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PubMedDate not supplied

The association between multiple youth assets and sexual behavior.

PURPOSE: To investigate the possible positive cumulative effects that youth assets may have on youth sexual behaviors. DESIGN: Cross-sectional data were collected from a randomly selected population by in-home, in-person interviews. Mantel-Haenszel chi-square test and logistic regression were conducted to determine the potential cumulative effects that youth assets may have on youth sexual behaviors and to test for significant asset by sexual risk behavior trends. SETTING: Racially diverse inner-city neighborhoods in two midwestern cities. Subjects. Teenagers (n = 1350; mean age = 15.2 years) and parents of the teenagers (n = 1350). The response rate was 51%. MEASURES: Demographic factors, nine youth assets, and five sexual behavior outcomes. RESULTS: Significant (p < .05) trends and odds ratios (ORs) were found for three of the five youth sexual behavior outcomes. Youths with more assets were more likely to have never participated in sexual intercourse (OR = 1.32). Of sexually active youths, those with more assets were more likely to have delayed first intercourse until at least 17 years of age (OR = 1.47) and to have used birth control at last sexual intercourse (OR = 1.18). Nonsignificant (p > .05) results were found for current sexual activity and number of sexual partners. CONCLUSIONS: The results generally support the notion that the more assets adolescents possess, the more likely they are to engage in positive behavior. Practitioners planning asset-based teenage pregnancy prevention programs might consider promoting several specific youth assets.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

The social context for risky sexual behavior among adolescents.

This study supports a model of adolescents' risky sexual behavior in which this behavior is seen as a product of the same peer and family factors which influence a wide range of problem behaviors. The Patterson et al. (1992) model of peer and parental factors associated with adolescents' sexual risk-taking behavior was tested on three independent samples of adolescents, ages 14 through 18. Adolescents whose peers were reported to engage in diverse problem behaviors were more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior. Poor parental monitoring and parent-child coercive interactions were associated having deviant peers, and poor parental monitoring also had a direct relationship to risky sexual behavior. Family involvement was associated with fewer parent-child coercive interactions. Less availability of parental figures in the family was directly associated with risky sexual behavior and was also associated with poorer parental monitoring.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Apomorphine facilitates male sexual behavior of rhesus monkeys.

In the present study, a novel sexual behavior paradigm was used to study the effects of the dopamine agonist, apomorphine, on male sexual behavior of rhesus monkeys. In Experiment 1, the effects of apomorphine treatment were assessed by observing the behavioral responses of male rhesus to a sexually receptive female monkey that they could see, hear, and smell, but could not physically contact. Apomorphine treatment produced a spectrum of behavioral effects that differed depending on the dose of drug administered. Low doses of apomorphine (25-100 micrograms/kg) stimulated yawning, moderate doses (50-200 micrograms/kg) facilitated male sexual responses associated with the genitals including penile erection and masturbation, and high doses (greater than 200 micrograms/kg) elicited stereotypic behavior. Experiment 2 examined whether the behavioral responses of male monkeys to apomorphine treatment were influenced by the stimulus female. Apomorphine treatment facilitated penile erections in tests in which a stimulus female was present, but did not facilitate erections in tests in which she was absent. In sum, these experiments provide preliminary evidence that dopaminergic mechanisms may play a role in the regulation of male sexual behavior of rhesus monkeys.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Sexual behavior, human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV 16) infection, and HPV 16 seropositivity.

