degrees C) or without shade (SUN; 38.3+/-.3 degrees C). Rectal temperature (RT) of rams was measured before and after each test. Sexual behaviors were recorded by observers outside the pens. The number of mounts and ejaculations were similar (P > .10) between the SUN (12.1+/-2.8 and 3.6 +/-.5, respectively) and SHADE (10.7+/-2.9 and 3.4+/-.4, respectively) tests. There was no breed x test pen interaction for any of the behaviors recorded (P > .10). The BB rams mounted the ewe more (P < .04) than did the SC rams (15.7+/-2.8 vs 7.3+/-2.7 mounts, respectively). The overall level of activity (foreleg kicks, attempted mounts, mounts, and ejaculations) was similar (P > .10) between BB and SC rams (64.9 +/-8.5 vs 45.4+/-8.5 events, respectively). Rectal temperature before testing was similar (P > .10) in BB and SC rams (39.4+/-.1 vs 39.4+/-.1 degrees C, respectively). The change in RT of rams was not different (P > .10) between SUN and SHADE tests (.6 +/-.1 vs .8+/-.1 degrees C), but BB rams had a greater (P < .02) change in RT than SC rams (.9+/-.1 vs .5+/-.1 degrees C, respectively). The change in RT was positively correlated with time to first service (r = .39, P < .01) and number of mounts (r = .52, P < .001) and negatively correlated with number of services (r = -.47, P < .0008). These results show that under tropical conditions, hair sheep rams exhibit a full repertoire of sexual behaviors. There does not seem to be a negative influence of elevated ambient temperature during testing on the level of sexual behavior of these rams.

Animals↗

Role of aromatization in anticipatory and consummatory aspects of sexual behavior in male rats.

The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that aromatization is involved in the maintenance by testosterone of the appetitive component of male sexual behavior. We measured appetitive sexual behavior by administering behavioral tests in bilevel chambers and quantifying anticipatory level changes during a 5-min period prior to introduction of a stimulus female. In addition, we recorded standard measures of consummatory male sexual behavior after the female was introduced. Following 3 weekly tests, level-changing behavior reached a plateau and remained stable for up to 10 weeks. After 10 bilevel tests, rats were given subcutaneous testosterone capsules to clamp circulating androgen at physiological levels. Rats were tested and divided into two groups that were matched for measures of sexual behavior. One group was then treated with the nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor, Fadrozole (2.5 mg/kg/day), given subcutaneously in beta-cyclodextrin and the other group was treated with vehicle. Within 1 week of Fadrozole treatment, the number of anticipatory levels changes was significantly reduced, but not the latency to begin searching. Fadrozole treatment also significantly reduced all measures of copulatory behavior over the period of treatment and increased latencies to first mount, intromission, and ejaculation. After 8 weeks, both treatment groups were given an additional Silastic capsule filled with estradiol and tested for 4 additional weeks. Estrogen treatment partially restored level-changing behavior, mounts, and intromissions but had little effect on ejaculations. These results support the view that aromatization is important for maintaining both the appetitive and the consummatory aspects of sexual behavior in male rats.

Animals↗

[Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in 3 groups of Ecuadorian women with different sexual behaviors].

In order to examine the relationship between sexual conduct and infection with Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonococcus), the prevalence of these two microorganisms was studied in three groups of Ecuadorean women with different patterns of sexual behavior: 116 prostitutes, 136 women from Borbón Parish who had numerous sexual partners, and 61 pregnant women who had sexual relations with only one partner. The prevalence of infection from one or both of the agents was 53.4% in the prostitutes (n = 62), 34.5% in the women from Borbón (n = 47), and 1.6% in the pregnant women (n = 1). These results bear out the relationship between sexual behavior and risk of sexually transmitted disease.

Adolescent↗

Implications of hormonal influences on sexual behavior for demographic models of reproduction.

