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PubMed2004

Intimacy and risky sexual behavior--what does it have to do with death?

The current series of studies was conducted to explore the interplay between death awareness, fear of intimacy, and unsafe sex. In Study 1 (n = 73), making mortality salient led to higher willingness to engage in risky sexual behaviors, in comparison to a control condition. In addition, only in the mortality salience condition, lower fear of intimacy was associated with higher sexual risk taking. Moreover, higher accessibility of death-related thoughts was found either following induction of thoughts about risky sex in Study 2 (n = 68), or upon the induction of thoughts about fear of intimacy in Study 3 (n = 74), in comparison to the induction of thoughts about a neutral theme. The findings extended Terror Management Theory to the realm of risky sexual behavior and are discussed in view of the terror management function of close relationships.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1986

Infantile experience with suckling odors determines adult sexual behavior in male rats.

Because infant rats learn about odors that elicit suckling, and because certain chemosensory cues that help elicit mating behavior in adults are similar to those that elicit suckling, an experiment was undertaken to assess the influence of suckling-associated odors experienced during infancy on adult sexual behavior. Rat pups lived with and suckled dams whose nipple and vaginal odors were altered with citral, a lemon scent. The rats were weaned and never exposed again, until testing, to citral or females. At about 100 days of age, the males were paired in mating tests with a normal sexually receptive female or with a sexually receptive female that had been treated perivaginally with citral immediately before testing. The males ejaculated readily when paired with citral-treated females but were slow to achieve ejaculation when paired with normal females. These findings implicate an infantile experience as a determinant of adult sexual behavior in a mammal.

Animal Population Groups↗

PubMed1996

7 alpha-methyl-19-nortestosterone facilitates sexual behavior in the male Syrian hamster.

Steroid hormones from the testes promote attraction to estrous females and facilitate copulation in the male Syrian hamster. We compared the ability of testosterone (T) and MENT, a potent synthetic androgen that does not undergo 5 alpha-reduction, to maintain sexual behavior in castrated males. Steroid treatment was initiated immediately after castration at three levels by means of Alzet osmotic pumps in sexually experienced adult male hamsters. Daily doses were 5, 25, or 100 micrograms T and 1, 5, or 25 micrograms MENT (n = 5/group). Additional castrated males (n = 5) remained untreated. Sexual behavior was recorded during two 10-min tests before, and at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after orchidectomy. MENT and T maintained equivalent levels of behavior at each corresponding dose of androgen (high, medium, or low). The low dose of T or MENT failed to sustain mating behavior. Eight weeks after castration, males receiving the high and medium doses of androgens continued to express intromissions and ejaculations at gonadally intact levels. However, only males receiving the high dose showed anogenital investigation at the same level as intact males. From these data, we conclude that MENT sustains mating behavior in the male hamster, and that chemoinvestigatory behavior requires higher levels of androgens than those necessary for copulation.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Sexual esteem, sexual satisfaction, and sexual behavior among people with physical disability.

This study investigated the association between the severity and duration of physical disability and sexual esteem, sexual depression, sexual satisfaction, and the frequency of sexual behavior. A total of 1,196 participants completed the study. There were 748 participants (367 males, 381 females) who had a physical disability and 448 participants (171 males, 277 females) who were able-bodied. The age range of participants was 18-69 years, with a mean age of 36.39 years (SD = 10.41). The results demonstrated that people with more severe physical impairments experienced significantly lower levels of sexual esteem and sexual satisfaction and significantly higher levels of sexual depression than people who had mild impairments or who did not report having a physical impairment. The study also found that people with more severe physical disabilities engaged in mutual sexual activity significantly less frequently. Women with physical disabilities had significantly more positive feelings about their sexuality and significantly more frequent mutual sexual experiences than their male counterparts. For people with physical disabilities, the frequency of oral sex and nude cuddling were significant predictors of sexual satisfaction in men, while the frequency of deep kissing predicted sexual satisfaction in women. Furthermore, the viewing of erotica was significantly related to sexual dissatisfaction in men. Finally, it was found that people who had experienced their physical impairment for a longer period of time reported significantly more positive feelings about their sexuality. Implications of these findings are discussed and suggestions are made for future research.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Mobility, sexual behavior, and HIV infection in an urban population in Cameroon.

