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PubMed2001

Effects of maternal separation during early postnatal development on male sexual behavior and female reproductive function.

The endocrine response to stress is an important homoeostatic mechanism, and the secretion of glucocorticoids from the adrenal cortex is a central feature of this response. During early postnatal development, the neonatal rat displays a reduced hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) response to stress. This early period has been termed the 'stress hyporesponsive period' (SHRP). Maternal separation (Sep) of neonates from their mothers during early postnatal development alters the HPA response to stress. In this study, we report the effects of Sep during the SHRP. Female rats were time mated and randomly divided into control or Sep groups before birth. The Sep litters were removed from the mothers during the dark cycle for 6 h per day from postnatal day (PND) 2 to 10. On PND 28, the pups from both groups were weighed, the anogenital distance (AGD) was measured and the animals weaned. At 40 days of age, male and female animals from both groups were tested for open-field activity. As the animals matured, vaginal opening and estrous cycles were measured in females, and males were tested for male sexual behavior at adulthood. Basal, stress, and stress recovery serum corticosterone levels were measured from control and Sep male and female animals. Open-field activity was not significantly different between control or Sep male or female animals. Sep did not affect either vaginal opening or estrous cycles in female animals. Corticosterone secretion in response to stress was similar in control and Sep males and females; however, the recovery levels were significantly higher in Sep females than in Sep males or female control values. In male sexual behavior tests, Sep males had significantly longer mount latencies (time to the first mount), longer intromission latencies (time to the first intromission) and a significant reduction in the percent of animals ejaculating versus control values (controls 84 and Sep 50%). Therefore, Sep males as adults displayed altered reproductive behavior, whereas their stress recovery levels of corticosterone returned to near basal levels in a similar fashion to that observed for control non-handled males. In contrast, females displayed normal reproductive physiology, while their recovery levels of corticosterone remained high, unlike that observed with control females. Thus, significant gender differences in response to Sep (during the dark phase of the circadian cycle) were observed in the paradigm used in the present study.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed2003

Effect of neonatal beta-endorphin imprinting on sexual behavior and brain serotonin level in adult rats.

A single dose (3 microg) beta-endorphin was administered to newborn female and male rats (hormonal imprinting). In adult age (at 5 months) sexual behavior, steroid hormone binding capacity and brain serotonin content was studied. Females' sexual activity (lordosis quotient) significantly decreased and more animals protested against mounting (ratio of kicking and crying 21/24 vs. 8/24; p < 0.001). Males' sexual activity did not change, however more males were aggressive (4/10 vs. 1/10). Uterine estrogen receptor density significantly increased and affinity decreased. There was no change in the binding capacity of thymic glucocorticoid receptors. In the brain, five regions were studied for serotonin content. There was a gender difference in serotonin level and the intragroup differences were also high. In the endorphin treated males the serotonin level was significantly lower than in the controls. In the endorphin treated females the intragroup scattering has been significantly reduced. Nociceptin content of the cerebrospinal fluid was not changed. The experiments call attention to the possibility of adjustment of sexual and behavioral sphere by the individually different endorphin surge during labor.

Aggression↗

PubMed2000

Gonadal function, sexual behavior, feedlot performance, and carcass traits of ram lambs actively immunized against GnRH.

The effect of active immunization against GnRH on production, carcass, and behavioral traits was examined in ram lambs fed to a uniform slaughter weight. Lambs (initial BW = 32.6+/-1 kg) were stratified by BW and assigned at random to one of four treatment groups (n = 12 lambs/group). Lambs were untreated, castrated, or actively immunized against GnRH using a GnRH-keyhole limpet hemocyanin conjugate (1 mg) emulsified with either Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) or another oil-based adjuvant (ISA). Animals were housed individually and slaughtered at 58 kg BW. Immunoneutralization of GnRH reduced (P < .05) testes weight and the concentration of testosterone in serum at slaughter. Suppression of testicular size and function was most clearly evident in animals immunized using FCA. Final anti-GnRH titer was also highest in lambs immunized using FCA. Several measures of sexual behavior (frequency of mounts and ejaculations) were also reduced (P < .05) in animals immunized using FCA. The duration of the feeding period was greater (P < .05) for castrated lambs than for untreated lambs, and intermediate feeding periods were required for FCA and ISA lambs. Average daily gain was greater (P < .05) in untreated than in castrated, FCA, or ISA lambs. Similarly, feed efficiency for untreated lambs was greater (P < .05) than for castrated, FCA, or ISA lambs, but feed efficiency did not differ among castrated, FCA, or ISA lambs. Longissimus muscle area, lean and bone maturity, overall quality, muscling score, flank streaking, and color of fat did not differ among treatments. Intact, FCA, and ISA lambs had more (P < .05) desirable yield grades, less (P < .05) backfat, and less (P < .05) marbling than castrated lambs. In summary, immunization against GnRH decreased testicular weight and reduced (P < .05) feedlot performance and sexual behavior to levels comparable to those of castrated males. Partitioning of nutrients for growth and deposition of fat, however, seems to differ among immunologically castrated and physically castrated lambs. This difference in nutrient partitioning may be due to residual testicular activity in immunized lambs.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1995

