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PubMed1991

Neonatal testosterone masculinizes sexual behavior without affecting the morphology of the dorsal preoptic/anterior hypothalamic area of female ferrets.

We examined whether testosterone (T) administered to female ferrets neonatally--a treatment known to enhance masculine coital capacity--induces formation of the sexually dimorphic male nucleus in the dorsal preoptic/anterior hypothalamic area (MN-POA/AH), and/or sensitizes dorsal POA/AH neurons to the stimulatory effect of later androgen treatment on somal dimensions. In males, the MN-POA/AH was present in all subjects, and exposure to androgen following castration at postnatal day 56 (P56) increased both MN-POA/AH volume as well as mean somal areas of MN-POA/AH neurons relative to oil-treated controls. Females given androgen from P5 to P20 and for one month beginning after ovariectomy on P56 failed to develop the MN-POA/AH, but displayed high levels of masculine sexual behavior. Somal areas of dorsal POA/AH neurons in females that received either T or a control neonatally did not increase following androgen treatment at P56. Thus, the correlation that exists between somal enlargement of dorsal POA/AH neurons and masculine sexual behavior in androgen-treated males is not found in behaviorally masculinized females. Masculine coital ability does not appear related to aspects of dorsal POA/AH morphology, supporting data from a previous study in which lesions of the MN-POA/AH caused negligible deficits in masculine sexual behavior of adult male ferrets.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

The impact of schools and school programs upon adolescent sexual behavior.

Because most youth are enrolled in school for many years before they initiate sex and when they initiate sex, schools have the potential for reducing adolescent sexual risk-taking. This paper reviews studies which examine the impact upon sexual risk-taking of school involvement, school characteristics, specific programs in school that do not address sexual behavior, and specific programs that do address sexual risk-taking. Multiple studies support several conclusions. First, involvement in and attachment to school and plans to attend higher education are all related to less sexual risk-taking and lower pregnancy rates. Second, students in schools with manifestations of poverty and disorganization are more likely to become pregnant. Third, some school programs specifically designed to increase attachment to school or reduce school dropout effectively delayed sex or reduced pregnancy rate, even when they did not address sexuality. Fourth, sex and HIV education programs do not increase sexual behavior, and some programs decrease sexual activity and increase condom or contraceptive use. Fifth, school-based clinics and school condom-availability programs do not increase sexual activity, and either may or may not increase condom or contraceptive use. Other studies reveal that there is very broad support for comprehensive sex- and HIV-education programs, and accordingly, most youth receive some amount of sex or HIV education. However, important topics are not covered in many schools.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Similar sexual behaviors with casual partners among gay men with and without a regular partner.

OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that men in a relationship would engage in less risky sexual activity with their casual partners compared to men with only casual partners. STUDY: Cross-sectional data were collected between 1999 and 2003 in a study of young human immunodeficiency virus-seronegative gay men in Vancouver, British Columbia. We assessed the substance use and sexual behaviors of 156 men and compared those having casual partners in addition to 1 regular partner for the duration of the previous year (n = 43) to those reporting only casual partners during the previous year (n = 113). RESULTS: Men with just 1 regular partner were not significantly different from men without a regular partner with regard to sexual behaviors reportedly engaged in with casual partners, self-reported sexually transmitted infections diagnosed within the previous year, or demographic characteristics. Only previous use of poppers and higher frequencies of marijuana use were found among men without a regular partner. CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort, young gay men in a relationship do not appear less likely to engage in risky sex with casual partners than men with casual partners only.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Permanent changes in sexual behavior induced by medial preoptic area kindling-like stimulation.