Several studies, notably from rural areas, have shown an association between mobility and HIV infection. However, reasons for this association are poorly documented. In this study, we examined the relationship between mobility, sexual behavior, and HIV infection in an urban population of Cameroon. A representative sample of 896 men and 1017 women were interviewed and tested for HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections in Yaoundé in 1997. Mobile and nonmobile people were compared with respect to sociodemographic attributes, risk exposure, condom use, and prevalence of HIV infection, using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression. Seventy-three percent of men and 68% of women reported at least 1 trip outside of Yaoundé in the preceding 12 months. Among men, the prevalence of HIV infection increased with time away from town. Men who declared no absence were 5 times less likely to be infected than were those away for >31 days (1.4% vs. 7.6%, respectively; adjusted odds ratio, 0.23; 95% confidence interval, 0.07-0.82). Furthermore, mobile men reported more risky sexual behaviors (ie, more partners and more one-off contacts). For women, the pattern was less clear: differences in the prevalence of HIV infection were less marked for nonmobile than for mobile women (6.9% vs. 9.8%, respectively; P > 0.1). This study suggests that characteristics of male mobility may be an important feature of the HIV epidemic in Cameroon.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1988

Modern family planning, sexual behavior and marriage status among women in Tanzania.

"This article looks into sexual behavior and marriage status among women attending Mother and Child Health Care clinics in Tanzania. It looks into the effects of such behavior on the marriage and suggests some policy implications, especially in relation to modern family planning methods. The data which form the basis of this article were collected [in 1987] among 244 women in two urban centers in Tanzania."

Africa↗

PubMed1985

Effects of prenatal exposure to morphine on the development of sexual behavior in rats.

Females exposed to morphine sulfate in utero (5-10 mg/kg twice a day on days 11-18 of gestation) displayed precocious vaginal opening and had increased body weight from the 8th week after weaning. In addition, there was a substantial inhibition in adult feminine sexual behavior. Male rats that received either morphine or saline prenatally did not show any body weight differences, and most of the measures of masculine sexual behavior did not differ between the two groups. However, the male rats exposed to morphine had a significantly shorter post-ejaculatory intromission latency than the saline controls. Examination of cytosol estrogen receptor levels in the hypothalamus-preoptic area (HPOA) of both saline and morphine sulfate-treated female rats revealed essentially identical patterns of depletion and replenishment. Additionally, estrogen treatment was equally effective at inducing HPOA progestin receptor synthesis in both groups. These results show that prenatal morphine treatment at the times and dose level administered disrupts the development of reproductive function in females but has only minor effects on male reproductive function.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Normative sexual behavior in children.

A large-scale, community-based survey was done to assess the frequency of a wide variety of sexual behaviors in normal preadolescent children and to measure the relationship of these behaviors to age, gender, and socioeconomic and family variables. A sample of 880 2- through 12-year-old children screened to exclude those with a history of sexual abuse were rated by their mothers using several questionnaire measures. The frequency of different behaviors varied widely, with more aggressive sexual behaviors and behaviors imitative of adults being rare. Older children (both boys and girls) were less sexual than younger children. Sexuality was found to be related to the level of general behavior problems, as measured by the Achenbach Internalizing and Externalizing T scores and to a measure of family nudity. It was not related to socioeconomic variables.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1989

Effect of acute bromopride treatment on rat prolactin levels and sexual behavior.

