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PubMedDate not supplied

Chlamydial infection and sexual behavior in young pregnant teenagers.

Chlamydia trachomatis infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STD) among adolescents and is one of the most common causes of perinatal infection. We have screened 267 young nulliparous adolescent girls (12-17 years old) for cervical C. trachomatis infection during their pregnancy using tissue culture methods. The population was a cohort of pregnant teenagers who had limited sexual exposure (mean duration of sexual activity, 14.3 months, mean number of lifetime partners, 2.0 +/- 1.5). The initial screening was done at enrollment to a prenatal care clinic, and the third trimester examination at 32 to 36 weeks of gestation. According to clinical indications, additional interim STD examinations were carried out. The cervical C. trachomatis infection rate was 18.7% (50/267) at intake and 7.9% (14/178) in the third trimester. Three of the 40 interim STD examinations also were positive for cervical C. trachomatis infection. Prenatally, 64 of 267 (24.0%) girls were positive for C. trachomatis at one or more times. The repeat culture positive rate for C. trachomatis was 7.8% (17/218), and 14 of those that were negative on the initial screening were positive on the subsequent screening. One or more types of treatable STDs (chlamydial, gonorrhea, syphilis, or trichomonal) were identified in 38.6% (103/267) of the study population during pregnancy. These findings suggest that high-risk sexual behavior may continue in teen pregnancy, and repeated prenatal chlamydial and other STD screening and counseling are indicated in this population.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

quick-to-court, a Drosophila mutant with elevated levels of sexual behavior, is defective in a predicted coiled-coil protein.

Remarkably little is known about the molecular mechanisms that drive sexual behavior. We have identified a new gene, quick-to-court (qtc), whose mutations cause males to show high levels of male-male courtship. qtc males also show a novel phenotype: when placed in the presence of a virgin female, they begin courtship abnormally quickly. qtc mutations are striking in their specificity, in that many aspects of male sexual behavior are normal. We have cloned the qtc gene and found that it encodes a predicted coiled-coil protein and is expressed in the olfactory organs, central nervous system, and male reproductive tract.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1989

Long-term ovariectomy and hormone-induced sexual behavior, progestin receptors, and hypothalamic morphology in female rats.

Long-term ovariectomy reduces the ability of estradiol and progesterone treatment to induce sexual receptivity in female rats. Previous researchers suggested that this effect may be due to a decreased induction of neural progestin receptors by estradiol in the long-term ovariectomized rats. The present study was designed to replicate and extend this finding, and to search for neuroanatomical correlates by measuring the volume of the ventromedial nucleus (VMN) of the hypothalamus, a putative site of action of estradiol and progesterone for the induction of female sexual behavior. Long-term ovariectomy (5 to 6 weeks) as compared to short-term ovariectomy (1 week) reduced the ability of estradiol-17 beta and progesterone treatment to induce sexually receptive and proceptive behaviors. Consistent with previous reports, our data show that the reduced levels of cytosol progestin receptors after long-term ovariectomy and estradiol treatment are related to a reduced ability of estradiol to induce the receptors. Long-term ovariectomy did not affect the concentration of cytosol progestin receptors in the preoptic area, suggesting a neuroanatomical specificity to this effect. Contrary to our predictions, long-term ovariectomy did not affect the volume of the VMN. In fact, estradiol treatment, while blocking the effect of long-term ovariectomy on sexual behavior, decreased the volume of the VMN. Therefore, the measurement of the volume of the VMN is not a good predictor of the responsiveness to steroid hormone induction of sexual behavior.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

High-risk sexual behavior at a midwestern university: a confirmatory survey.

According to a 1991 study of sexual behavior based on a random sample of heterosexual undergraduates at a Midwestern university, 80% of the males and 73% of the females had experienced vaginal or anal intercourse. The average age at first vaginal intercourse was 17.2 years for both sexes. Seventeen percent of the sexually experienced males and 18% of the sexually experienced females had engaged in heterosexual anal intercourse; among these respondents, the average age at first anal intercourse was 20.3 for males and 19.1 for females. Although less than four years, on average, had elapsed since the respondents had first had vaginal intercourse, males reported an average of 8.0 lifetime vaginal-sex partners and females reported an average of 6.1. Overall, the findings from this random sample of students are similar to those from a 1988 convenience sample of the same college population.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1986

Chronic gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatment suppresses ovulation and sexual behavior in group-living female rhesus monkeys.

