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Results for “Sexual Behavior”

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PubMed1999

Stimulating property of Turnera diffusa and Pfaffia paniculata extracts on the sexual-behavior of male rats.

Sexually potent and sexually sluggish/impotent male rats were treated orally with different amounts of Turnera diffusa and Pfaffia paniculata fluid extracts (0.25, 0.50, 1.0 ml/kg). While having no effect on the copulatory behavior of sexually potent rats, both plant extracts--singly or in combination--improved the copulatory performance of sexually sluggish/impotent rats. The highest dose of either extract (1 ml/kg) (as well as the combination of 0.5 ml/kg of each extract) increased the percentage of rats achieving ejaculation and significantly reduced mount, intromission and ejaculation latencies, post-ejaculatory interval and intercopulatory interval. Neither extract affected locomotor activity. These results seem to support the folk reputation of Turnera diffusa and Pfaffia paniculata as sexual stimulants.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Self-esteem, emotional distress and sexual behavior among adolescent females: inter-relationships and temporal effects.

PURPOSE: The current analyses attempt to clarify the relationship between psychological factors and sexual behavior. We test a model examining relationships between sexual history (e.g., age at initiation, partner history) and self-esteem and emotional distress (e.g., depression, anxiety, stress, hostility) and their impact on future sexual risk behavior (e.g., unprotected sex, multiple sexual partners). METHODS: The current analyses included 155 sexually active adolescent females, aged 14-19 years, who participated in the first two waves of a longitudinal study of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/sexually transmitted disease (STD) and pregnancy risk. The Rosenberg Self-esteem scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, and three subscales of the Brief Symptom Inventory (depression, anxiety, hostility) and a variety of self-report measures of sexual history and sexual behavior were administered. Structural equation modeling using LISREL 8.51 was used to assess the proposed model. RESULTS: Our model exhibited adequate fit and demonstrated that sexual history reported retrospectively at baseline was related to self-esteem and emotional distress also measured at baseline. These variables predicted sexual risk behavior measured 6 months later. Adolescents who had lower self-esteem at baseline reported initiating sex earlier and having had risky partners. Alternatively, adolescents with more emotional distress at baseline were less likely to have had a previous STD, had more partners per year of sexual activity and a history of risky partners. Self-esteem influenced subsequent unprotected sex and emotional distress influenced subsequent multiple partners. CONCLUSIONS: This model suggests that self-esteem and emotional distress have contrasting relationships with sexual behavior and demonstrates the importance of the temporal nature of these variables. Implications for intervention are discussed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Sexual behavior patterns of methamphetamine-using gay and bisexual men.

We assessed the sexual behaviors of 49 gay and bisexual methamphetamine users in New York City and the relationship between their use of the substance and their sexual practices as part of a larger investigation of the behavioral aspects of methamphetamine use. Participants were assessed on their use of methamphetamine and their sexual behaviors in conjunction with use of the substance. Participants reported equivalent rates of unprotected anal insertive and receptive behaviors when comparing their sexual acts while high on methamphetamine, high on other drugs, and sober. In addition, equivalent rates of "extreme" sex acts were found for 10 of the 12 behaviors examined while high on methamphetamine and while sober. While wefound few differences in terms of rates of sexual behaviors, our analysis revealed more frequent risky sexual behaviors among HIV positive men when compared with HIV negative men. Our results suggest that methamphetamine attracts a hypersexual risk-taking group of men who engage in unprotected sexual behaviors regardless of their methamphetamine use. Treatment implications are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Sexual behaviors and relationship qualities in late adolescent couples.

This study examined the associations between relationship qualities, sexual behaviors, and relationship length in 61 adolescent couples (aged 16-20). For both male and female partners, positive relationship qualities were associated with physical expressions of affection. Perceptions of higher levels of conflict and frustration were associated with more frequent sexual intercourse. Factor analysis and multiple regression indicated that the frequency of sexual behavior and the perception of global relationship quality (support, depth and intimacy) predicted relationship length for these couples. While the frequency of sexual expression was associated with relationship longevity for both male and female partners, positive relationship qualities (depth and intimacy) were additionally associated with relationship longevity for male partners only. Implications of these findings are discussed in light of current gaps in understanding the relational context of adolescent sexual behavior.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

A peptidergic basis for sexual behavior in mammals.