Acute intraperitoneal administration of bromopride (BRO), a dopamine D2 blocker used as an anti-emetic drug in gastroenterology was tested in male and female rats for its effect on prolactin (PRL) serum levels and on sexual behavior. Rats that received 2.5 mg/kg BRO, the lowest dose tested, showed a maximal increase in PRL serum levels. Male rats that received 5.0 mg/kg BRO showed higher postejaculatory mount latency and postejaculatory intromission latency than controls. Rats treated with 10.0 mg/kg BRO showed higher mount latency, intromission latency, ejaculation latency, postejaculatory mount latency and a lower percentage of animals showing mount and ejaculation. Female rats that received 5.0 mg/kg BRO showed a lower lordosis quotient. The data suggest that blockade of postsynaptic dopamine D2 receptors inhibits male and female sexual behavior and that this inhibition is not related solely to the increase in PRL levels.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Male rat sexual behavior induces changes in [3H]flunitrazepam binding.

The effect of male rat sexual behavior on the binding of [3H]-flunitrazepam (FNP) in frontal cortex, hypothalamus and hippocampus was measured. The groups included were: (A) control (no sexual experience) handled males; (B) male rats sacrificed 24 h after their fifth mating experience; (C) males sacrificed 48 h after their fifth mating experience; (D) male rats sacrificed after 5 intromissions during the sixth mating experience; and (E) males sacrificed immediately after the ejaculation during the sixth mating experience. Relative to handled controls, significant decreases in maximal [3H]-FNP binding (Bmax) were observed in frontal cortex and hippocampus of animals sacrificed after 5 intromissions and in frontal cortex of rats sacrificed 24 h after the last mating experience. Relative to males sacrificed after 5 intromissions, males sacrificed immediately after ejaculation exhibited a rapid increase in Bmax in frontal cortex and hippocampus. No between-group differences in Kd for [3H]-FNP were noted, and sexual experience had no effect on the Bmax of [3H]-FNP in the hypothalamus.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Personality differences between endometrial and cervical cancer patients in relation to sexual behavior.

Possible differences in personality were investigated in a sample of endometrial (n = 30) and cervical (n = 30) cancer patients and related to sexual behavior. The assessments were based on the Karolinska Scales of Personality (KSP) and semistructured interviews. The endometrial group reported both a higher age at sexual debut and a lower number of sexual partners whereas the corresponding figures for the cervical group were within the range of representative data from the general population. Strikingly, numerous significant correlations between personality characteristics and behavioral aspects appeared in the cervical group. In a discriminant analysis between the two cancer groups, verbal aggression, number of sexual partners, irritability, use of alcohol, age at sexual debut, impulsivity and social desirability appeared to be the most powerful variables. In view of the similarity of cervical cancer women in terms of personality and sexual behavior to normative data the elaboration of adequate and large-scale preventive measures aimed at young age groups is warranted.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Role of the archistriatal nucleus taeniae in the sexual behavior of male Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica): a comparison of function with the medial nucleus of the amygdala in mammals.

Nucleus taeniae (Tn) is a prominent cell group within the medial archistriatum of birds. Based upon similarities in sex-steroid binding sites, this nucleus has been hypothesized to be homologous to the medial nucleus of the amygdala (Me) in mammals, which is known to modulate the expression of sexual behavior in rodents. We therefore tested whether or not Tn likewise plays a role in the expression of sexual behavior in male Japanese quail. We found that bilateral damage to Tn produced deficits in several components of male responses toward female stimuli that were indicative of decreased sexual arousal, including goal-oriented responses, vocalizations associated with courtship, and motor reflexes that precede copulation. Our results suggest that Tn influences a wide range of behavioral functions in response to sexual stimuli, and they indicate a function for this nucleus similar to that subserved by the Me in mammals. These results strengthen the argument that these sex-steroid accumulating cell groups are homologous and suggest a conservation of function for them despite the vastly divergent evolutionary histories separating birds and mammals.

Amygdala↗

PubMedDate not supplied

AIDS education: knowledge, sexual attitudes and sexual behavioral responses of selected college students.