Association between history of childhood sexual abuse and adult HIV-risk sexual behavior in Puerto Rican men who have sex with men.

This study explored whether homosexually active men who were sexually abused in childhood were more likely to engage in HIV-risk sexual behavior than men who were not sexually abused. Participants were 182 adult men of Puerto Rican ancestry living in New York City who had had sex with other men or with men and women. Quantitative and qualitative methods of exploration were used. Three groups were determined: (a) Abuse group (AB), formed by men who before age 13, had sex with a partner at least 4 years their senior and who felt hurt by the experience and/or were unwilling to participate in it; (b) Willing/not hurt group (W), consisting of men who had an older sexual partner before age 13 but did not feel hurt by the experience and were willing to participate; and (c) No-older-partner group (NOP). The results showed that men in the AB group were significantly more likely than men in the NOP group to engage in receptive anal sex and to do so without protection. Men in the W group were ranked between the other two groups in terms of their unsafe behavior. Age and education were cofactors both for receptive anal sex and for unprotected receptive anal sex. It is concluded that given the need to improve HIV prevention among Puerto Rican men who have sex with men, sexual abuse in childhood may constitute a marker to identify men at increased risk.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Cross-sectional study on attitudes toward sex and sexual behavior among Japanese college students.

A total of 978 Japanese students, who visited the health services center of a college in Japan for medical check-ups, were asked to anonymously complete a 55-item questionnaire which assessed their attitudes toward sex and sexual behavior. Seven hundred eighty-five Japanese students (80.3%) responded to the questionnaire. In this survey, 90% of male students and 83% of female students indicated that they expected to have sexual intercourse before marriage, while 8% of male students and 3% of female students indicated that it was not wrong to have extramarital sexual intercourse after marriage. In addition, 75% of sexually experienced students reported that they used a condom during their first sexual intercourse, while 73% reported using a condom during their most recent sexual intercourse. The more sexual partners students had had up to the time of the study, the less condom use they reported for both their first and most recent sexual intercourse. The proportion of Japanese students who used a condom is high in comparison to that of students in other countries. However, as students are prone to have sexual intercourse with non-steady, casual partners, more efforts are needed to promote safe sex practices among college students in Japan.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Progesterone has rapid and membrane effects in the facilitation of female mouse sexual behavior.

Ovariectomized (ovx) mice require both estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) administration to reinstate feminine sexual behavior (lordosis). The importance of P's actions at E2-induced intracellular progestin receptors (PRs) to facilitate lordosis was investigated in PR knockout (PRKO) mice, PRKO's wild type littermates (C57X129), and wild type C57BL/6J (C57) mice. Subjects were ovx, E2-primed (0.5 microg) and tested following intravenous (i. v.) and intercereberal P. Intravenous P (200 microg) significantly increased lordosis of all mice within 10 min of P, but vehicle infusion did not (Experiment 1). Intravenous P significantly increased the amount and duration and reduced the latency of lordosis, over that seen with vehicle infusion, in PRKO and wild type mice. Whole brain concentrations of P and its 5alpha-reduced metabolite, 5alpha-pregnan-3alpha-ol-20-one (3alpha,5alpha-THP), which has low affinity for intracellular PRs, were also increased following P compared to vehicle infusion. Progesterone, but not vehicle infusions, significantly increased the number of PR-immunoreactive (PR-IR) cells in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) of C57 and C57X129 mice and increased number of 3alpha, 5alpha-THP-immunoreactive (3alpha,5alpha-THP-IR) cells in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of all mice. In Experiment 2, P conjugated to bovine serum albumin (P:BSA) increased lordosis when applied bilaterally to both the VMH and VTA of E2-primed mice more than BSA implants. Progesterone implants increased the number of PR-IR cells in the VMH of C57 and C57X129 mice and the number of 3alpha,5alpha-THP-IR cells in the VTA of all mice. The rapid facilitation of lordosis with i.v. P infusion and increases in lordosis when P's effects are relegated to the membrane in the VMH and VTA of PRKO and wild type mice suggest that P may facilitate lordosis through actions at substrates other than intracellular PRs. The present findings suggest a role of 3alpha,5alpha-THP.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Concordance between women's physiological and subjective sexual arousal is associated with consistency of orgasm during intercourse but not other sexual behavior.