Vasopressin (VP) is a peptide neurotransmitter in the limbic system of rats. It is synthesized in the medial amygdaloid nucleus in the presence of sex steroids, transported to other limbic structures such as the hippocampus and septum and secreted there by a calcium-dependent process. In the hippocampus, VP acts on cerebral microvessels and local circuit interneurons. Its excitatory action on the inhibitory interneurons produces near-total shutdown of electrical activity of the efferent fibers of pyramidal cells, the projection neurons of the hippocampus. Stimulation of the medial amygdala and release of the endogenous VP duplicates these effects and, since they are blocked by ventricular application of a VP antagonist, the effects are almost certainly mediated by endogenous VP. Recording from the VP-containing cell bodies or of the hippocampal action of the peptide indicates that the system is selectively involved with the early stages of sexual behavior, specifically those appetitive behaviors that anticipate coitus. Stimulation of the VP cells produces alterations in sexual behavior in a manner consistent with the hypothesis that the medial amygdala organizes the appetitive phase of recognition of an appropriate partner and sexual arousal. This role for the medial amygdala complements the proposed role of nearby structures in the consummatory, reward and learned aspects of sexual behavior. Association between VP, oxytocin (OT) and homologs with sexual behavior is very widespread among vertebrates, including amphibians, reptiles, primates and humans. Humans and other primates display a phenomenon called 'concealed ovulation' that may have played a role in the evolution of social structures. The review concludes with a discussion of possible experimental strategies for evaluating the possible role of VP in concealed ovulation and other conditions in which sexual behavior occurs outside of estrus.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Intervention to promote safer sexual behaviors and educate peers about HIV/AIDS.

Sexually active college students are at risk for infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Nursing students can learn a variety of desirable professional skills and provide an important service to their college peers by participating in an ongoing intervention to promote safer sexual behaviors. Since 1989, nursing students at a publicly supported urban college have been providing a HIV Primary Prevention intervention on a sustained basis. During each semester, at least 1,000 college students complete a quiz that tests their knowledge about condoms and engage in discourse with a nursing student about HIV/AIDS. Content analysis of the evaluations submitted by the nursing students (N = 43) identifies how this independent study enhances both professional and personal growth.

Condoms↗

PubMed1999

Under the influence: risky sexual behavior and substance abuse among driving under the influence offenders.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between alcohol and drug abuse and risky sexual practice in a sample of 366 driving under the influence (DUI) offenders. STUDY DESIGN: Data were collected from a sample of participants at a university-operated drunk driving intervention program. Specific indicators included established or severe alcohol/drug use problems, multiple drugs used, multiple alcohol/drug related arrests, and early regular alcohol use. Multiple sexual partners, condom use, and having sex while under the influence of alcohol or drugs were used to measure risky sexual behavior patterns. Correlation and logistic regression analyses examined associations between these substance abuse and sexual risk taking measures. RESULTS: Substance abuse in general was unrelated to risky sexual behavior such as multiple sexual partners or lack of condom use. However, having sex while high from alcohol or drugs was significantly associated with substance abuse. Moreover, having sex while high was significantly related to both risky sex and a history of sexually transmitted disease. CONCLUSIONS: Having sex while high may be an important behavior to address to prevent STDs in the DUI population. Assessing relationships between substance abuse and risky sexual behavior poses a challenge to researchers because any estimates about this association may be dependent on the measure of sexual behavior that is used. An integrated intervention approach that addresses both substance abuse prevention and safe sexual practice appears crucial and effective for educating "risk takers" such as DUI offenders. However, these data caution that for those who are dependent upon alcohol and/or other drugs, education solely emphasizing risk reduction procedures is likely to be inefficient until their chemical dependency is addressed.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Sexual behaviors and HIV infection in intravenous drug users in New York City.

