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PubMed1992

Effects of unilateral hypothalamic manipulations on the sexual behaviors of rats.

Four experiments that assessed the contributions of each side of the hypothalamus to the control of sexual behavior found the following. (a) Exposing the left, but not the right, ventromedial nucleus to estrogen neonatally defeminized sexual behavior in female rats. This asymmetry did not reverse as sexual differentiation progressed. (b) Unilateral cuts lateral to the medial preoptic area disrupted mounting in females that had mounted regularly before surgery, when given testosterone. The deficits were greater when the cuts were on the left side, but a third of the females with unilateral cuts showed severe deficits regardless of the side. (c) Comparable cuts did not impair masculine sexual behavior in gonadally intact males. In fact, left-side cuts seemed to accelerate copulation in males. (d) Unilateral lesions of the ventromedial nucleus disrupted lordosis in female rats in an essentially all-or-none fashion. This effect did not vary with side.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Progesterone facilitation and inhibition of estradiol-induced sexual behavior in the female goat.

The effect of progesterone (P4) on estradiol (E2)-induced sexual behaviors in ovariectomized French-Alpine goats, during both the breeding (fall) and the nonbreeding (spring) seasons, was examined. Progesterone facilitated E2-induced attractivity and receptivity in the nonbreeding season when P4 treatment occurred 48 or 72 hr prior to treatment with E2. During the breeding season, P4 facilitated attractivity when treatment occurred 72 hr prior to E2 injection. In contrast, P4 inhibited all sexual behaviors when treatment occurred 12 or 24 hr prior to injection of E2. Progesterone did not facilitate E2-induced proceptivity in either the breeding or the nonbreeding seasons. These findings demonstrate that both season and temporal sequence of P4 and E2 administration affect sexual behavior in ovariectomized French-Alpine goats.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Male sexual behavior is associated with LHRH neuron number in middle-aged rats.

LHRH administration is reported to facilitate male sexual behavior. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether male sexual behavior is associated with the number of LHRH neurons in the forebrain in middle-aged rats. Male Long-Evans rats (18-19 months) were assigned to three groups on the basis of sexual performance: (1) group MEI consisted of rats showing complete copulatory patterns, including mounts, intromissions and ejaculations, (2) group MI was composed of rats showing mounts and intromissions, but no ejaculation and (3) group NC were non-copulators, i.e. they did not show any copulatory behavior. Young adult rats (4-5 months), displaying sexual behavior, were used as controls. Following the sexual behavior tests, the number of LHRH neurons in the medial septum (MS), organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT), preoptic area (POA) and anterior hypothalamus (AH) was determined by immunocytochemistry. No difference was seen in the total number of LHRH neurons in these combined brain areas between group MIE and young controls. In the three middle-aged groups, the total number of LHRH neurons was greatest in group MIE, less in group MI, and lowest in group NC. In general, a similar trend was seen separately in the MS, OVLT and POA. These results suggest that changes in the number of LHRH neurons in the forebrain, in most cases, are age-related, at least in the middle-aged rats, but they also seem to be associated with male sexual performance.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Selectively bred male rat lines differ in naïve and experienced sexual behavior.

Ejaculatory behavior is facilitated by activating 5-hydroxytryptamine(1A) (5-HT(1A)) receptors. The present study examined male sexual behavior in rat lines that were selectively bred for their different hypothermic responses to 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT). Sexual behavior was examined in naïve and experienced HDS (high 8-OH-DPAT sensitive), LDS (low 8-OH-DPAT sensitive), and RDS (randomly bred) rats lines. In addition, the effects of 8-OH-DPAT (0.05 mg/kg) and N-(2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl)-N-(2-pyridinyl)-cyclohexane-carboxamide (WAY 100,635; 1 mg/kg) were examined. Naïve HDS animals had diminished ejaculatory behavior (as indicated by a decreased number of intromissions, mounts and ejaculations, increased ejaculation and intromission latency, and longer inter-copulatory interval), compared to the LDS and RDS groups. In addition, the post-ejaculatory interval (PEI) was longer in the HDS group. With experience, the HDS group improved its ejaculatory behavior. Experienced HDS animals had a lower number of intromissions and a longer PEI compared to the LDS group. 8-OH-DPAT facilitated ejaculatory behavior in both HDS and LDS groups. This effect was more pronounced in the LDS group. WAY 100,635 did not alter sexual behavior in either group. In summary, alteration in forebrain 5-HT(1A) receptors in HDS animals may be involved in the ability of naïve rats to achieve ejaculation. 5-HT(1A) receptors are involved in the regulation of resumption of sexual behavior after ejaculation.