The sexual behavior of six adult rhesus females was observed with each of four males prior to, during, and following a 90 day treatment with 20 micrograms/day of a gonadotropin releasing-hormone (GnRH) agonist (WY-40972). All females ovulated, approached males and copulated during an untreated cycle. No ovulations occurred during agonist treatment and all females showed reduced sexual interest during the last 25 treatment days. Three females showed elevated estradiol and copulated during the first 10 days of agonist treatment, but never showed similar levels of estradiol or copulation during the rest of treatment. Within 34 days after agonist treatment, all females initiated proximity to males, copulated, and ovulated. All females became pregnant on their second ovulation after agonist treatment. This demonstration that inhibition of ovulation with a GnRH agonist decreased rhesus female sexual initiation, demonstrates the importance of ovarian hormones to female sexual motivation and suggests that the changes in human female sexual interest should be evaluated during the development of agonist-based contraceptives.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Role of the lateral septal noradrenergic system in the elaboration of male sexual behavior in rats.

The study was aimed at investigating the possible involvement of noradrenergic mechanisms in the lateral septum (LS) for elaboration of male sexual behavior in rats. In this study, norepinephrine (NE), yohimbine (YOH), isoproterenol (ISOP), propranolol (PROP), saline (SAL) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were injected bilaterally in the LS in six different groups of sexually active male rats, and various components of sex behavior were recorded. The application of NE (3 microg) and alpha(2)-antagonist YOH (1 microg) produced a stimulation of most of the components of male sexual behavior, and there was increase in sexual arousal as well as performance. The microinfusion of nonspecific beta-agonist ISOP (2 microg) also produced a stimulation of copulatory behavior whereas beta-antagonist PROP (2 microg) produced an inhibition. The stimulation of male sexual behavior by YOH application at the LS could be due to an increased release of NE by its blocking effect on presynaptic alpha(2)-receptors. These results suggest that the noradrenergic system in the LS has stimulatory effect upon male sexual behavior, probably acting through beta-receptors.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

PubMed1991

The impact of different doses of estrogen and progestin on mood and sexual behavior in postmenopausal women.

This study investigated the effects of various doses of estrogen and progestin on psychological functioning and sexual behavior of 48 healthy, naturally menopausal women. Subjects were tested before treatment and then randomly assigned to 1 of 4 cyclic sequential hormone regimens for 1 yr. Groups A and C received 0.625 or 1.25 mg conjugated equine estrogen (CEE), respectively, for days 1-25 and 5 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate from days 15-25. Groups B and D were given 0.625 or 1.25 mg CEE, respectively, from days 1-25 and placebo from days 15-25. The higher dose of CEE induced supraphysiological levels of plasma estrone. Plasma testosterone levels were lower in group A when blood was sampled during days 18-20 at a time when they were ingesting both 0.625 mg CEE and 5 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate (P less than 0.05), although these decreases were perhaps too trivial to have affected sexual behavior as was hypothesized. Women in group A also had more negative moods and more psychological symptomatology during treatment compared to those in group D who were receiving 1.25 mg CEE and placebo (P less than 0.01). Regardless of group, sexual desire and arousal were higher during the first 2 weeks of the treatment cycle than during week 4 when no hormones were being ingested (P less than 0.05). These findings demonstrate that the effects of progestin on the central nervous system are reflected by an increase in psychological, exclusive of sexual, symptomatology and are attenuated by a higher estrogen/progestin dose ratio.

Affect↗

PubMed1993

Substance use and risky sexual behavior for exposure to HIV. Issues in methodology, interpretation, and prevention.

Recent reports have suggested that the use of alcohol or drugs is related to sexual behavior that is high risk for HIV infection. If substance use leads to unsafe sexual activity, understanding the dynamics of this relationship can contribute to research and preventive and educational efforts to contain the spread of AIDS. In this article, we review research on the relationship between substance use and high-risk sexual behavior. We then consider the inherent limitations of the research designs used to study this relationship, outline some methodological concerns including measurement and sampling issues, and comment on causal interpretations of correlational research findings. We end with a consideration of potential avenues for future research and a discussion of implications of these findings for current AIDS prevention policies.

Alcoholism↗

PubMed1996

Male sexual behavior and human papillomavirus DNA: key risk factors for cervical cancer in Spain.