Heterosexual transmission of HIV infection is closely linked with intravenous drug use. This study investigated the sexual behaviors of intravenous drug users (IVDUs) in New York City. In 1986, 284 IVDUs were recruited from newly enrolled patients in methadone treatment clinics. A questionnaire asking for information on sexual behaviors was administered and sera were collected and tested by ELISA and Western Blot techniques. Associations between behavioral data and HIV serology were evaluated using univariate methods of analysis. HIV infection was significantly associated with age (p = 0.01). Subjects not claiming prostitution were also significantly more likely to be infected (p = 0.01). Subjects reporting condom use and oral sex had lower infectivity rates. Higher infection rates were observed in subjects reporting anal sex and homosexual or bisexual sexual behavior. The findings of this study suggest that greater efforts to isolate those sexual behaviors that are predictors or correlates of heterosexual transmission of HIV infection is much needed in order to design behavioral interventions that will effectively curtail the spread of this virus.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Sexual behavior, condom use, and human papillomavirus: pooled analysis of the IARC human papillomavirus prevalence surveys.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection but it is unclear whether differences in transmission efficacy exist between individual HPV types. Information on sexual behavior was collected from 11 areas in four continents among population-based, age-stratified random samples of women of ages > or = 15 years. HPV testing was done using PCR-based enzyme immunoassay. Unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) of being HPV positive and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Variables were analyzed categorically. When more than two groups were compared, floating confidence intervals were estimated by treating ORs as floating absolute risks. A total of 11,337 women (mean age, 41.9 years) were available. We confirmed that lifetime number of sexual partners is associated with HPV positivity (OR for > or = 2 versus 1, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.63-2.11) but the association was not a linear one for HPV18, 31, and 33 (i.e., no clear increase for > or = 3 versus 2 sexual partners). Women who had multiple-type infection and high-risk HPV type infection reported a statistically nonsignificant higher number of sexual partners than women who had single-type and low-risk type infections, respectively. Early age at sexual debut was not significantly related to HPV positivity. Husband's extramarital sexual relationships were associated with an OR of 1.45 (95% CI, 1.24-1.70) for HPV positivity in their wives after adjustment for age and lifetime number of women's sexual partners. We did not observe a significant association with condom use. Our study showed an effect of both women's and their husbands' sexual behavior on HPV positivity. Furthermore, it suggests some differences in the pattern of the association between sexual behavior and different HPV types.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Functional analysis and treatment of inappropriate sexual behavior.

The results of a functional analysis showed that inappropriate sexual behaviors exhibited by a 9-year-old boy who had been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury were maintained by positive reinforcement in the form of social attention. An intervention consisting of functional communication training and extinction resulted in reduced levels of inappropriate sexual behaviors.

Aggression↗

PubMed2004

Embryonic co-exposure to methoxychlor and Clophen A50 alters sexual behavior in adult male quail.

Embryonic exposure to estrogens and estrogenic pollutants is known to demasculinize sexual behavior in adult male Japanese quail. In the present study, we administered the insecticide methoxychlor to quail eggs at a dose of 150 microg/g egg and then studied sexual behavior and other reproductive variables in adult males. In a second experiment we administered the same dose of methoxychlor together with 10 microg/g egg of the commercial polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) mixture Clophen A50 (CA50) and also CA50 alone. Neither methoxychlor nor CA50 had any significant effects by themselves, but when they were administered together a significant reduction in male sexual behavior was observed. It seems likely that induction of biotransformation enzymes in the embryos by CA50 resulted in increased conversion of methoxychlor to the more estrogenic metabolite 2,2-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (HPTE).

Animals↗

PubMed1979

The effect of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-dopa) on the prolactin response to sexual behavior in the male rat.

