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Cited by 168Neuroendocrine regulation and behaviorHypothalamic control of reproductive hormonesSexual function and dysfunction studies

The acute effects of intranasal oxytocin administration on endocrine and sexual function in males

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Burri, Andrea, Heinrichs, Markus, Schedlowski, Manfred, Kruger, Tillmann H.C.·2008·Psychoneuroendocrinology
DOI 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2008.01.014
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Abstract

The role of the neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) ranges from the modulation of neuroendocrine physiological effects to the establishment of complex social and bonding behaviours. Experimental studies in animals, as well as case reports in humans, suggest that OT affects different aspects of sexual behaviour and has predominantly facilitating properties for sexual appetence and performance. Using a previously established experimental paradigm of sexual arousal and masturbation-induced orgasm, this study investigated the acute effects of intranasal OT application (24I.U.) on endocrine parameters and measures of sexual appetence and function in healthy men (n=10). In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, balanced cross-over design, sexual arousal, and orgasm were induced by an erotic film and masturbation. In addition to the continuous recording of endocrine (OT, cortisol, prolactin, epinephrine, norepinephrine) and cardiovascular data (heart rate), parameters of appetitive, consummatory, and refractory sexual behaviour were assessed using the acute sexual experience scale (ASES). OT plasma levels were significantly elevated after intranasal OT throughout the whole experiment (>60 min). In addition, OT treatment induced significantly higher increases in epinephrine plasma levels during sexual activity without affecting cortisol levels, prolactin levels or heart rate. OT treatment did not alter appetitive, consummatory, and refractory sexual behaviour according to the ASES. However, when subjects were asked about their subjective perception of whether OT or placebo had been applied, eight out of 10 subjects in the OT group answered correctly, thus pointing to an altered perception of arousal. In conclusion, intranasally administered OT leads to a marked increase in OT plasma levels together with increased secretion of catecholamines when subjects are engaged in sexual activity in a laboratory setting. As the effects of OT on sexual behaviour were equivocal, future studies should examine possible facilitating effects further by including males, females, and couples in a field setting, taking into account that OT exerts the most prominent behavioural effects in pair bond formations.

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  • Because the links between central and peripheral oxytocin are not fully understood, it is unclear whether plasma levels reflect central activity of the system, although studies in humans and animals point to coordination between central and peripheral levels.

    “Because the links between central and peripheral OT are not fully understood, it is not clear whether plasma levels reflect central activity of the system, although studies in both humans and animals point to coordination between central and peripheral levels (Burri et al., 2008; Wotjak et al., 1998).”

    From Oxytocin during the initial stages of romantic attachment: Relations to couples’ interactive reciprocity (2012) · cites this paper as Burri et al., 2008

  • Both animal and recent human studies suggest that central and peripheral activity of the oxytocinergic system is coordinated.

    “Although the relationship between central and peripheral OT levels is not fully understood, both animal (29,66) and recent human (39) studies suggest that central and peripheral activity of the oxytocinergic system is coordinated.”

    From Oxytocin and the development of parenting in humans (2010) · cites this paper as [39]

  • The high level of stability found in basal OT levels may suggest that baseline OT levels are relatively stable during the postpartum period, except for moments of specific physiological processes such as breastfeeding or sexual intercourse that lead to considerable rise in OT but are short in duration.

    “The high level of stability found in basal OT levels may suggest that baseline OT levels are relatively stable during the postpartum period, except for moments of specific physiological processes such as breastfeeding or sexual intercourse that lead to considerable rise in OT but are short in duration (26,39–41).”

    From Oxytocin and the development of parenting in humans (2010) · cites this paper as [39]

  • The high stability in OT levels across a period of several months and the links reported between plasma OT with socioemotional and behavioral indicators of affiliation support the validity of peripheral OT as a biomarker of affiliation processes.

    “The high stability in OT levels across a period of several months and the links reported between plasma OT with socioemotional and behavioral indicators of affiliation (27,28,30,39,67–69) support the validity of peripheral OT as a biomarker of affiliation processes.”

    From Oxytocin and the development of parenting in humans (2010) · cites this paper as [39]

  • Intranasal administration of OT increases peripheral OT levels.

    “intranasal administration of OT has been shown to increase peripheral OT levels (31).”

    From Oxytocin administration to parent enhances infant physiological and behavioral readiness for social engagement (2012) · cites this paper as [31]

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Authors
Burri, A., Heinrichs, M., Schedlowski, M., & Kruger, T. H. C.
Affiliations
  • University of Zurich (CH)
  • University of Duisburg-Essen (DE)
ORCID
Venue
Psychoneuroendocrinology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2008-06
Volume
33
Issue
5
Pages
591-600
ISSN
0306-4530 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.psyneuen.2008.01.014
OpenAlex
W2059337320
Cited by
168
References
64
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 19 · 2012: 12
FWCI
11.14
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Psychoneuroendocrinology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (acceptedVersion)
  • Research Bank (Australian Catholic University) (submittedVersion)
  • FreiDok plus (Universitätsbibliothek Freiburg) (submittedVersion)
  • Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (submittedVersion)
  • Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Sexual function and dysfunction studies
Keywords
oxytocin, intranasal administration, sexual behavior, sexual arousal, orgasm, plasma oxytocin, epinephrine, catecholamines, cortisol, prolactin, heart rate
MeSH terms
Administration, Intranasal, Adult, Double-Blind Method, Endocrine System, Epinephrine, Heart Rate, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Male, Middle Aged, Norepinephrine, Orgasm, Oxytocics, Oxytocin, Prolactin, Psychometrics, Sexual Behavior, Time Factors, Cross-Over Studies

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