Many studies have found a discordance between women's genital (vaginal pulse amplitude) and subjective sexual arousal responses to erotica. We hypothesized that the association between the physiological and subjective domains would be greater for women with greater orgasmic consistency during penile-vaginal intercourse but not for orgasm consistency during other sexual behaviors. We confirmed this specific hypothesis in a sample (N = 38) of postmenopausal women. In addition, we discovered that the correlation between the domains was unrelated to social desirability responding, that orgasm consistency was not less for intercourse than for other sexual activity, and that orgasm consistency during intercourse was uncorrelated with orgasm consistency during masturbation. We discuss the results in terms of the unique nature of penile-vaginal intercourse, our study's implications for sex therapy, and orgasm consistency during intercourse being an operational measure of functional vaginal sensitivity and sexual pleasure integration and organization.

Arousal↗

PubMed2003

Managing sexual behavior on adult acute care inpatient psychiatric units.

OBJECTIVE: Protecting and safeguarding persons with impaired decisional capacity are among the critical functions of a psychiatric hospital. The objective of this study was to investigate the elements of these functions as they relate to sexual behavior on an adult acute care inpatient psychiatric unit and to develop a policy to prevent or at least manage such behavior. METHODS: The authors undertook an extensive literature review of articles and legal cases. The review was presented at numerous meetings of staff and interdisciplinary teams on the adult teaching unit at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. The findings from the review and the results of staff discussions were used in creating the policy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: In the acute care setting, it may be both reasonable and prudent to prevent all sexual interactions between patients, especially given the potential risks of such behavior. Concerns include the transmission of sexually transmitted disease, reproductive issues, and the legal implications of nonconsensual activity. Despite these concerns, adult psychiatric inpatients should be granted as many rights as are possible without having an adverse effect on their treatment or recovery. There is currently no standard for a sexual behavior policy for psychiatric inpatients. Thus ward staff are left with minimal guidance and potential confusion in the event that sexual incidents do occur, and there is a greater likelihood of arbitrary responses. The policy developed through this study is an example of how individual institutions can enforce a structured protocol when dealing with an ambiguous and difficult issue.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Twenty years of student sexual behavior: subcultural adaptations to a changing health environment.

This twenty-year study analyzes changes in sexual behavior among students at Okanagan University College in British Columbia, Canada. Surveys conducted in 1980, 1990, and 2000 reveal a steady increase in safer sexual practices. Most students now question potential partners about their past, use condoms with a new sexual partner, and maintain fairly long-term monogamous relationships. Three sexual subcultures continue to coexist in fairly stable proportions: celibacy (about 30%), monogamy (about 60%), and free experimentation (about 10%). Each subculture has created its own response to the danger of HIV/AIDS: celibates exaggerate the danger they face, monogamists rely on love and fidelity for protection, and free experimenters have increased their use of condoms. While romantic feelings lead many monogamous couples to abandon condoms without objective HIV/AIDS knowledge, free experimenters still face the highest risk. Although they now use condoms more than half the time, their lifestyle, which involves multiple partners, risky sexual acts, and frequent drug and/or alcohol use, clearly remains dangerous. The persistence of distinct subcultures has implications for health education programs, which would be most effective if based on key values held by specific target groups.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2003

The display of sexual behaviors by female rats administered ICI 182,780.