BACKGROUND: Sexual behaviors have been linked to seropositivity for human papillomavirus (HPV) but not with the magnitude of the seroreactivity. GOALS: The objective of this analysis was to examine the association of sexual behavior, cervical HPV 16 DNA positivity at enrollment (past) and at diagnosis (current), and other potential determinants with the likelihood and magnitude of HPV 16 seropositivity at diagnosis. STUDY DESIGN: With use of stored specimens from an incidence case-control study at Kaiser Permanente (Portland, OR), women were tested for seroreactivity to HPV 16 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with virus-like particles at diagnosis and were tested for past and concurrent cervical HPV 16 DNA positivity with MY09/MY11 L1 consensus primer PCR. Questionnaire data were used to ascertain past sexual behavior. RESULTS: Increased lifetime number of sex partners (P(Trend) < 0.001), past HPV 16 DNA positivity (odds ratio = 6.9; 95% confidence interval = 1.5-31), and a current cytologic diagnosis (P(Trend) < 0.03) were independently associated with HPV 16 seropositivity. Among the seropositive, only lifetime number of sex partners (P(Trend) < 0.001) and past HPV 16 DNA positivity (P = 0.003) were independently associated with mean signal strength (optical density) in an age-adjusted analysis. Women negative for past and concurrent HPV 16 DNA had a significant trend of increasing optical densities associated with greater numbers of lifetime partners (P(Trend) < 0.001). Conversely, the mean signal strength for those women who were ever HPV 16 DNA-positive during the study did not depend on lifetime numbers of sex partners (P(Trend) = 0.36). CONCLUSIONS: HPV 16 seropositivity is a surrogate for past HPV 16 infection. Circulating levels of antibodies to HPV 16 may reflect recent HPV 16 infection or the frequency of past HPV 16 infection.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Sexual behavior risk factors associated with bacterial vaginosis and Chlamydia trachomatis infection.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Few studies have demonstrated that bacterial vaginosis (BV) is associated with sexual behavior risk factors similar to those for other sexually transmitted diseases. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of these factors in a multivariate analysis of data from women infected with BV and Chlamydia trachomatis, and noninfected control subjects. GOALS: To study detailed sexual behavior risk factors reported by women with BV versus genital C. trachomatis infection (CT) and by non-BV-infected controls. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,011 women (Swedish Women's Health Study) recruited from family planning and youth clinics in Eskilstuna and Stockholm, Sweden (November, 1989-January, 1991). Participants were evaluated for the presence of BV, CT, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Treponema pallidum, Trichomonas vaginalis, and human immunodeficiency virus, and interviewed in detail with respect to sexual behaviors. Statistical comparisons were made using chi-square test (Pearson and likelihood ratio), t test, and logistic regression multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Of 956 women eligible for analysis, the prevalence of BV and CT was 13.7% and 8.9%, respectively. The comparison group consisted of the remaining 825 women without BV. After excluding those with concomitant CT infection, there were 118 women with BV who were compared with 72 women with CT infection only. Sexual factors associated with BV versus the comparison group were a short-term relationship before and after sexual debut, high number of lifetime sexual partners, multiple partners during the last month, high orgasm ability, and more frequent history of group sex, sexual abuse, and rape. When the BV group was compared with the CT group, there were no significant differences in sexual activity risk factors, except for a higher frequency of experience of casual sex in the CT group. CONCLUSIONS: Bacterial vaginosis is associated with sexual behavior risk factors similar to those associated with genital CT infection.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Inhibitory action of halothane on rat masculine sexual behavior and sperm motility.

Adult male rats were exposed to inhale halothane in the following regime: 15 ppm/4 h/5 days/week/9 weeks. Sexual behavior observations and sperm motility test were made before halothane exposure (0 days) and at 15, 30, 45 and 60 days of exposure. Fifteen days after halothane exposure, this anesthetic inhibited the proportion of animals displaying ejaculation. In those animals ejaculating, halothane produced an inhibition of masculine sexual behavior reflected as an increase in the intromission latency, number of mounts and postejaculatory interval. At 30 days after exposure, only an increase in the intromission latency was observed. At 45 and 60 days, the inhibitory effect of halothane on sexual behavior disappeared. Similarly, at 15 and 30 days, but not at 45 or 60 days of halothane exposure, a reduced sperm motility was observed. Such transient effects of halothane suggest the development of tolerance to the inhibitory actions of this anesthetic on sexual behavior and sperm motility. These halothane effects are in line with an inhibition of masculine sexual behavior after stimulation of the GABAergic system.

Administration, Inhalation↗

PubMed2006

Food deprivation and the role of estradiol in mediating sexual behaviors in meadow voles.

Female mammals are particularly sensitive to changes in food availability. The mechanisms that affect sexual behavior and food intake are closely related to one another; chief among the mechanisms that control sexual behaviors in females is estradiol. In order to understand how food deprivation results in inhibition of sexual behavior (attractivity, proceptivity, and receptivity), we measured the effects of food deprivation on circulating concentrations of estradiol. We also determined whether estradiol treatment was sufficient to restore sexual behaviors in food-deprived female meadow voles. We found that estradiol titers of food-deprived female voles are significantly lower than those of ad lib-fed female voles. Further, we found that estradiol treatment was sufficient to restore proceptivity and receptivity in food-deprived, ovariectomized female voles. However, estradiol treatment was not able to overcome the food deprivation-induced inhibition of attractivity. Thus, decreases in estradiol titer of food-deprived female voles may be related to the suppression of their proceptive and receptive behaviors, and may be a mechanism that allows females to avoid mating when conditions are not propitious for their survival and that of their offspring.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1996

Dopamine and sexual behavior in the male rabbit.