The problem studied in this investigation was whether a behaviorally focused Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Program affects the knowledge, sexual attitudes and sexual behavior of college students. Three hundred and six first- and third-year college students were included in the study from one university located in Southeastern Virginia. The sample was predominately female, African-American and between the ages of 16-22 years of age. Freshmen students were presently enrolled in the institution's HIV/AIDS education program, which was part of a required course. The class sessions consisted of a pretest prior to students completing the reading assignment and class discussion. During the regular class session, the researcher discussed the reading assignment, provided basic information about HIV/AIDS, its transmission, prevention and treatment, and at the end of the sessions administered a posttest. Junior students were administered a posttest only. No prior reading assignment or class session was provided. The data collected were analyzed in terms of significant differences, utilizing t-tests for paired and independent groups, factor analysis and an analysis of variance. The results of the study indicated that there was little effect of HIV/AIDS education programs on knowledge, sexual attitudes and sexual behavior.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

High-risk sexual behavior by HIV-positive men who have sex with men--16 sites, United States, 2000-2002.

The majority of persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the United States are men who have sex with men (MSM). High-risk sexual behavior by HIV-positive MSM exposes sex partners to HIV. The risk for transmitting HIV from an infected partner to an uninfected partner through unprotected insertive anal intercourse (UIAI) is greater than the risk for transmission through receptive anal intercourse or oral sex. Differences in sexual risk behavior might be associated with the perceived HIV serostatus of the partner (i.e., HIV positive, HIV negative, or unknown serostatus), as well as with the sex partner type (i.e., steady or nonsteady). During May 2000-December 2002, HIV-positive MSM were interviewed in a behavioral surveillance survey at surveillance sites in 16 states. This report describes insertive anal intercourse practices reported by these MSM; findings indicated that a large percentage of HIV-positive MSM were sexually abstinent, practiced safer sexual behavior by having protected insertive anal intercourse, or had UIAI with an HIV-positive partner. However, a small percentage of HIV-positive MSM reported UIAI with partners who were HIV negative or whose serostatus was unknown; for this group, more intensive and comprehensive HIV-prevention efforts are needed to eliminate this risk behavior.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Acute and repeated activation of male sexual behavior by tail pinch: opioid and dopaminergic mechanisms.

We studied the effect of tail pinch on male sexual behavior and its neurochemical basis. Male rats were gonadectomized and maintained on low doses of testosterone propionate (20.0 micrograms/day). Tail pinch significantly increased the percentage of males that mounted, intromitted, and ejaculated within a 30-min test, and these increases were attenuated by both pimozide (1.0 mg/kg, i.p.) and by naloxone (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/kg, s.c.). Moreover, tail pinch in the presence of an estrous female led to significantly increased female-directed behavior 48 h later during a test without tail pinch. Repeated tail pinch tests led to progressively more sexual activity, and the development of this behavioral sensitization was prevented by naloxone. These findings suggest that tail pinch increases the salience of the incentive characteristics of the female. Furthermore, during subsequent tests, with or without tail pinch, the increased salience of the female remains, as measured by the continued increases in sexual activity. These acute and sensitized behavioral increases might result from tail pinch-induced activation of the midbrain dopamine system via an opioid mechanism; either preventing tail pinch-induced dopamine activation (by an opioid antagonist) or blocking the effects of dopamine activation (by a dopamine antagonist) attenuated the long-term facilitation of sexual behavior seen after pairing the female with tail pinch.

Animals↗

PubMed1984

Emergence of displacement activities in the male rat following thwarting of sexual behavior.

The present study revealed the emergence of displacement drinking and hindlimb scratching in noncopulating castrated male rats and in rats with medial preoptic (mPOA) lesions in tests with sexually attractive stimulus females. By contrast, sexually quiescent rats in the postejaculatory refractory period showed no evidence of displacement activity, and anestrous female rats displayed only moderate increments in drinking and scratching, compared with copulating estrous females. In both castrated and mPOA-lesion males, the amount of displacement activity was inversely related to strength of masculine sexual behavior, and in the former, displacement behavior was entirely suppressed by the subcutaneous implantation of a testosterone-filled Silastic capsule. When no stimulus female was present, no difference in drinking and scratching by control, castrated, and mPOA-lesion individuals could be discerned. Sexually inactive females elicited less displacement activity in castrated rats than did females in estrus. On the other hand, unreceptive stimulus females frequently elicited displacement behaviors in normal sexually active males. The results are discussed in relation to current concepts of the psychological organization of masculine sexual behavior, and it is suggested that the emergence of displacement behavior in castrated and mPOA-lesion males, and in normal males paired with anestrous females, may be due to the thwarting of sexual motivation.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Reducing substance use and risky sexual behavior among young, low-income, Mexican-American women: comparison of two interventions.