Kindling is a model of neuronal plasticity in which repeated electrical stimulation of certain brain areas leads to the progressive development of motor seizures. We have previously shown that medial preoptic area (MPOA) kindling induces sexual behavior in non-copulating male rats. In the present experiment, we found that previously non-copulating male rats display sexual behavior even 8 months after kindling stimulation had ceased. In addition, elicitation of an afterdischarge (AD) or stimulation until an intermediate stage was sufficient to induce sexual behavior in previously non-copulating male rats. These results suggest that kindling like stimulation, without seizure development, can induce permanent behavioral changes.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Sexual behavior of men with isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism or prepubertal anterior panhypopituitarism.

Sexual behavior of men with secondary hypogonadism was studied. Seven of the thirteen subjects presented with hypogonadism secondary to isolated gonadotropin (Gn) deficit, whereas the other six had idiopathic prepubertal anterior panhypopituitarism. Testosterone (T) levels were low and did not differ between the two groups. All subjects were evaluated both during replacement therapy (Gn in the first group; Gn plus cortisone and thyroxine in the second group) and 2 months after withdrawal of Gn therapy. During and after withdrawal of Gn administration, men with isolated deficit of Gn retained sexual activity and nocturnal penile tumescence, although they were partially compromised compared with a control group; on the other hand, panhypopituitarics reported compromised sexual function during Gn treatment and no sexual function when Gn therapy was not given. We conclude that different lesions of the hypothalamus-pituitary axis were accompanied by varying degrees of sexual impairment in the two groups of men presenting both secondary hypogonadism and very low T levels.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Factors predicting high-risk sexual behavior in heterosexual college females.

The purpose of this study was to determine which factors based in social cognitive theory are associated with risky sexual behavior in heterosexual college females. Results showed that negative attitudes toward condoms and toward involvement in a relationship were associated with less consistent condom use; frequent alcohol use preceding intercourse and low sexual satisfaction were associated with less consistent contraceptive use. Sex education on the college campus currently provides protection information only; these strategies have not proved successful. We encourage the development of more comprehensive educational strategies, which include discussion of the social cognitive factors shown here to be associated with risky sexual behavior.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Patterns of change in sexual behavior among gay men in New York City.

In the absence of a vaccine or effective treatment for AIDS, health education remains the most effective strategy for stemming the spread of the epidemic. Among homosexual and bisexual men, who continue to account for the majority of AIDS cases, sexual practices have been identified as the principal risk factor. Consequently, public health efforts aimed at this population have focused on raising awareness of the potential risks of HIV infection associated with certain sexual practices. A sample of 162 asymptomatic gay and bisexual men were studied to examine patterns of change and stability in sexual behavior. The data reveal that while the large majority (84%) had adopted at least modification in their sexual behavior, primarily in the form of reducing their total number of partners and their number of anonymous partners, a significant proportion (48%) continued to engage in risky sexual behavior; this, despite high levels of knowledge concerning risk-reduction guidelines. The findings suggest that the mere transfer of information concerning safer sex practices is not sufficient to induce the desired behavior changes in a substantial proportion of gay men. Alternative strategies for achieving behavior change are suggested.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1995

Lesions of the medial prefrontal cortex and sexual behavior in the male rat.

Lesions of the cerebral cortex near the midline in the frontal region appearing to destroy most of the cingulate cortex and adjacent prefrontal areas had profound effects on male rat sexual behavior. At the first postoperative tests, one week after the lesion, the mount and intromission latencies were extremely long (> 60 min). They continued elevated at every fortnightly test until postlesion week 13, when they were no longer different from controls. However, the proportion of animals that intromitted or ejaculated was reduced at this time. The lesion had a slight effect on the number of intromissions and on the intromission ratio, but did not reliably modify other parameters of sexual behavior in those males that copulated after operation. These data suggest that the medial prefrontal cortex is important for the initiation of sexual behaviour but less so for its execution. It is proposed that the elaboration and/or interpretation of environmental stimuli are rendered deficient by the lesion. Consequently, sexual behavior is activated only with difficulty. This coincides with the arousal hypothesis proposed by Beach [8]. There appears to exist a spontaneous recovery of the mechanisms responsible for the activation of sex behavior because the lesioned group was not different from the sham or intact groups 13 weeks postlesion. Remaining cortical tissue or other brain structures may compensate for the initial deficiencies. However, the lesion's effect on intromission behavior did not diminish with time. This could suggest that possible motor deficiencies produced by the lesion are irreversible.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Reductions in HIV risk-associated sexual behaviors among black male adolescents: effects of an AIDS prevention intervention.