In exploring the implications of hormonal influences on sexual behavior for reproduction, we have focused on androgens because of the convincing evidence for androgenic effects on female sexual motivation. We have been guided by the simple idea, based on clinical findings among hyperandrogenic women, that higher testosterone levels will increase female sexual motivation which in turn will result in increased coital frequency. However, careful consideration of the evidence fails to confirm such a role for testosterone in sexual behavior among normal women at any point in the reproductive span. While some amount of testosterone appears to be important in maintaining female sexual motivation, there is little evidence that variation in testosterone within the normal range is associated with variation in sexual motivation. Reported associations between testosterone and sexual behavior among married women cannot be interpreted as resulting from androgenic effects on sexual motivation. Thus we are left with the task of explaining why testosterone does not appear to play the same role in libido among hyperandrogenic and normal women. As mentioned earlier, some of the difference may attributable to the much higher levels of testosterone among hyperandrogenic women. Sherwin points out that the levels of sexual motivation decline with declining testosterone levels even while testosterone is well above normally occurring levels. It is possible that the brain is simply not sensitive to the variation in testosterone levels found in normal women. Other evidence suggests that the presence of intact ovaries may be equally important. A recent study of androgen replacement in naturally post-menopausal women failed to find a dramatic effect of testosterone on sexual motivation and behavior, despite levels similar to those in studies on surgically menopausal women, pointing to the importance of other factors associated with the presence of ovaries. A similar point can be made with regard to hyperandrogenism related to endogenous sources of testosterone, as in the case of PCOS. High levels of testosterone effectively disrupt ovarian function and interfere with other ovarian processes. Among hyperandrogenic women sexual behavior appears to be related to the direct effects of androgens on motivation, while the indirect effects of estrogen and progesterone are essentially eliminated. Among normal women, on the other hand, there is little evidence for such a dominating role of a direct androgenic effect on sexual behavior. Instead, other ovarian hormones, including estrogen and progesterone may also play a demonstrable role, despite the lack of strong evidence at this point.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Differential effects of GABA transaminase inhibitors on sexual behavior, locomotor activity, and motor execution in the male rat.

The GABA transaminase inhibitors gamma-acetylen GABA (GAG) and sodium valproate were administered intraperitoneally and their effects on locomotor activity, motor execution and sexual behavior were analyzed. It was found that sodium valproate, administered 15 min before observation, reduced locomotor activity only at a dose of 200 mg/kg. Doses of 100 and 400 mg/kg had no effect. Motor execution was impaired in a dose-dependent way, the lowest effective dose being 200 mg/kg. Sexual behavior was also dose-dependently reduced. Sodium valproate, administered 60 min before observation, inhibited all behaviors. The lowest effective dose was 200 mg/kg for locomotor activity and 400 mg/kg for motor execution and sexual behavior. GAG also inhibited all behavior, in doses ranging from 25 mg/kg (locomotor activity) to 100 mg/kg (motor execution and sexual behavior). The data showed that there is no relation between effects on locomotor activity and the effects on sexual behavior, whereas sexual behavior is inhibited whenever motor execution is impaired. Moreover, there is no correlation between effects on locomotor activity and motor execution. It is suggested that GABA transaminase inhibitors effect sexual behavior only indirectly, via an impairment of motor execution. Therefore it is doubtful whether GABAergic mechanisms play any role in the normal regulation of sexual behavior.

4-Aminobutyrate Transaminase↗

Nuclear receptor coactivators function in estrogen receptor- and progestin receptor-dependent aspects of sexual behavior in female rats.