A pre-posttest, randomized pilot study evaluated the effect of two selective prevention interventions on knowledge, attitudes, intentions, and behaviors to prevent and/or reduce substance use and risky sexual behaviors among 50 predominantly Mexican-American, low-income young women. Women were randomly assigned to either a risk and resilience workshop or a health information correspondence course. Comparison tests using t tests and chi-square analyses were conducted to determine the baseline equivalence and pre- and posttest effects of the interventions. Both interventions had consistently similar effects. Neither significantly decreased use of alcohol or cigarettes. Both interventions significantly improved attitude, sexual self-efficacy, and resilience scores. Contraceptive use increased among women in partnered relationships, and both condom use and contraceptive use increased among sexually active, single young women. Both interventions also had significant positive effects on reported ability to discuss precautions to prevent human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome with sexual partners. Study limitations and implications for clinical practice and future research are provided.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Aversive conditioning of periodic spontaneous erection adversely affects sexual behavior and semen in stallions.

Periodic spontaneous erection and penile movements known as masturbation (SEAM) occur normally at approximately 90 min intervals in awake equids. SEAM in horses has traditionally been misunderstood by many horsemen as aberrant behavior that should be eliminated. Accordingly, it is not uncommon for trainers of performance stallions or managers of breeding stallions to punish SEAM in an attempt to eliminate the behavior. Previous clinical observations and preliminary unsystematic trials had suggested that attempts to stop stallion SEAM may lead to an increase rather than a decrease in SEAM, and at the same time may suppress sexual behavior (SB) in a breeding stallion. The present work evaluated the effects of aversive conditioning of SEAM on SEAM, SB, and semen. In Experiment 1, four mature pony stallions were subjected to aversive conditioning of SEAM in a within- and between-subjects half cross-over design. The SEAM erection interval tended to be less after aversive conditioning, suggesting an increase in SEAM frequency. Eleven other SEAM measures were each similar before and after aversive conditioning of SEAM. In standard sexual behavior trials with a stimulus mare and dummy mount, erection latency, ejaculation latency, mount readiness latency, and number of mounts to ejaculation increased after aversive conditioning of SEAM; erection rigidity score, number of ejaculatory pulses, and vocalization rate decreased. Number of thrusts to ejaculation was similar before and after aversive conditioning of SEAM. All affected SB measures indicated suppressed sexual arousal and breeding efficiency after SEAM. In Experiment 1, ejaculated semen was not evaluated. Because in Experiment 1, the number of ejaculatory urethral pulses was less after aversive conditioning, Experiment 2 was similarly designed, but included evaluation of semen, both immediately and again 1 week after aversive conditioning was completed. Experiment 2 included 12 aversively conditioned stallions, and 4 yoked controls. In Experiment 2, masturbation episode duration tended to be less after aversive conditioning, while the remaining 11 SEAM measures were unaffected by aversive conditioning of SEAM. Of SB measures, erection latency, mount readiness latency, thrusts to ejaculation, and ejaculation latency were significantly greater after aversive conditioning. Erection rigidity score and number of ejaculatory pulses were less after aversive conditioning. These differences are consistent with suppressed sexual arousal and reduced breeding efficiency. Semen volume and total number of sperm per ejaculate were significantly less after aversive conditioning. These findings are consistent with clinical anecdotes and preliminary trials indicating that aversive conditioning of SEAM in stallions suppresses sexual arousal and breeding behavior. Of considerable interest both clinically and theoretically, is the finding that aversive conditioning target behavior of SEAM was not suppressed by aversive conditioning, while SB and semen during semen collection trials were both adversely affected.

Animals↗