BACKGROUND: The number of reported cases of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is increasing disproportionately among Blacks in the United States. The relatively high incidence of sexually transmitted diseases among Black adolescents suggest the need for AIDS prevention programs to reduce their risk of sexually transmitted human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. METHODS: Black male adolescents (n = 157) were randomly assigned to receive an AIDS risk reduction intervention aimed at increasing AIDS-related knowledge and weakening problematic attitudes toward risky sexual behavior, or to receive a control intervention on career opportunities. RESULTS: The adolescents who received the AIDS intervention subsequently had greater AIDS knowledge, less favorable attitudes toward risky sexual behavior, and lower intentions to engage in such behavior than did those in the control condition. Follow-up data collected 3 months later revealed that the adolescents who had received the AIDS intervention reported fewer occasions of coitus, fewer coital partners, greater use of condoms, and a lower incidence of heterosexual anal intercourse than did the other adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that interventions that increase knowledge about AIDS and change attitudes toward risky sexual behavior may have salutary effects on Black adolescents' risk of HIV infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1991

Effect of estradiol implanted in the corticomedial amygdala on the sexual behavior of castrated male rats.

1. The purpose of the present investigation was to study the effect of beta-estradiol crystals implanted in the corticomedial area of the amygdaloid body on the sexual behavior of castrated male rats. 2. The animals were divided into the following groups: group I (N = 9), castrated rats; group II (N = 4), rats which had been castrated and stereotaxically implanted with cholesterol, both groups being used as controls; group III (N = 6), castrated rats with estradiol implants. Latency to the first anogenital exploration, latency to the first mount and mount frequency were determined during the pre-castration and post-castration phases and after the material had been implanted in groups II and III in 10-min observation sessions. 3. There was diminished sexual behavior of the animals in group I without spontaneous recurrence within the period observed. Group II animals, who had undergone implantation of cholesterol, an inert substance, maintained low levels of sexual behavior (post-castration 0.8 +/- 0.7 vs 0.0 +/- 0.0 and 0.5 +/- 0.5 on the 6th and 9th day after implantation, respectively). Group III animals presented a gradual increase in the number of mounts (from post-castration 1.2 +/- 0.5 to 6.5 +/- 2.7 and 4.1 +/- 1.0 on the 6th and 9th day after implantation, respectively) and a decrease of mount latency (from post-castration 431.2 +/- 55.9 to 226.1 +/- 119.6 and 51.0 +/- 28.9 on the 6th and 9th day after implantation, respectively) reaching pre-castration levels on the 6th and 9th day after beta-estradiol implantation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amygdala↗

PubMed2005

Ferula hermonis impairs sexual behavior in hormone-primed female rats.

The influence of Ferula hermonis root extract on sexual behavior was studied in female rats. Sexual receptivity, proceptivity and paced mating behavior were evaluated in ovariectomized females primed with estradiol benzoate (EB) and progesterone (P) and then treated with F. hermonis extract acutely (30 and 60 mg/kg) or subchronically (1 and 10 mg/kg daily for 10 consecutive days). A significant reduction in lordosis responses was observed in rats after acute (60 mg/kg) or subchronic (1 and 10 mg/kg) administration of the plant extract. Similarly, a decrease in proceptive behaviors was exhibited by F. hermonis treated rats in comparison with EB+P controls. No difference was found in the patterns of paced mating behavior between control and treated animals. The present results demonstrate that the acute or repeated ingestion of F. hermonis specifically impairs the receptive and proceptive components of female sexual behavior. The effect could be the consequence of an antiestrogenic action of the extract in hormone-primed female rats.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2003

Endocrine correlates of sexual behavior in the Mohor gazelle (Gazella dama mhorr).