L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-dopa) was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) to sexually experienced male rats, and blood was collected both by decapitation without anesthesia and by cardiac puncture with ether anesthesia. Samples were taken before and during mating with a receptive female. Both the prolactin (Prl) response to ether and the Prl response to mating were suppressed by L-dopa. Basal Prl levels were depressed, but not significantly. However, sexual behavior was not altered by L-dopa. It was concluded that the previously reported loss of the Prl response to an estrous female in male rats lesioned in the medial preoptic area (MPOA) could not account for their loss of sexual behavior. Further, elevation of Prl levels during mating is not necessary to normal sexual behavior in the intact male rat.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Reliability of adolescents' self-reported sexual behavior: a comparison of two diary methodologies.

PURPOSE: To evaluate techniques for measuring high-risk sexual behaviors by comparing the reliability and acceptability of two daily sexual behavior diary modes: a written calendar and an automated telephone interview. METHODS: This randomized controlled study included 105 sexually active female adolescents aged 15-19 years recruited from among teens seeking reproductive health care services at a family planning clinic in the San Francisco Bay Area. Participants completed a standardized sexual behavior questionnaire each day for 4 weeks. Contraceptive use by method type was recorded. Reporting differences between the two diary modes were assessed using generalized estimating equations, concordance of diary and retrospective interview responses was evaluated using kappa statistics, and contingency table analysis and Poisson regression models were constructed to examine mode acceptability. RESULTS: Respondents randomized to the telephone diary cohort reported less frequent use of barrier contraceptive methods, specifically less spermicide use (odds ratio 0.27, 95% confidence interval 0.08, 0.95), and decreasing male condom use over time, whereas reports of male condom use increased for written diary respondents (p = .007). Participant characteristics associated with diary acceptability, defined as the frequency of diary completion, were assessed and teens classified as higher risk provided fewer diary reports (p < .01). Regardless of mode completed, 65% of respondents believed the telephone diary would be preferable to the written diary for most teens. CONCLUSIONS: The automated telephone diary offered an acceptable, even preferred, methodologic alternative to the written diary calendar and elicited more accurate reporting of selected contraceptive behavior.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Effects of amphetamine on sexual behavior of male i.v. drug users in Stockholm--a pilot study.

Sexual behavior in connection with drug use and its implications for the risk of sexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among intravenous drug users (IVDUs) was investigated in a pilot study of 29 men (who injected drugs more than once a week for at least 6 months) at the Remand Prison in Stockholm from November, 1989, to January, 1990. A structured interview focusing on sexual history and current sexual behavior with and without drugs was employed. The median age of the subjects was 32 years. Six were HIV-seropositive. The main drugs presently used were amphetamine (18 men), heroin (9 men) and cocaine (2 men). Of the 29 men, 27 had experience of sexual activity while using amphetamine. Of these, 23 reported that they became more sexually excited when on amphetamine, 21 reported intensified orgasms, and 23 reported that the drug prolonged intercourse. All 29 men had been sexually active, but only 6 of the amphetamine users had had more than 10 partners during the last 3 years. Condom use was very low; it was reported by only 3 men during their last intercourse with a causal partner. The findings suggest that sexual HIV transmission among IVDUs is a clear risk, especially among amphetamine users, and that education about condom use is urgent.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1985

Effect of progesterone on the sexual behavior of the male Japanese quail.

The reduced metabolites of testosterone produced in the central nervous system of birds are known to be involved in the regulation of male sexual behavior. Since progesterone may compete with testosterone for 5 alpha- and 5 beta-reduction, it may also interfere with the sexual behavior of birds. In order to test this hypothesis, progesterone was administered to male quail either transferred from short days to long days or kept in short days and treated with testosterone. Sexual behavior and crowing were scored at intervals for 21 days and the size of the cloacal gland was measured at the same times. On Day 21, the birds were killed and their testes were weighed. The administration of a large dose (1 mg/day) of progesterone depressed the sexual behavior of the birds stimulated either by long days or by the administration of testosterone. It is suggested that progesterone may compete with testosterone for the active sites of 5 alpha- and 5 beta-reductase; alternatively, its effect may be due to an antiandrogenic activity.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Prepubertal boys' sexual behavior and behavior problems.