ICI 182,780 (ICI) is a pure antiestrogen that when administered systemically does not cross the blood-brain barrier, thus its actions are limited to the periphery. Four experiments were conducted to test the effects of ICI on the display of sexual behaviors in ovariectomized rats. Experiment 1 examined the effects of three doses of ICI (250, 500, and 750 micro g/rat) on sexual receptivity and paced mating behavior in rats primed with estradiol benzoate (EB) in combination with progesterone (P). Experiments 2 and 3 compared the display of sexual behaviors in rats primed with EB+P or EB alone and administered either 250 micro g ICI (Experiment 2) or 500 micro g ICI (Experiment 3). Experiment 4 tested the effects of ICI (250 and 500 micro g) on the expression of estrogen-induced progestin receptors in the uterus. ICI did not affect the display of sexual receptivity in any experiment. In rats primed with EB+P, paced mating behavior was altered by the 500 and 750 micro g, but not the 250 micro g, doses of ICI. The lowest (250 micro g) dose of ICI did alter paced mating behavior in rats primed with EB alone. The effects of ICI on paced mating behavior were manifested by a substantial lengthening of contact-return latencies following intromissions and ejaculations. The percentage of exits were not affected by ICI. Estrogen stimulation of uterine weight and induction of uterine progestin receptors was suppressed by ICI (250 and 500 micro g). ICI effects on paced mating behavior in hormone-primed female rats are likely to reflect antiestrogenic actions in the periphery, including interference with the estrogen induction of progestin receptors.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

The effect of photoperiod on development of sexual behavior and fertility in golden hamsters.

Male hamsters were raised on short (SD) or long (LD) photoperiods from birth, and the expression of sexual behavior at 6, 7, 10, and 14 weeks was compared. Neither mounting, intromissions, ejaculations, nor ultrasonic vocalizations differed in the two groups until 14 weeks of age, when these behaviors were performed more often by LD males. Sperm appeared in daily penile smears at an earlier age in SD than LD males, but LD males had larger flank glands and testes beginning at 6 and 7 weeks, respectively. Female siblings of the males in this study were mated around 7 weeks of age to adult males. Almost all females on both photoperiods conceived normally, and greater than 90% of the offspring delivered survived to weaning in both groups. Together, these results show that hamsters reared on SD are behaviorally and physiologically capable of reproducing for a period of time after puberty. The possibility that social influences or environmental factors other than photoperiod act on the juvenile hamster to retard reproductive development is discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Endotoxin treatment of pregnant rats affects sexual behavior of the male offspring.

The offspring of endotoxin-infused pregnant rats (0.2 micrograms endotoxin, 53.3 min, day 18 of pregnancy) did not exhibit different behavior in the Hebb-Williams-type maze test, but the males showed aberrations in the sexual behavior test. Because endotoxin did not cross the placental barrier, it was concluded that the effect reflects abnormal brain development, caused by endotoxin-induced placental malfunction, notably impaired oxygen transport.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Role of sexual behavior in the acquisition of asymptomatic Epstein-Barr virus infection: a longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: The natural history of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is poorly defined. We report the prevalence and subsequent incidence of EBV infection in a cohort of sexually active young women and explore the social and sexual determinants of incident infections. METHODS: The study population was drawn from a cohort of young women, who were recruited for a longitudinal study of risk factors for early cervical neoplasia. A case-control analysis, nested within the cohort of 45 women for whom the first EBV sample tested was EBV-negative and who had further follow-up, was undertaken. EBV serostatus was determined in serum with a synthetic peptide-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; EBV DNA was measured in cervical smears with the use of quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Of 1023 women 15-19 years of age included in this analysis, 978 (95.6%) tested positive for antibodies to EBV in their first serum sample. Of 45 women who tested negative, 22 subsequently acquired an asymptomatic EBV infection; the median time to seroconversion was 25 months (range, 1-60 months), and the median age at seroconversion was 18 years (range, 16-21 years). The risk of seroconversion increased with increasing number of sexual partners [compared with 1 partner, odds ratio (OR) was 1.28 for 2 partners and 2.23 for 3 or more; chiTREND 5.02; df 1; P < 0.05] and was greatest when a new sexual partner had been acquired in the 2 years before seroconversion (OR 4.78; chi 4.62; df 1; P < 0.05). EBV DNA was detected in 9 of 14 women who seroconverted and who also provided cervical samples. CONCLUSIONS: In susceptible young women, the acquisition of EBV infection is associated with their sexual behavior.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Self-reported sexual behaviors of schizophrenic clients and noninstitutionalized adults.

In this descriptive study the authors compare self-reported sexual behaviors of a group of hospitalized psychiatric clients with a group of noninstitutionalized adults. An interview method was used to obtain information about interest in sex, frequency of intercourse, and sexual satisfaction. Control group members and clients reported about the same interest in sex, frequency of intercourse, and satisfaction in their younger years. In their current lives, however, clients reported slightly less sexual feeling and a much lower frequency of intercourse. Nearly half of the clients were not having intercourse, with the majority of those attributing the reason as hospitalization. Concerns about normalizing the institutional environment for sexual expression for chronically mentally ill persons are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Steroidal control of male hamster sexual behavior in Me and MPOA: effects of androgen dose and tamoxifen.