Male rabbits were treated with the dopamine releasing drug amphetamine or the dopamine D1/D2 receptor antagonist cis(Z)-flupenthixol. Amphetamine, 1 to 4 mg/kg, had no effect on sexual behavior. Flupenthixol, 2 mg/kg, reduced the proportion of rabbits that ejaculated and the number of ejaculations per test. Lower doses were ineffective. Castrated males were treated with both drugs at two intervals after castration, 19-21 and 27-29 days postcastration, respectively. Amphetamine was without effect while flupenthixol, 1 mg/kg, reduced sexual behavior at the test 19-21 days postcastration. At the second test, sexual behavior was almost completely absent in control animals. Therefore, no further reduction could be observed after treatment with flupenthixol. Another group of animals was castrated and given androgen replacement. Testosterone decanoate was injected once weekly at a dose of 3 mg/kg. This treatment maintained a stable, low sexual activity. In these animals, amphetamine was again ineffective whereas flupenthixol, 1 mg/kg, inhibited sexual behavior. Gross motor function was evaluated in a water escape test. Amphetamine was inactive, and the effective dose of flupenthixol was 10 mg/kg. This dose is far above the dose required for inhibiting sexual behavior. In sum, facilitated dopaminergic transmission does not seem to affect on sexual behavior in the male rabbit, whereas reduced dopaminergic activity disrupts this behavior.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

beta-adrenergic modulation of male sexual behavior elicited from the medial preoptic area in rats.

This study was aimed at investigating the role of the adrenergic mechanism in the medial preoptic area (mPOA) in sexual arousal and copulatory performance. Saline, norepinephrine (NE), phenoxybenzamine (PBZ) and propranolol (PROP) were injected into the mPOA in different groups of rats. NE application (3 micrograms) facilitated the male sexual behavior by increasing sexual arousal and copulatory performance. On the other hand, application of PROP and PBZ produced inhibition of male sexual behavior. Effects produced by low doses of PROP were more significant than PBZ. The results, viewed in the light of other available reports, suggest that the mPOA beta-adrenergic mechanism is important in the elaboration of male sexual behavior.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Disorder of neuroendocrine regulation of sexual behavior of male rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes].

The present paper presents studies of the sexual behavior characteristics and the associated changes of LH releasing factor and of sex hormone receptor concentrations in hypothalamic regions involved in the regulation of sexual behavior activity and hypophyseal gonadotropic function (the anterior preoptic and mediobasal regions) of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. The activities of both motivational and copulative components of sex behavior of such rats were found reduced. These changes were parallelled by LH-RH reduction in the median eminence and in the synaptosomal fraction of the anterior preoptic and mediobasal regions. An increased concentration of estradiol nuclear receptors was found in the anterior preoptic region, that may be responsible for the male feminization in diabetes and for weaker male sexual activity parameters. Blood levels of LH and FSH in experimental rats were virtually the same as in the reference animals, whereas prolactin and testosterone levels were reduced in the presence of elevated estradiol content. The majority of the detected hormonal shifts and sexual behavior characteristics normalized after compensatory insulin therapy. The authors come to a conclusion on the neuroendocrine disorders at the level of the CNS in animals with experimental diabetes during the formation of the motivational and copulative components of sexual behavior.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Organizational effects of estrogens on brain vasotocin and sexual behavior in quail.

Reproductive behavior is sexually differentiated in quail: The male-typical copulatory behavior is never observed in females even after treatment with high doses of testosterone (T). This sex difference in behavioral responsiveness to T is organized during the embryonic period by the exposure of female embryo to estrogens. We showed recently that the sexually dimorphic medial preoptic nucleus (POM), a structure that plays a key role in the activation of male copulatory behavior, is innervated by a dense steroid-sensitive network of vasotocin-immunoreactive (VT-ir) fibers in male quail This innervation is almost completely absent in the female POM and is not induced by a chronic treatment with T, suggesting that this neurochemical difference could be organizational in nature. This idea was tested by injecting fertilized quail eggs of both sexes on day 9 of incubation with either estradiol benzoate (EB) (25 microg, a treatment that suppresses the capacity to show copulatory behavior in adulthood) or the aromatase inhibitor R76713 (10 microg, a treatment that makes adult females behaviorally responsive to T), or with the solvents as a control (C). At 3 weeks posthatch, all subjects were gonadectomized and later implanted with Silastic capsules filled with T. Two weeks later, all birds were perfused and brain sections were processed for VT immunocytochemistry. Despite the similarity of the adult endocrine conditions of the subjects (all were gonadectomized and treated with T Silastic implants providing the same plasma level of steroid to all subjects), major qualitative differences were observed in the density of VT-ir structures in the POM of the different groups. Dense immunoreactive structures (fibers and a few cells) were observed in the POM of C males but not females; EB males had completely lost this immunoreactivity (and lost the capacity to display copulatory behavior); and, conversely, R76713 females displayed a male-typical VT-ir system in the nucleus (and also high levels of copulatory behavior). Similar changes in immunoreactivity were seen in the nucleus of the stria terminalis and in the lateral septum (VT-ir fibers only in this case) but not in the magnocellular vasotocinergic system. These neurochemical changes closely parallel the effects of the embryonic treatments on male copulatory behavior. The vasotocinergic system of the POM can therefore be considered an accurate marker of the sexual differentiation of brain circuits mediating this behavior.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1991

Inability to predict the adult sexual performance of bulls by prepuberal sexual behaviors.