In this study, we quantitatively examined male sexual behavior in relation to fecal estrogen and progesterone concentrations in female Mohor gazelles. We investigated the hypothesis that, during natural mating, males detect cues relating to the potential for successful conception and pregnancy. Time series analysis revealed that males could detect the approach of estrus 2-3 days before female fecal estrogens and estrogen/progestagen (E/P) ratio reached their peak values. Males also paid closer attention to those females excreting higher fecal estrogen concentrations. Mounting and copulation frequencies were positively correlated with both peri-ovulatory fecal estrogen concentrations, and the frequency of pre-copulatory courtship behaviors. These data suggested that males invest their reproductive effort selectively by mating the most fertile females, assuming that estrogen is a valid index of fertility. This assumption was investigated by examining sequential phases of the reproductive cycle for evidence that oocytes and follicles produced in a more estrogenic environment would lead to the formation of the most competent corpora lutea, thereby maximizing the chance of sustaining pregnancy. Associations between sexual behavior and hormone excretion support the hypothesis that males may use this mechanism to assess female fertility.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Inappropriate sexual behaviors in dementia: a preliminary report.

We investigated types of inappropriate sexual behavior (ISB) and patient characteristics in geriatric patients with dementia. The study group consisted of 133 consecutive geropsychiatric demented patients admitted to our ward. All patients underwent standardized diagnostic procedures for dementia, and ISB was assessed by a questionnaire completed by patients' caregivers and records during hospitalization. Patients were then subdivided on the basis of the presence or absence of ISB. Of the 133 demented patients, 20 (15.0%) were reported to demonstrate ISB at home or during hospitalization. Patients with ISB had various types of dementia. There were no significant differences in patients with and without ISB in regard to age, age of onset, gender, educational level, or Mini-Mental State Examination scores. ISB is not unusual in dementia patients and can be found in different types of dementia. Medical care providers need to be trained to discuss sexual issues with caregivers and offer ideas and training to help cope with patients with ISB.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Interaction of alpha-melanotropin (alpha-MSH) and noradrenaline in the median eminence in the control of female sexual behavior.

In the present study, we examined the effects of the injection of alpha-melanotropin (alpha-MSH), noradrenaline (NA), and dopamine in the median eminence of ovariectomized-adrenalectomized rats on female sexual behavior. The animals were primed with l0 microg of estradiol benzoate, and 52-54 h later they were injected into the median eminence with either 1 microl of artificial cerebrospinal fluid, 1 microg/rat alpha-MSH, 200 ng/rat NA, 200 ng or 2 microg/rat dopamine, in 1 microl of artificial cerebrospinal fluid. Both alpha-MSH and NA significantly stimulated sexual behavior. This effect was antagonized by two beta-adrenergic antagonists: propranolol (500 ng/rat) and metoprolol (400 ng/rat) applied 15 min before the alpha-MSH or NA. The alpha-adrenergic antagonist prazosine (500 ng/rat) was ineffective in reducing the effect of alpha-MSH. The vehicle and dopamine at both doses had no effect on sexual activity. These results indicate that alpha-MSH and NA in the median eminence stimulate female sexual behavior and that NA mediates the action of alpha-MSH via beta-receptors.

Adrenalectomy↗

PubMed2006

Adolescent girls' offending and health-risking sexual behavior: the predictive role of trauma.