8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin↗

PubMed2002

Clinic-based service programs for increasing responsible sexual behavior.

Three general classes of clinic-based programs to increase responsible sexual behavior are considered: (a) clinic-based educational/counseling programs, (b) school clinic-based condom distribution programs, and (c) clinic-based STD/HIV screening programs. Consistent condom use may double in response to clinic-based counseling. However, consistent use seldom exceeds 50% of coital exposures. Extensive and personalized counseling interventions reduce incident sexually transmitted infections by 5% to 10%. Increases in responsible sexual behavior following school-based condom distribution programs is reported in some but not in all studies. Screening programs for sexually transmitted infections are associated with decreases in rates of some infections. STD/HIV screening should be considered an important aspect of healthy sexuality and an adjunct to other counseling efforts.

Contraception↗

PubMed1984

Correlation of muscarinic receptor induction in the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus with the activation of feminine sexual behavior by estradiol.

The administration of the steroid hormone, 17 beta-estradiol (E2) to ovariectomized rats increases the levels of muscarinic cholinergic receptors by 20-40% in the hypothalamic area. Using microdissection techniques, this increase has been shown to occur in hypothalamic subregions that possess high levels of intracellular receptors for E2. Among these regions is the ventromedial nucleus (VMN), which may be the principal target site in the rat brain for the activation of feminine sexual behavior by E2. In this study, we have further characterized the increase in muscarinic binding within the VMN after E2 and show that it satisfies many of the criteria for an important regulatory mechanism by which E2 could activate sexual behavior: (1) Using quantitative receptor autoradiography, it was determined that the increase in [3H]-QNB binding in the VMN after E2 results from an increase in the number of receptors rather than a change in the affinity of the binding. (2) The increase in VMN muscarinic receptors as determined by the binding of [3H]-QNB to microdissected homogenates occurred by 18-24 h after exposure to E2, the earliest time at which sexual behavior is facilitated. (3) Increased muscarinic receptors did not occur in the VMN of male rats, which show little activation of feminine sexual behavior after E2 exposure. (4) Muscarinic receptors in the VMN of female rats are induced at 24 h by a 6 h exposure to E2, the minimum length of time that is sufficient for E2 to activate sexual behavior. A 4 h exposure to E2 is insufficient to activate both sexual behavior and induce muscarinic receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Permanent effects of prenatal exposure to diazepam on sexual behavior of male mice.

In previous work, we found effects of prenatal exposure to diazepam (DZ) on sexual behavior of adult mice. The aim of this work was to compare sexual behavior during their reproductive span of CD-1 strain male mice exposed in utero to DZ. One group of female mice was treated with DZ (2.5 mg/kg/day; s.c.) from 6th to 17th days of gestation and a control group received saline. The spontaneous offspring male sexual activity to receptive females was tested in 3 sessions (1/week) twice, on the 6th month of age and later on the 20th. Tests were performed during the dark stage of the photoperiod and video recorded under red light. During copulating stage adult DZ-treated males showed greater incidence of interruptions of intravaginal penetration, while senile DZ-treated males had lower latencies of mount series and greater proportion of ejaculations. Both adult and senile DZ-treated males exhibited a significant larger incidence of falls and pauses during mount series with intromission. Results show a permanent effect of prenatal exposure of DZ on sexual behavior.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Orexin A (hypocretin-1) application at the medial preoptic area potentiates male sexual behavior in rats.