The ovarian hormones, estradiol (E) and progesterone (P) facilitate the expression of sexual behavior in female rats. E and P mediate many of these behavioral effects by binding to their respective intracellular receptors in specific brain regions. Nuclear receptor coactivators, including Steroid Receptor Coactivator-1 (SRC-1) and CREB Binding Protein (CBP), dramatically enhance ligand-dependent steroid receptor transcriptional activity in vitro. Previously, our lab has shown that SRC-1 and CBP modulate estrogen receptor (ER)-mediated induction of progestin receptor (PR) gene expression in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMN) and hormone-dependent sexual receptivity in female rats. Female sexual behaviors can be activated by high doses of E alone in ovariectomized rats, and thus are believed to be ER-dependent. However, the full repertoire of female sexual behavior, in particular, proceptive behaviors such as hopping, darting and ear wiggling, are considered to be PR-dependent. In the present experiments, the function of SRC-1 and CBP in distinct ER- (Exp. 1) and PR- (Exp. 2) dependent aspects of female sexual behavior was investigated. In Exp. 1, infusion of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides to SRC-1 and CBP mRNA into the VMN decreased lordosis intensity in rats treated with E alone, suggesting that these coactivators modulate ER-mediated female sexual behavior. In Exp. 2, antisense to SRC-1 and CBP mRNA around the time of P administration reduced PR-dependent ear wiggling and hopping and darting. Taken together, these data suggest that SRC-1 and CBP modulate ER and PR action in brain and influence distinct aspects of hormone-dependent sexual behaviors. These findings support our previous studies and provide further evidence that SRC-1 and CBP function together to regulate ovarian hormone action in behaviorally-relevant brain regions.

Animals↗

Sociocultural contexts of adolescent sexual behavior in rural Hanover, Jamaica.

PURPOSE: To investigate sexual behavior of adolescents in rural Hanover, Jamaica, and to elucidate the cultural contexts of this behavior. METHODS: Focus group discussion (FGD) sessions with 73 out-of-school young adolescents aged 15 to 18 years, recruited from health centers, as well as community-based organizations through the Social Development Commission (SDC) in Hanover, a local youth and community development organization, within the Ministry of Local Government, Youth and Community Development. The discussions focused on the adolescents' knowledge of sex and sexual risks, perceived vulnerability to sexual risks, use of protection, self-efficacy, and societal expectations. Data were analyzed, using the content analysis technique. RESULTS: Analyses of transcripts revealed the existence of different sexual scripts for males and females. Whereas females are culturally restrained, abstinence is less desirable for males. Both male and female adolescents expressed the view that the family was an important part of an adolescent's life, and has a strong influence on adolescent sexual behavior. Perception of vulnerability to HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, and knowledge of sexual risks among the adolescents was low, and often erroneous. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that sexual attitudes and behavior of adolescents in the study setting are shaped by cultural and gender norms that impose different standards on males and females.

Adolescent↗

Body piercing, personality, and sexual behavior.

The associations of body piercing with other social characteristics, personality, and sexual behavior were investigated in a population-based sample of young adults, in light of the theory that body piercing has meaning in terms of a corporeal expression of the self. At age 26 years, 966 (95%) of 1019 members of the birth-cohort of the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study were asked about body piercing (at interview) and sexual behavior (questions presented by computer). Assessment of personality traits was conducted at ages 18 or 21 years. In total, 183 participants (9% of the men and 29% of the women) had piercings at a site other than the earlobes. People who lived outside New Zealand or who were of Maori descent were more likely to be pierced, but unemployment and low occupational status were not significantly related to piercing. Women who were pierced, compared with those without piercings, were more likely to have personality traits of low constraint or high negative emotionality. Women with piercings were also more likely to report having had, during the previous year, five or more heterosexual partners (odds ratio, 5.8, 95% CI: 2.3-14.6) or any same-sex partner involving genital contact (odds ratio, 10.3, CI: 2.9-37.2). The associations with sexual behavior in men were weaker and not statistically significant. In this population, body piercing in women was associated with sexual behavior. Having multiple heterosexual partners or any same-sex partner was very rare among women without piercings. The theory of meaning for body piercing was generally supported, offering the possibility of a richer understanding of this phenomenon in the general population.

Adult↗

Alcohol and AIDS-related sexual behavior among Hispanics: acculturation and gender differences.