Several studies have highlighted high levels of risk for girls who have been exposed to traumatic experiences, but little is known about the exact relationship between traumatic experiences and problems with delinquency and health-risking sexual behavior (e.g., precipitory and/or exacerbatory roles). However, numerous short- and long-term detrimental effects have been linked to trauma, delinquency, and health-risking sexual behavior. The utility of diagnostic and experiential trauma measures in predicting the greatest risk for poor outcomes for delinquent girls was examined in this study. Results indicate that the experiential measures of trauma (cumulative and composite trauma scores) significantly predicted adolescent offending and adolescent health-risking sexual behavior, whereas the diagnostic measures of trauma (full and partial diagnostic criteria) did not.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Association between crack cocaine use and high-risk sexual behaviors after HIV diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of crack cocaine use in an HIV-infected population and to examine the association between crack use after HIV diagnosis and high-risk sexual behaviors for heterosexual men, heterosexual women, and men who have sex with men (MSM). METHODS: Analysis of cross-sectional interviews conducted from January 1995 through December 1998 with HIV infected adults in 12 states. RESULTS: Of 10,415 persons with HIV or AIDS, 66.6% never used crack, 10.7% used crack before HIV diagnosis but not after, and 22.7% used crack after diagnosis. High-risk sexual behaviors were more prevalent among those who had ever used crack and were most prevalent among those who used crack after diagnosis. In multivariable analyses, crack use after diagnosis was associated with having multiple sex partners and trading sex for drugs/money in all three groups: heterosexual men, heterosexual women, and MSM. For heterosexual women and MSM, crack use after diagnosis was associated with unprotected sex with a main partner, and among heterosexual men and MSM, with unprotected sex with casual partners. CONCLUSIONS: Crack use after HIV diagnosis was associated with high-risk sexual behaviors. Treatment programs to assist people in quitting crack are needed to help reduce the risk of HIV transmission from this population.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Facilitation of sexual behavior and enhanced dopamine efflux in the nucleus accumbens of male rats after D-amphetamine-induced behavioral sensitization.

Behavioral sensitization caused by repeated and intermittent administration of psychostimulants, such as cocaine and D-amphetamine, is accompanied by enhanced function in limbic-motor circuitry that is involved in the generation of motivated behavior. The present microdialysis study investigated the effect of D-amphetamine-induced sensitization on dopamine (DA) efflux in the nucleus accumbens (NAC) of male rats during sexual behavior. Male rats were given one injection of D-amphetamine (1.5 mg/kg, i.p.) or saline every other day for a total of 10 injections. Three weeks after discontinuation of drug treatment, rats were tested for sexual behavior during a test in which microdialysis was performed. There was an augmented efflux of DA in the NAC of D-amphetamine-sensitized rats compared with nonsensitized control rats when a receptive female was present behind a screen (35 vs 17%). Sensitized rats exhibited facilitated sexual behavior when the screen was removed, as indicated by a significantly shorter latency to mount and an overall increase in the amount of copulatory behavior. Although there was a significant increase in NAC DA concentrations from baseline in both sensitized and nonsensitized rats during copulation, there was a greater increase in DA efflux in the NAC of sensitized rats during the first 10 min copulatory sample (60 vs 37%). These results demonstrate that behavioral sensitization caused by repeated psychostimulant administration can "cross-sensitize" to a natural behavior, such as sex, and that increased NAC DA release may contribute to the facilitation of appetitive and consummatory aspects of this behavior.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Sex, drugs, and HIV: does methadone maintenance reduce drug use and risky sexual behavior?

This study examined differences in drug use, sexual behavior, attitudes, and perceptions of vulnerability for AIDS between injection drug users who received methadone treatment in the previous 6 months and those who did not. Of the 123 participants assessed, 62 (50%) received methadone treatment. Methadone patients reported fewer sexual partners and greater use of condoms compared to nonmethadone patients. Methadone patients also reported fewer high-risk sexual partners than those not in treatment. Women reported more high-risk partners than men. Methadone patients reported drinking alcohol less, but smoking marijuana more than nonmethadone users. Methadone users had more positive beliefs about the efficacy of condoms for preventing AIDS and expressed less anger than nonmethadone users in situations related to condom usage. These findings have important implications for using methadone maintenance to reduce the dual risk for HIV in injection drug users.

Adult↗