BACKGROUND: It is now established that certain types of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are the sexually transmitted agents etiologically linked to cervical cancer. Studies assessing the contribution of the male's sexual behavior and genital HPV DNA status to the risk of development of cervical neoplasia in sexual partners have yielded inconsistent results. PURPOSE: This study evaluates the role of men's sexual behavior and the presence of HPV DNA in the penis on the development of cervical cancer in their sexual partners in Spain, a low-risk area for cervical neoplasia. METHODS: Husbands (n = 633) of women participating in two case-control studies of cervical neoplasia were interviewed to obtain information on lifestyle habits, including sexual practices. Cytologic samples were taken from the distal urethra and the surface of the glans penis of 183 husbands of case women and of 171 husbands of control women. These samples were analyzed by a polymerase chain reaction-based system using a generic probe and 25 type-specific probes for the detection and typing of HPV DNA. Serologic specimens were also obtained and analyzed for antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis, Treponema pallidum, herpes simplex virus type II, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. RESULTS: The presence of HPV DNA in the husbands' penis conveyed a fivefold risk of cervical cancer to their wives (adjusted odds ratio [OR] for HPV DNA positivity = 4.9; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.9-12.6). The risk of cervical cancer was strongly related to HPV type (adjusted OR for HPV type 16 = 9.0; 95% CI = 1.1-77.5), to the husbands' number of extramarital partners (adjusted OR = 11.0; 95% CI = 3.0-40.0; for > or = 21 women versus one), and to the number of prostitutes as extramarital sexual partners (adjusted OR = 8.0; 95% CI = 2.9-22.2; for > or = 10 women versus none). Presence of antibodies to C. trachomatis (adjusted OR = 2.6; 95% CI = 1.4-4.6) and an early age at first sexual intercourse of the husband (adjusted OR = 3.2; 95% CI = 1.7-5.9; for < or = 15 years versus > or = 21 years) were also associated with cervical neoplasia in the wife. After adjustment for these variables and for the wife's pack-years of smoking, the husband's smoking was moderately associated with cervical cancer in his wife (adjusted OR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.4-4.4; for > or = 26.2 pack-years versus none). CONCLUSIONS: The study supports the role of men as vectors of the HPV types that are related to cervical cancer. Life-time number of female sexual partners, number of female prostitutes as sexual partners, and detection of HPV DNA in the penis of husbands are all surrogate markers of exposure to HPV during marriage. IMPLICATIONS: Men who report multiple sexual partners or who are carriers of HPV DNA may be vectors of high-risk HPV types and may place their wives at high risk of developing cervical cancer. Prostitutes are an important reservoir of high-risk HPVs.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

PubMed2004

Divergent roles for estrogens and androgens in the expression of female goat sexual behavior.

We tested the hypothesis that the activation of the androgen receptor (AR) is required for full expression of female goat sexual behavior. Once a week for 6 weeks, ovariectomized (OVX) females were given priming doses of progesterone 72 and 48 h before behavioral observation. Estradiol (E(2); 100 microg), testosterone (T; 100 mg), or sesame oil was supplied 14 h before behavioral testing. Six goats received the AR antagonist flutamide (9 mg/kg sc) 8 h before and 4 h after steroid injection. Six goats received the carrier only. After 3 weeks, flutamide and carrier treatments were switched so that all females received all treatments. Treatments with E(2) and T were equally effective in eliciting estrus-typical behaviors (sniffing, courting, leg kicks, mount attempts by males, bouts of thrusting by males, ejaculations, and flehman responses) compared to treatment with oil. Flutamide treatment enhanced proceptive behaviors in E(2)-treated females compared to other treatment groups; this was most likely via enhanced tail wagging. Moreover, compared to goats given T + carrier, T + flutamide significantly reduced receptivity in females. The results of this experiment implicate the AR as an important facilitator of some aspects of the female goat sexual behavior. However, the results of this experiment do not show whether androgens influence estrous behaviors alone or in some combination with estrogen.

Androgen Antagonists↗

PubMed1989

Sexual behavior of unmarried Colombian university students: a follow-up.

Since the mid-1970s, the author has conducted periodic surveys of the sexual behavior of the students of Caldas University, Manizales, Colombia. This study presents the results of the latest follow-up. It documents the accelerated convergence of male and female sexual behavior in a culture which, up to a few years ago, fully adhered to the double standard. The most striking change relates to the increase in the incidence of female premarital coitus, from 38.3% five years earlier to 64.6%, and perhaps 80% among those students who eventually marry. However, the study also shows that prostitution still plays an important role in the sexual lives of male students.

Adult↗

PubMed1980

Intrahypothalamic hormone implantation and activation of sexual behavior in the male hamster.

Intrahypothalamic implants of testosterone propionate (TP), 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and estradiol (E) were compared for their effectiveness in reactivating sexual behavior of castrated male golden hamsters. Males tested preexperimentally and then observed for loss of sexual behavior responses after long-term castration were divided into four experimental treatment groups: anterior TP implants, DHT implants and E implants, and posterior TP implants. All animals were tested at 7 and 21 days postimplantation. On the day 7 implant test mount frequency, latency and duration per mount were significantly different from the castrate response for the TP implant groups. On the day 21 implant test both TP and E implant groups showed significant changes in mounting while intromission frequency, latency and duration per intromission were significantly different from the castrate only for the TP implant groups. DHT implants were not effective in reactivating any aspect of copulatory behavior in the castrate male hamster.