We examined the relationship of acculturation to alcohol use and risky sexual behavior among Hispanic men (N = 269) and women (N = 294). Data were obtained from a 1991/1992 general population survey on alcohol that included questions on sexual behavior. Guided by a conceptual/theoretical framework, we focused on gender and acculturation differences as we examined the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics, perception of AIDS-related risk, drinking and AIDS-related sexual behavior. Logistic regression analyses were performed separately for men and women to evaluate the predictive strength of acculturation, demographic factors, and alcohol consumption on risky sexual behavior. Results indicated that less acculturated Hispanic men drank more heavily and were more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior than those who were more acculturated. Although acculturated Hispanic women drank more than those who were less acculturated, less acculturated Hispanic women engaged in more risky sexual behavior. The data indicate the need for culturally sensitive AIDS-prevention programs that are linked with alcohol treatment services for men and that are targeted to different acculturation levels for men and women.

Acculturation↗

Activity of single components of Ferula hermonis on male rat sexual behavior.

The influence of the single components of Ferula hermonis extract on sexual behavior was studied in male rats. Sexually potent and sluggish/impotent animals were orally treated acutely (2.5 mg/kg) and subchronically (0.25 mg/kg/day for 10 days) with ferutinin, teferdin and teferin. Ferutinin alone acutely administered in potent rats was able to reduce mount and intromission latencies, while in sluggish/impotent animals, it induced the same effects and additionally shortened the ejaculation latency, as teferdin did. Both substances increased testosterone levels in rats. Unlike teferdin, ferutinin subchronically administered in potent rats negatively affected appetitive and consummatory sexual behavior, reducing also testosterone serum levels. In conclusion, if repetitively administered, ferutinin was able to stimulate sexual behavior after acute ingestion, but exerted a negative influence on the sexual capacity of potent male rats, whereas teferdin only improved copulatory performance of sluggish/impotent animals.

Animals↗

Long-term weekly gonadal steroid treatment: effects on plasma prolactin, sexual behavior and hypothalamic-preoptic area catecholamines.

Treatment of intact female rats with weekly injections of estradiol benzoate followed 48 h later by progesterone reliably induced high levels of sexual behavior. After 15-20 treatments, 25% of one group of females became refractory to the sexual-activity-inducing effects of ovarian steroids. The apparent deficit in sexual behavior could not be attributed to variation in prolactin secretion, as long-term steroid treatment resulted in greatly elevated circulating prolactin levels (greater than 1 microgram/ml) which were equivalent in good sexual responders (lordosis quotient, LQ greater than or equal to 90) and sexually refractory females (LQ less than or equal to 20). In control rats, short-term steroid treatment (5 weeks) decreased dopamine (DA) and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (Dopac) concentrations in the median eminence (ME) and induced good sexual behavior. Interestingly, a similar pattern of decreases in DA and Dopac levels of ME was observed in those long-term-treated rats displaying good sexual behavior but not in the sexually refractory females. Further, a significant increase in DA concentration in the preoptic-anterior hypothalamic area of the sexually refractory females was observed. These data are interpreted to suggest that severe and chronic elevations in circulating levels of prolactin, induced by chronic ovarian steroid treatment, are not universally associated with a disruption of sexual behavior and increased dopaminergic function in the ME, seen in females with normal sexual behavior, was conspicuously absent in female rats that became refractory to the sexual-behavior-inducing effects of ovarian steroids.

Animals↗

Teachers' and parents' reports on 3- to 6-year-old children's sexual behavior--a comparison.

OBJECTIVES: The main purpose of the study was to compare observed range and frequency of sexual behavior in 3- to 6-year-olds in two different environments: the home and the daycare center. The study also aimed to investigate parental and staff opinions on child sexual behavior. METHODS: Parents and daycare teachers of 185 preschool children, from different socio-economic housing areas, answered extensive questionnaires about each child's sexual and general behavior. They were also asked about their own opinions on child sexual behavior. RESULTS: Parents observed significantly more sexual behavior in their children at home compared to teachers' observations at the daycare centers in all age groups, while teachers reported more general behavior problems. Significant gender differences on sexual behavior were displayed at the daycare centers but not at home. Rare behaviors at home were also very unusual at the daycare center. Parental and staff attitudes toward child sexuality were quite open, although 67% of the parents and 41% of the teachers never spoke to the children on sexual matters. One fifth of the adults used no term for genitals at all, and even fewer had a name for girls' genitals. The findings indicate that young children explore their sexuality more at home than in settings with groups of children where the daily activities may be more structured and monitored. It enhances the importance of looking at the context in which the sexual behavior is taking place when investigating problematic sexual behavior.