The medial preoptic area plays an important role in the regulation of male sexual behavior in rats, and this area receives orexinergic inputs. The role of orexinergic inputs in the medial preoptic area in sexual behavior has not been studied, though they have been shown to play a role in some other physiological functions. In this study, the changes in male sexual behavior in rats were studied after local injection of orexin A (Hypocretin-1) at the medial preoptic area. The results of the study showed that orexin A application at the medial preoptic area increased sexual arousal as well as the copulatory performance. Sexual arousal is one of the physiological stimuli, which influences wakefulness. It is possible that the earlier reports showing increased wakefulness, on application of orexin A at the medial preoptic area/basal forebrain, has a contribution from sexual arousal.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Developmental and etiological characteristics of children with sexual behavior problems: treatment implications.

OBJECTIVE: Baseline data are reported on the demographics, psychological adjustment, victimization, and perpetration histories of 127 6- to 12-year-old children who have engaged in developmentally unexpected sexual behaviors. Information regarding the children's caregivers, and their extended families, is also presented. Data were collected during intake of the families into a longitudinal treatment outcome study. METHOD: A comprehensive battery of psychometric devices and a structured interview were completed with 127 children with sexual behavior problems and their primary caregivers at intake to a treatment outcome study. RESULTS: More than half of the children engaging in developmentally unexpected sexual behaviors had been abused both sexually and physically by more than two different perpetrators. One-third of the people who had maltreated these children were less than 18 years old. These children had acted out against an average of two other children. High levels of distress in the children and their caregivers were evident across a number of psychometric and historical variables. CONCLUSION: Children with sexual behavior problems exhibited a number of functional impairments commonly associated with maltreatment, including learning and psychiatric disorders. Their caregivers and families manifested several characteristics that deter children's recovery from maltreatment, including an impaired attachment between parent and child. The scope of the children's problems requires that treatment extend beyond the therapist's office to include schools and other agencies or individuals with whom the child and families have regular contact.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1984

Different roles of catecholaminergic and serotoninergic neurons of the medial forebrain bundle on male rat sexual behavior.

The medial forebrain bundle (MFB) plays an important role in the central elaboration of male sexual behavior. However the role of its ascending monoaminergic systems is not well understood. By selective lesions of catecholaminergic and serotoninergic axons of the MFB, produced with 6-OHDA and 5-7-DHT respectively, its possible involvement in male sexual behavior was studied. The evaluation of the behavioral patterns was studied by means of a microcomputer which also permitted the quantification of sequences in the sexual behavior patterns. Lesions with 5-7 DHT increased the intromission-ejaculation sequences and the percentage of ejaculatory males, without modifying other behavioral tests. Lesions with 6-OHDA diminished the number of "active" sexual patterns and motor activity. In order to check the specificity of the chemical lesions, the in vitro uptake of labeled norepinephrine and serotonin was measured, 5-7 DHT lesioned rats show a reduction in the uptake of 5-HT-C14 in the MPOA while 6-OHDA group show a reduction of NA-H3 in the striatum.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Strong decline in herpes simplex virus antibodies over time among young homosexual men is associated with changing sexual behavior.