The objective of this investigation was to determine the extent to which the sexual performance of adult bulls (18 to 24 mo of age) can be predicted by prepuberal sexual behaviors. Tests were administered to 121 polled Hereford bulls to determine whether adult sexual performance (especially serving capacity or ejaculation rate) was related to 1) whether or not the subjects mounted estrous females at 6 mo of age, 2) the age at which the bulls attained their first ejaculation, 3) the frequency of sexual behaviors exhibited in heterosexual interactions and 4) the frequency of male-male mounting exhibited in all-male groups. None of the above measures reliably predicted adult serving capacity. Prepuberal interest in mounting other males and estrous females and the age at which ejaculatory competence was attained bore little relationship to serving capacity at 18 to 24 mo. Individual differences in rate of ejaculation were consistent from one age to another only after the bulls had reached 18 mo. We concluded that the sexual behaviors of prepuberal beef bulls were of limited usefulness in predicting adult sexual performance.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Changes in the sexual behavior of couples after prostatectomy. A prospective study.

Sexual behavior after prostatectomy was observed in 90 couples, with a follow-up of 3-6 years. Retropubic prostatectomy was performed on 53 patients (58.7%), transvesical prostatectomy on 12 patients (13.7%), and transurethral prostatectomy on 25 patients (27.7%). In order to have a reliable figure of the sexual behavior after surgery, all the couples underwent personal interviews separately before and 3-6 years after surgery. The interview included 4 main subjects: erection allowing sexual intercourse; antegrade ejaculation; orgasm, and libido. The separate identical double interviews were performed in order to achieve a high reliability in answer to sexual performance, this being the main unsolved question in previous studies. The results of the interviews were assessed by a computer-processing program and statistically analyzed. Our results imply that prostatectomy has an unfavorable influence on sexual activity: 33% of the potent preoperative patients became impotent after surgery.

Aged↗

PubMed1995

Sexual behavior of homeless mentally ill men at risk for HIV.

OBJECTIVE: The authors investigated sexual behaviors related to HIV transmission among homeless mentally ill men in a New York City shelter. A previous study of a similar population found HIV prevalence to be 19%. METHODS: In standardized interviews with 122 men, data on sexual behaviors for the previous 6 months were collected. The frequency and nature of sexual episodes that may facilitate HIV transmission were examined. In addition, sexual risk behaviors among broadly defined diagnostic groups were compared. RESULTS: Of the 122 men, 65 (53%) had sex, 56 with women and 20 with men (11 who had sex with both women and men are counted in each group). The sexually active men, in most cases, had only occasional sex (once per month or less). The majority of sexually active men--29 (52%) of those who had sex with women and 12 (60%) of those who had sex with men--had sex without a condom and with nonmonogamous partners. Comorbid cocaine abuse or dependence was significantly associated with high-risk sexual behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of these men had sex occasionally or not at all. Nonetheless, because many of them had unprotected sex with nonmonogamous partners, the few sexual episodes may have carried an appreciable risk of HIV transmission. Moreover, men with a comorbid cocaine dependence may represent a group with an especially high risk for sexual HIV transmission. The authors propose that in this population, preventive interventions could modify the nature, if not the frequency, of sexual episodes.

Adult↗

PubMed1986

Effects of prostaglandin F2 alpha on sexual behavior and ovarian function in female garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis).

Sexual behavior, plasma steroid hormone levels, and ovarian growth of female red-sided garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis) treated with prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha; 0.5-5.0 micrograms/g BW) were observed. The largest dose of PGF2 alpha significantly inhibited receptivity (mating) within 0.5 h of treatment and resulted in a significant decrease in sexual attractively 24 h later. These changes precisely parallel those seen in females that have mated. Lower doses of PGF2 alpha significantly increased the latency of females to mate by 3-fold in both the laboratory and the field. In contrast to the inhibitory effects of PGF2 alpha on sexual behavior, females injected with PG had levels of steroid hormones (progesterone, testosterone, 17 beta-estradiol, and corticosterone) similar to those in unmated controls 24 h after treatment, while females that had mated 24 h previously had significantly elevated plasma levels of 17 beta-estradiol. There was no significant difference in the incidence of vitellogenesis 6-8 weeks later among unmated females, unmated females treated with PG, and mated females. These results suggest that complex neuroendocrine responses occur after mating. One response may involve mating-induced release of PGs and suppression of sexual behavior, while a second independent response may involve a PG-independent mechanism that influences ovarian function. These findings are interpreted within the context of the garter snake's reproductive physiology and ecology.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Effects of short- and long-term REM sleep deprivation on sexual behavior in male rats.