Adult↗

[A retrospective study on the association of sexual behavior during pregnancy with intrauterine infection of hepatitis B virus].

OBJECTIVE: Case-control study was employed to explore the association of sexual behavior during pregnancy and hepatitis B virus (HBV) intrauterine infection. METHODS: 212 HBsAg positive pregnant women were consecutively collected and investigated as objects. Those neonates detected for HBsAg with S/N value > or = 5 by Abbott reagents in periphery sera were selected as cases, others as controls. Information on sexual behavior during pregnancy, maternal HBeAg status and other factors was collected, and were analyzed with univariate analysis, multivariate logistic regression analysis, etc, to explore the association of factors with HBV intrauterine infection. RESULTS: Ten of the 214 neonates were validated as occurrence of HBV intrauterine infection. Sexual behavior in the second trimester during pregnancy, with odd ratios 9.15 (95% CI: 1.10 - 76.28), as well as maternal positivity for HBeAg and HBV DNA, was significantly associated with HBV intrauterine infection, and sequently affirmed by multiple logistic regression analysis. The strength of association increased with frequency of sexual behavior. Interaction analysis suggested that there was synergistic interaction between maternal positivity of HBeAg and sexual behavior in the second trimester. CONCLUSION: Sexual behavior was a newly discovered risk factor for HBV intrauterine infection, which need to be estimated in future studies. Inhibition of virus replication and moderate control of sexual behavior would be helpful to prevent HBV intrauterine infection.

Case-Control Studies↗

High school athletic participation, sexual behavior and adolescent pregnancy: a regional study.

PURPOSE: To determine whether high school athletic participation among adolescents in Western New York was associated with reduced rates of sexual behavior and pregnancy involvement. METHODS: A secondary analysis of data from the Family and Adolescent Study, a longitudinal study of a random sample of adolescents (ages 13-16 years) from 699 families living in households in Western New York. A general population sample was obtained with characteristics closely matching the census distributions in the area. Interview and survey methods provided data on athletic participation, frequency of sexual relations during the past year, and risk for pregnancy. Bivariate correlations were used to examine relationships among athletic participation, demographic and control variables, and measures of sexual behavior and pregnancy rates. Next, path analyses were done in order to test for hypothesized relationships between athletic participation, sexual behavior, and pregnancy involvement while controlling for age, race, income, family cohesion, and non-athletic forms of extracurricular activity. Variables that were significantly associated with sexual behavior and/or pregnancy involvement were presented for both sexes within the resulting multivariate models. RESULTS: Lower income and higher rates of sexual activity were associated with higher rates of pregnancy involvement for both sexes. Family cohesion was associated with lower sexual activity rates for both sexes. For girls, athletic participation was directly related to reduced frequency of sexual behavior and, indirectly, to pregnancy risk. Male athletes did not exhibit lower rates of sexual behavior and involvement with pregnancy than male non-athletes. Boys who participated in the arts, however, did report lower rates of sexual behavior and, indirectly, less involvement with pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Female adolescents who participated in sports were less likely than their non-athletic peers to engage in sexual activity and/or report a pregnancy. Among male adolescents, athletic participation was unrelated to sexual behavior and pregnancy involvement. Teen pregnancy prevention efforts for girls should consider utilizing sport as a strategic tool.

Adolescent↗

Developmental theory and adolescent sexual behavior.

Although substantial research exists regarding adolescent sexual behavior, there is no unifying framework. In this article, a developmental framework is applied to the subject of adolescent sexual behavior.

Adolescent↗

AIDS risk reduction recommendations and sexual behavior patterns among gay men: a multifactorial categorical approach to assessing change.