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the change in sexual behavior among homosexual men observed after the start of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome epidemic resulted in a change in herpes simplex virus (HSV) seroprevalence in this group over time. In a cross-sectional study, the prevalence of herpesvirus types 1 (HSV1) and 2 (HSV2) was determined at study entry in 1984-1985 and 1995-1997 among 532 young (aged < or = 30 years) homosexual men participating in the Amsterdam Cohort Studies on HIV/AIDS. Risk factors for the presence of HSV antibodies, including human immunodeficiency virus infection, were evaluated, and their influence on HSV prevalence over time was assessed. A strong decrease in HSV1 and HSV2 seroprevalence, from 80.6% to 59.0% and from 51.3% to 19.0%, respectively, was observed between the two time periods. This decrease was not markedly influenced by various demographic and socioeconomic factors. After data were controlled for several markers of sexual activity (such as number of sex partners, human immunodeficiency virus infection, and past episode(s) of gonorrhea), it appeared that the decline in HSV seroprevalence was explained by a concurrent decrease in the presence of these markers. The authors conclude that among young homosexual men in this study, the strong decrease in HSV seroprevalence was associated with a concurrent shift in sexual behavior. Furthermore, these data suggest an increasing sexual component in HSV1 transmission over time.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Adolescent sexuality and sexual behavior.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Adolescence is a time of self-discovery and physical, as well as cognitive, development. It is within this context that adolescent sexual development and sexual behavior occur. While curiosity and experimentation are normal, sexual behaviors, both coital and non-coital, place adolescents at risk for undesired consequences including sexually transmitted disease acquisition and pregnancy. Trends in adolescent sexual behavior are changing, and health care professionals must be aware of these trends to provide necessary medical care and education to this population. RECENT FINDINGS: While the sexual activity of teenagers garners much attention, attention must also be directed at non-coital activities such as masturbation, mutual masturbation and oral sex, as the riskier of these behaviors appear to be increasing. The trends in sexual activity and contraceptive use are encouraging with a decrease in the proportion of adolescents reporting sexual activity, and an increase in the proportion reporting using contraception. These trends, however, are not shared equally among racial groups with the greatest decline reported in the in lowest risk groups. Sexual minority youth continue to report a higher prevalence of high-risk behaviors, both sexual and non-sexual, as compared to their heterosexual peers. SUMMARY: These findings highlight the multiple roles health care professionals can play in caring for this unique population: firstly as health care providers, offering age appropriate, confidential health care; secondly, as reproductive health care educators providing factual, balanced, and realistic information to both teenagers and the community; and thirdly, as advocates lobbying for greater education and services for this at-risk population.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Forebrain sites of estradiol-17 beta action on sexual behavior and aggression in female Syrian hamsters.

The effects of intracranial implants of estradiol in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), the anterior hypothalamus (AH), or the medial amygdala (AMG) on aggression, sexual behavior, and serum estradiol were examined in female Syrian hamsters. Estradiol implants in the VMH, followed by systemic progesterone, stimulated sexual behavior and inhibited aggression. Estradiol implants in other intracranial sites activated sexual behavior but did not reliably inhibit aggression. Intracranially implanted and systemically treated animals had equivalent peripheral estradiol concentrations at sacrifice. These results suggest that: (a) the VMH is an important neural site for estradiol actions on sexual and aggressive behavior, (b) the caudal AH and AMG also may be sites of estradiol action on sexual behavior, and (c) these intracranial implants may only be effective given systemic estradiol exposure or the concurrent stimulation of multiple brain areas.

Aggression↗

PubMed1987

Sexual behavior in healthy married elderly men.

Sexual behavior was evaluated in 81 men aged 60-71 years (34 men aged 60-65 years and 47 men aged 66-71 years). All subjects were married, physically healthy, and with no psychopathology or marital problems. Sexual function was evaluated by a self-report three-point rating scale. Thirty-six percent of the whole study population reported impotence, with no significant difference between the two age groups. About half of the total population reported regular masturbatory activity. A decline in frequency of sexual intercourse and an increase in frequency of masturbation in subjects aged 66-71 years as compared to subjects aged 60-65 indicates that the interest in sexuality continues in elderly men although the form of sexual expression changes from active sexual intercourse to a self-pleasuring/autoerotic form. Evaluation of sexual activity in advanced age is recommended and appropriate therapy in case of sexual dysfunction should be offered to elderly men.