The influence of selective REM sleep deprivation on masculine sexual behavior has been a matter of controversy. In the present study, the sexual behavior of male rats was analyzed in subjects deprived on REM sleep by the island technique for 24 or 16 h daily during 20 days. When compared to control rats, both groups displayed changes in sexual performance since the first day. The effects were: an increase in mount, intromission and ejaculation latencies and in mount frequency as well; a decrease of ejaculation frequency and of the Hit rate. The effects became stronger as REM sleep deprivation progressed. Rats deprived of REM sleep for 24 h were extremely debilitated after 12 days and some of them died, whereas the rats REM deprived for 16 h remained healthy during the 20 days. These data indicate that REM sleep deprivation interferes with the mechanisms that regulate male sexual behavior.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Sexual behavior of male rats is differentially affected by timing of perinatal ACTH administration.

The laboratory rat was used as a model to investigate the effect of pre- and/or postnatal ACTH administration on sexual differentiation of the brain. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with ACTH 1-24 (10 micrograms/kg/2x/day or 500 micrograms/kg/2x/day); postnatally treated neonates were injected with the above dosages once a day. Perinatal treatment with ACTH (10 micrograms/kg/2x/day) altered several sexual behavior measurements, but did not have an overall effect on the number of males that exhibited sexual behavior. At a higher dose (500 micrograms/kg/2x/day) prenatal ACTH administration decreased sexual behavior in male rats, as measured by an increase in the percent of males that did not mount or intromit. In contrast, all males treated postnatally with ACTH (500 micrograms/kg/2x/day) completed 2 ejaculatory series and initiated a third series. No significant differences were observed in adult plasma testosterone or prolactin levels; however, serotonin levels in the preoptic area of adult male rats treated prenatally with ACTH (500 micrograms/kg/2x/day) were significantly higher than in prenatally treated saline males. In addition, an increase in plasma ACTH in adulthood was observed in animals injected postnatally with saline. This study indicates that the decrease in sexual behavior observed in males treated prenatally with ACTH is associated with increased serotonin levels in the preoptic area, which suggests that ACTH may act as a neuromodulator during sexual differentiation of the brain. It also demonstrates that the effect of perinatal manipulations on the development of male sexual behavior may vary depending on the ontogenetic period of the brain.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed2026

Parents' Awareness of Their Adolescents' Sexual Behaviors and Experiences: A Concordance Analysis.

PURPOSE: Adolescence is a developmental period during which sexual exploration is normative. Parental awareness of adolescents' sexual behaviors can be protective during this stage; however, research suggests both parents and adolescents tend to avoid open conversations about these sensitive issues. This study aimed to examine concordance between parent proxy-reports and adolescent self-reports across three domains of adolescents' sexual behaviors and experiences. METHODS: Data were collected from a national sample of 522 parent-adolescent dyads (aged 15-17 years) from the AmeriSpeak panel (data collected May-September 2022). Prevalence-adjusted bias-adjusted kappa (PABAK) statistics were calculated to evaluate agreement. RESULTS: Findings revealed weak-to-moderate concordance regarding adolescents sending and receiving sexual photos (PABAKs = 0.54-0.79), whereas stronger concordance was observed for experiences related to nonconsensual sharing of sexual photos (PABAKs = 0.92-0.94), with high agreement largely driven by low reported prevalence of these experiences. Strong concordance regarding whether adolescents had ever had sex (PABAK = 0.80) was largely driven by both parents and adolescents reporting the adolescent had not had sex. Concordance regarding sexually transmitted infection and pregnancy prevention methods varied, ranging from weak to strong agreement across specific methods (or lack thereof; PABAKs = -0.07-0.79). DISCUSSION: Results highlight significant discrepancies in parents' knowledge about their adolescents' sexual behaviors and experiences. Interventions aimed at enhancing trust and open dialogue between parents and adolescents about sexuality-related topics, as well as ensuring adolescents have a variety of trusted sources to consult for sexual information, can help adolescents make informed sexual health decisions.

Humans↗