Steroids stimulate male sexual behavior through interconnected limbic nuclei, including the medial amygdala (Me) and medial preoptic area (MPOA). Although Me and MPOA each can transduce hormonal cues to induce sexual activity in castrated male hamsters, simultaneous stimulation of Me and MPOA fails to amplify mating. The present study extends our investigations of redundancy in the hormonal control of mating by testing the behavioral effects of (1) increasing steroid dose in a single brain region or (2) locally blocking steroid action with an estrogen antagonist. In Experiment 1, sexually experienced castrates received a single testosterone implant in Me, bilateral testosterone implants, or a single implant of a highly potent androgen, 7a-methyl-19-nortestosterone (MENT). These treatments stimulated mating behavior: 2 weeks after surgery, mounting was observed in > or =50% of the males in each group. In Experiment 2, castrated males received intracerebral implants of the estrogen antagonist tamoxifen in Me or MPOA, combined with systemic testosterone replacement. Tamoxifen in MPOA had minimal effects on the recovery of mating behavior. With tamoxifen in Me, mounts and intromissions were significantly reduced 18 days after surgery. However, the percent of males in each group that expressed mounts, intromissions or ejaculations was not different. Thus, in Experiment 1, increasing the amount of steroid does not amplify mating. Likewise, local blockade of hormone action in Experiment 2 does not prevent behavior. These findings support the concept that steroids are largely permissive for male sex behavior. Steroid stimulation of either Me or MPOA is sufficient for sexual activity. Conversely, neither Me nor MPOA has an absolute requirement for hormones to facilitate expression of mating.

Amygdala↗

PubMed1990

[The level of sex hormones in men with a sexual behavior disorder in the form of exhibitionism].

The paper is concerned with the results of radioimmunological studies reflecting the importance of the function of the hypothalamohypophyseal-gonadal system in 29 men with the signs of organic brain lesions, against whom criminal proceedings were instituted because of exhibitionism. Among the examinees the subgroups with the hypothalamic and temporal syndromes were distinguished. The data obtained were compared to those in 25 mentally normal men and 17 examinees with residual organic brain lesions without sexual behavior abnormalities. The data derived have demonstrated the impairment of the function of the indicated system in the test subjects, associated with sexual behavior impairment in the form of exhibitionism which may form the biological basis for distortion of sexual self-consciousness.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Condom use and sexual behaviors among individuals procuring free male condoms in South Africa: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Although the South African government has increased the number of male condoms distributed free to the public, there is no understanding of whether these are being used effectively to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection. GOAL: The study goal was to determine sexual behaviors and barriers to condom use among individuals procuring condoms distributed free to the public sector. STUDY DESIGN: In a prospective study, individuals who procured condoms from 12 public health facilities across South Africa were recruited and observed for the next 5 weeks. RESULTS: The 384 successfully observed subjects reported 3262 sexual contacts, of which 2637 (81%) involved protection with a condom. In multivariate analysis, alcohol consumption and use of other contraceptives were associated with unprotected sexual intercourse. CONCLUSION: The levels of condom use are relatively high in this population, but these data highlight several important barriers to condom use that may be targeted by future interventions.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Accuracy of audio computer-assisted self-interviewing (ACASI) and self-administered questionnaires for the assessment of sexual behavior.

This study examined the accuracy of two retrospective methods and assessment intervals for recall of sexual behavior and assessed predictors of recall accuracy. Using a 2 [mode: audio-computer assisted self-interview (ACASI) vs. self-administered questionnaire (SAQ)] by 2 (frequency: monthly vs. quarterly) design, young women (N =102) were randomly assigned to one of four conditions. Participants completed baseline measures, monitored their behavior with a daily diary, and returned monthly (or quarterly) for assessments. A mixed pattern of accuracy between the four assessment methods was identified. Monthly assessments yielded more accurate recall for protected and unprotected vaginal sex but quarterly assessments yielded more accurate recall for unprotected oral sex. Mode differences were not strong, and hypothesized predictors of accuracy tended not to be associated with recall accuracy. Choice of assessment mode and frequency should be based upon the research question(s), population, resources, and context in which data collection will occur.

Adolescent↗