The increasingly early initiation of penetrative sexual practices and the implication for prevention of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases requires the study of childhood sexual behavior and its determinants. In adolescence, early sexual initiation is associated with other "problem behaviors" (Jessor & Jessor, 1977). To explore an analogous association for the middle childhood years, we studied 126 boys aged 5 to 11 years at increased risk for the development of conduct-disorder-related behavior with the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL)/4-18 (Achenbach, 1991) and reevaluated 112 of them 15 months later. At both time points, the boys scored higher on the Sex Problems scale as well as on the nonsexual CBCL scales than Achenbach's nonclinical norm sample. Within the at-risk sample, the Sex Problems scale was significantly related to externalizing problem behaviors, but also to the other CBCL scales of behavioral/emotional problems. These data point to childhood precursors of the association observed by Jessor and Jessor (1977) in adolescence.

Child↗

PubMed1987

Polyadenylated and nonadenylated messenger RNA and androgen control of sexual behavior and scent marking in male gerbils.

To test the hypothesis that testosterone stimulates masculine social behaviors by inducing transcription of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), we studied the effects of cordycepin, an adenosine analog that preferentially impairs synthesis of polyadenylated mRNA. When infused into the medial preoptic area of castrated male gerbils an hour before they received systemic injections of testosterone propionate, cordycepin almost completely blocked recovery of sexual behavior but did not affect recovery of scent marking. In gerbils given saline infusions, both behaviors were restored. When treatments were reversed, sexual activity resumed in males previously exposed to cordycepin and declined in males now receiving the drug. Cordycepin also blocked reinstatement of sexual behavior by the two major metabolites of testosterone, estradiol and dihydrotestosterone. Thus it does not suppress sexual behavior simply by suppressing synthesis of aromatase or 5 alpha-reductase. Again, cordycepin had no effect on scent marking although this behavior is sensitive to other drugs that inhibit transcription or translation. The data suggest that testosterone may stimulate sexual behavior and scent marking, respectively, by inducing transcription of polyadenylated and nonadenylated mRNAs.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Appetitive and consummatory sexual behaviors of female rats in bilevel chambers. I. A correlational and factor analysis and the effects of ovarian hormones.

This study investigated measures of sexual behavior displayed by female rats in bilevel chambers, the statistical relationships among the measures, and their dependency on hormone priming. Normative data from a standard 35-min test of sexual behavior were gathered from 82 fully primed sexually experienced Long-Evans females and subjected to multiple correlational and factor analyses. Several consummatory measures of copulation were related significantly, whereas appetitive level changing was statistically independent of consummatory measures. Factor analyses were conducted using orthogonal rotations of correlational matrices derived either from (a) measures of female behavior alone or (b) measures of female and male behavior together. The first analysis revealed five factors that accounted for 84% of the intersubject variance: Receptivity, Pacing, Appetitive Level Changing, Lordosis Reflex, and Solicitation. The second factor analysis with male data included revealed seven factors that accounted for 95% of the intersubject variance: Pacing, Copulatory Rate, Mount Count, Receptivity, Appetitive Level Changing, Solicitation, and Lordosis Reflex. Subsequently, subsets of these females were maintained on different steroid priming regimens (oil, low estrogen, high estrogen, high estrogen and progesterone) prior to a standard test of sexual behavior. Although the expression of all sexual behaviors required estrogen priming, appetitive level changing, solicitation, and pacing required progesterone for their full expression. Finally, appetitive level changing developed following hormone treatment alone, regardless of whether the females received access to sexually active males, inactive castrated males, or other females. Use of bilevel chambers allows complex patterns of sexual behavior to be observed in female rats and may thus facilitate the identification of neurochemical or endocrine mechanisms associated with different aspects of female sexual motivation and performance.

Animals↗