Animals↗

PubMed1964

ESTROGEN ADMINISTERED NEONATALLY AFFECTS ADULT SEXUAL BEHAVIOR IN MALE AND FEMALE RATS.

The injection of 100 microg of estradiol benzoate into female rats 96 hours after birth abolished sexual receptivity in adulthood, even with estrogen and progesterone replacement after ovariectomy. The administration of testosterone propionate to these animals in adulthood elicited the full pattern of male sexual behavior. The same dose of estrogen given to male rats 96 hours after birth produced adults which were unable to achieve intromission, although they mounted as frequently as normal animals. Testosterone replacement after castration in adulthood reproduced this abnormal behavior.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Effects of housing conditions and 5-HT2A activation on male rat sexual behavior.

Adult male rats were housed individually or in groups for a period of 39 days. In Experiment 1, the effects of housing conditions on sexual behavior and concurrent spontaneous "wet dog shaking" (WDS) were investigated. Individual housing significantly impaired male sexual behavior and resulted in a trend toward increased WDS. In Experiment 2, the effects of housing conditions were examined following administration of the serotonergic type 2A (5-HT2A) agonist DOI. Individual housing significantly increased DOI-induced WDS. The implications of these findings are discussed in the context of stress-induced corticosterone secretion and the possible regulatory effect on 5-HT2A receptors.

Amphetamines↗

PubMed1986

Novel environment suppression of stallion sexual behavior and effects of diazepam.

Pony stallions were given sexual behavior trials in experimental "home" and "novel" environments, similar in all major features except location. In the novel environment, erection latency was increased and erection time decreased. Treatment with an anxiolytic benzodiazepine derivative (diazepam) appeared to block these effects.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Sexual behavior and fertility of little mice.

Male mice homozygous for the little gene mutation (lit) were originally reported to have a marked incidence of infertility. We have previously reported that these diminutive mice have normal spermatogenesis and testicular steroidogenesis. In the present study, one research goal was to determine if the reported infertility was due to a defect in male sexual behavior. Quantitative analyses of male sexual behavior of little mice and their normal siblings were completed. Natural breeding trials were also performed to reexamine the fertility of little male mice. The experimental results suggested that little mice require significantly longer times for the first mount, first intromission, and ejaculation. More importantly, the investigation provided evidence that the little mice were not infertile but that they were subfertile. The diminutive size of the little mice may be the primary etiological factor for the observed subfertility.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Gender differences in the enactment of sociosexuality: an examination of implicit social motives, sexual fantasies, coercive sexual attitudes, and aggressive sexual behavior.

An unrestricted sociosexual orientation (the endorsement of casual sex) has been found to correlate with undesirable behaviors and personality characteristics more so in men than in women. Using a community sample of men and women, we investigated the correlations between sociosexuality and behaviors, motives, attitudes, and fantasies related to sexual aggression. Participants (n = 168; ages 21-45) completed self-report measures of sociosexual orientation, sexual conservatism, rape myth acceptance, adversarial sexual beliefs, attitudes toward women, sexual behaviors, and perpetration of sexual aggression. Participants also wrote five brief stories that were scored for power and affiliation-intimacy motives and two sexual fantasies that were coded for the theme of dominance. For both men and women, an unrestricted sociosexual orientation was correlated with behavioral items indicating earlier life experiences with sex, a greater number of lifetime sex partners, and more frequent sexual activity. For men, an unrestricted sociosexual orientation was linked with higher levels of rape myth acceptance and adversarial sexual beliefs; more conservative attitudes toward women; higher levels of power motivation and lower levels of affiliation-intimacy motivation; and past use of sexual aggression. For women, an unrestricted sociosexual orientation was associated with sexual fantasies of dominance and lower levels of sexual conservatism.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Sexual behavior of the female porcupine Hystrix africaeaustralis.

Porcupines are sexually active throughout the estrous cycle, and sexual behavior is not affected by the reproductive status and hormonal milieu of females. Increased female-male interactions during estrus are the only indications of behavioral changes during estrus. The lack of aggression shown by females to known males as opposed to aggression shown to strange males, the greater interest shown by males toward certain females, and the superior breeding success of these females suggest a pair-bonding mating system. Limited changes in female receptivity throughout the cycle might be of importance in maintaining the pair-bond.

Animals↗