Aged↗

PubMed1992

Longitudinal sexual behavior changes in injecting drug users.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether injection drug users (IDU) maintained sexual behavior risk reduction over an 18-month period that had been noted previously over a 4-month period. DESIGN: A repeated measures design was utilized with IDU assessed initially at study enrollment and again 18 months later. METHODS: Sexual behaviors of a group of 220 IDU (148 men and 72 women) were assessed by a structured interview at the start of an AIDS prevention project and again 18 months later. RESULTS: Having multiple sex partners during the 12 months before initial assessment was reported by 42.6% of the men and 35.7% of the women. Significantly fewer had multiple sex partners during the 10 months before follow-up assessment (men, 20.9%; women, 14.3%). Condom use for vaginal intercourse increased from a mean of 11.9% initially to 27.8% at follow-up for men. The increase in condom use was greater for those with multiple sex partners. Women did not report significant increases in condom use. Continued involvement in unsafe sexual behaviors was associated with exchanging sex for money or drugs, using drugs to help meet sexual needs, alcohol use and drug use. CONCLUSIONS: Risk reductions noted previously were maintained over 18 months for the majority of the sample. Drug-use treatment and interventions that closely examine the interplay between drug use and sexuality for individual IDU are recommended as strategies to further reduce the sexual risk of HIV transmission among IDU.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Seminal characteristics and sexual behavior in men of different age groups: is there an aging effect?

AIM: To assess the seminal characteristics as well as the sexual behavior of men of various age groups to establish the presence of an aging effect on those characteristics. METHODS: Semen samples were collected from men (n = 792) undergoing in vitro fertilization or intrauterine insemination in cases of female factor infertility only. Samples were collected using a seminal collection device at intercourse and evaluated manually according to World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Men were divided into four groups according to their ages: (i) 20-30, (ii) 31-40, (iii) 41-50 and (iv) 51-60 years, and their seminal characteristics and responses to a sexual behavior questionnaire were compared. RESULTS: The data showed statistically significant differences in the seminal characteristics tested, most notably in the sperm concentration, motility, grade of motility, hypo-osmotic swelling and normal sperm morphology. Furthermore, the decline in normal sperm morphology with age was more pronounced when using strict criteria rather than WHO standards. There were also differences in total sperm count, total motile sperm and total functional sperm fraction (assessed by both WHO and strict criteria). Significant differences were also observed in the sexual behavior patterns in older men in terms of the number of years they have been trying to conceive, sexual frequency and sexual satisfaction. CONCLUSION: The data clearly illustrate an aging effect on semen characteristics and sexual behavior in men as they age. It is suggested that the aging effect be taken into consideration when proposing normal standard values for semen characteristics in routine semen analysis as outlined by WHO standards.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Sexual behavior among HIV-positive men who have sex with men: what's in a label?

Relatively little attention has been paid to the use and importance of labels used by men who have sex with men to describe insertive or receptive sexual behavior during intercourse. This study examines sexual self-labels, sexual behavior, HIV transmission risk, and psychological functioning among 205 HIV-seropositive men who have sex with men. The majority of participants (88%) identified as a top, a bottom, or versatile. Tops were more likely to engage in insertive anal intercourse than bottoms, and bottoms were more likely to engage in receptive anal intercourse than tops, with versatiles reporting intermediate rates of both behaviors. Although the results suggest preliminary evidence regarding the predictive utility of self-labels, sexual behaviors of self-label groups were greatly overlapping. Differences were found among self-label groups in gay self-identification, internalized homophobia, sexual sensation seeking, and anxiety. Results suggest an added value in assessing self-labels in addition to asking about sexual behavior.

Demography↗

PubMed2000

Influence of abuse and partner hypermasculinity on the sexual behavior of Latinas.

This study investigated whether abuse and partner hypermasculinity influenced sexual behavior change among 46 Latinas (mean age = 34.5 years) who participated in an HIV prevention study. After completing a baseline interview, women were randomized to either an HIV prevention intervention or a health promotion control. Three months later, they took part in follow-up interviews, including an assessment of relationship characteristics. The majority (93%) of participants reported psychological abuse from their sexual partner during the study period, and over two fifths experienced physical abuse. Contrary to expectations, sexual behavior change was not related to abuse or partner hypermasculinity. However, women in the HIV prevention condition who gave their partner higher hypermasculinity ratings reported fewer conversations regarding condoms. Moreover, most of the sexual risk reduction observed at follow-up was the result of abstinence rather than consistent condom use. The findings provide insight into the reality that characterizes the relationships of many Latinas.

Adolescent↗