A sample of 745 New York City gay men, aged 20-65, were interviewed in 1985 as part of a longitudinal effort to determine the behavioral, psychological, and social impact of the AIDS epidemic on the non-ill but at-risk community. Detailed sexual behavior histories were taken for the year prior to the interview (1984-1985) and the year prior to when respondents first heard about AIDS (mode = July 1981). Parallel questions were asked for each annual time period allowing pre-AIDS/post-AIDS comparisons to be conducted. A multifactorial index of sexual behavior was constructed from three categorical variables: number of different sexual partners, (0, 1, and 2 or more); engaging in sexual contact outside a private home, (0, vs. 1); and engaging in sexual acts considered to be of higher risk for exposure to disease pathogens (0 vs. 1). These three factors, representing aspects of sexual behavior targeted for change by authors of risk reduction educational materials, were combined to form a seven-level typological index of sexual behavior. Analyses are based on comparisons between pre- and post-AIDS time periods on this index. Results indicate that both substantial change and substantial lack of change have occurred in gay male sexual behavior patterns, when sexual behavior measures are scaled to reflect complete abstinence from a particular type of sexual activity, as they are here. Results are discussed in light of previously reported findings on sexual behavior changes and the ambiguity surrounding the question of how much change is needed for significant risk reduction of AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

The effects of olfactory bulbectomy and chronic psychosocial stress on serum glucocorticoids and sexual behavior in female rats.

The effects of olfactory bulb removal (OBX) and chronic psychosocial stress on serum glucocorticoids and sexual behavior were assessed in female rats primed with a subthreshold level of estradiol (E2). Ovariectomized females underwent either OBX or sham surgery. Half of the OBX and half of the sham animals were exposed to chronic psychosocial stress (crowding, strobe light, and intermittent noise) for one-half h per day for 27 days. On day 22, three blood samples were collected from each animal for serum corticosterone analysis; 1) before, 2) during, and 3) after acute stress (one-half h restraint). On day 28, females were exposed to either 4 or 24 h of E2. On day 29, all females received 500 micrograms progesterone (P) 4 h prior to sexual behavior testing. Sexual receptivity was measured using the lordosis quotient (LQ = [number of lordotic responses/10 mounts] x 100). Sexual proceptivity (dart and ear wiggling sequences) and rejection (number of nonlordotic responses to mount attempts) were measured throughout a 10-min test period. Results showed that chronic psychosocial stress dramatically increased sexual receptivity and proceptivity while decreasing sexual rejection in female rats primed with a subthreshold level of E2. Chronic psychosocial stress also elevated serum glucocorticoids and significantly exacerbated the glucocorticoid response to acute stress. OBX, while increasing sexual receptivity and decreasing sexual rejection, had no effect on serum glucocorticoids. These findings support the hypothesis that OBX potentiates female sexual behavior directly through an increase in neural sensitivity to E2. In contrast, the enhancing effect of chronic psychosocial stress on female sexual behavior may result from alterations of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal system.

Animals↗

Effects of LY163502, a D2 dopaminergic agonist, on the sexual behavior of male rats.

LY163502, a selective D2 receptor agonist, has been reported to stimulate sexual behavior in both copulating and noncopulating male rats. Three experiments were conducted to further characterize the role of dopamine on male sexual behavior. In the first experiment, quinelorane (LY163502) was directly infused into the medial preoptic area (MPOA) of castrated males either alone or in combination with subphysiological levels of testosterone (T) exposure. The results showed that male sexual behavior was not affected by infusion of LY163502 alone, subphysiological T levels alone, or the combination of LY163502 and subphysiological T levels. For the second experiment, all animals received physiological levels of T and MPOA infusions of LY163502 or saline. The results showed an earlier restoration of male sexual behavior in the LY163502 group when compared to the T-only group. In the third study, noncopulating, gonadally intact males received SC injections of either LY163502 or saline 30 min prior to copulatory testing. The results showed that LY163502 induced a significant decrease in mount and intromission latencies after 14 days of drug exposure. From these results, we conclude a) that D2 receptors play a role in the facilitation of male sexual behavior and b) that the action of dopamine at D2 receptors requires the presence of T.

Animals↗