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Plasma oxytocin increases in the human sexual response
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine whether plasma oxytocin (OT) levels change during human sexual responses and, if so, to demonstrate the temporal pattern of change. Plasma OT levels were measured by RIA before, during, and after private self-stimulation to orgasm in normal men (n = 9) and women (n = 13). Blood samples were collected continuously through indwelling venous catheters. The subjects pressed a signal to indicate the start and finish of orgasm/ejaculation. Objective assessment of sexual arousal and orgasm was obtained by measuring blood-pulse amplitude and electromyographic activity, recorded continuously throughout testing from an anal device containing a photoplethysmograph and electromyograph electrodes connected to a polygraph located in an adjacent room. These measures allowed collection of data from men and women of changes in blood flow and muscle activity in the lower pelvic/pubic area. Plasma OT levels increased during sexual arousal in both women and men and were significantly higher during orgasm/ejaculation than during prior baseline testing. We suggest that the temporal pattern of secretion could be related to smooth muscle contractions of the reproductive system during orgasm.
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“OT plasma levels have also been reported to increase in both men and women during sexual arousal, peaking during orgasm [136].”
From The Neurobiology of Love and Pair Bonding from Human and Animal Perspectives (2023) · cites this paper as [136]
In the citing paper
“Carmichael et al. (1987) found that plasma OT increased around the time of orgasm in men and women, remaining raised for at least 5 min after orgasm.”
From The endocrinology of sexual arousal (2005) · cites this paper as Carmichael et al. (1987)
In the citing paper
“OT is released in humans during hugging, touching, massage, nipple stimulation, and orgasm (Carmichael et al 1987; Christensson et al 1989; Turner et al 1999; Light et al 2000; Light et al 2005), and promotes increased eye gaze, trust, and attention to emotional cues (Kosfeld et al 2005; Domes et al 2007; Guastella et al 2008; Andari et al 2010).”
From The behavioral, anatomical and pharmacological parallels between social attachment, love and addiction (2012) · cites this paper as Carmichael et al 1987
In the citing paper
“In independent studies in rodents and sheep, contexts or behaviors shown to have central oxytocin involvement also show positive increases in plasma oxytocin levels (rodents: Ogawa et al., 1980; Carmichael et al., 1987; Stock and Uvnäs-Moberg, 1988; Juszczak and Stempniak, 1997; Neumann et al., 2000; sheep: Keverne et al., 1983; Kendrick et al., 1986).”
From Endogenous peripheral oxytocin measures can give insight into the dynamics of social relationships: a review (2014) · cites this paper as Carmichael et al., 1987
In the citing paper
“Oxytocin is released during sexual arousal and orgasm (Blaicher et al., 1999, Burri et al., 2008, Carmichael et al., 1987, but see Kruger et al., 2003, Murphy et al., 1987).”
From Oxytocin, motivation and the role of dopamine (2014) · cites this paper as Carmichael et al., 1987
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Neurobiology of social attachments
Coria‐Ávila, G. A., Manzo, J., García, L. I., Carrillo, P., Miquel, M., & Pfaus, J. G. (2014) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.04.004 · Cited by 108
“…in humans, and VCS, parturition and social encounters in animals the concentration of OT increases in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and in hypothalamic and mesolimbic areas (Fuchs et al., 1982; Carmichael et al., 1987; Gimpl and Fahrenholz, 2001; Insel et al., 2001; Bielsky and Young, 2004).”
A brief history of oxytocin and its role in modulating psychostimulant effects
Carson, D. S., Guastella, A. J., Taylor, E. R., & McGregor, I. S. (2013) · Journal of Psychopharmacology · doi:10.1177/0269881112473788 · Cited by 105
“Early findings from Julian Davidson’s group also outlined the ability of sexual self-stimulation to increase plasma OT levels in both healthy male and female humans (Carmichael et al., 1987).”
BackgroundDopamine–oxytocin interactions in penile erection
Baskerville, T. A., Allard, J., Wayman, C., & Douglas, A. J. (2009) · European Journal of Neuroscience · doi:10.1111/j.1460-9568.2009.06999.x · Cited by 105
“Its importance in human males has also been implicated by elevated circulating oxytocin during sexual behavior (Carmichael et al., 1987; Uckert et al., 2003).”
BackgroundPark, K., Kang, H. K., Seo, J. J., Kim, H. J., Ryu, S. B., & Jeong, G. (2001) · Urology · doi:10.1016/s0090-4295(01)00992-x · Cited by 104
Neuropeptides and male sexual behavior
Dornan, W. A., & Malsbury, C. W. (1989) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/s0149-7634(89)80046-6 · Cited by 103
The pathophysiology of acquired premature ejaculation
McMahon, C. G., Jannini, E. A., Şerefoğlu, E. C., & Hellstrom, W. J. G. (2016) · Translational Andrology and Urology · doi:10.21037/tau.2016.07.06 · Cited by 105
“As oxytocin is closely involved in the ejaculatory mechanism (108) both centrally (109) and peripherally (110), this may account for the close correlation between hyperthyroidism and PE.”
BackgroundIncreased Fos Expression in Oxytocin Neurons Following Masculine Sexual Behavior
Witt, D. M., & Insel, T. R. (1994) · Journal of Neuroendocrinology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2826.1994.tb00549.x · Cited by 102
Puyvelde, M. V., Gorissen, A.-S., Pattyn, N., & McGlone, F. (2019) · Physiology & Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2019.04.024 · Cited by 105
Behnia, B., Heinrichs, M., Bergmann, W., Jung, S., Germann, J., Schedlowski, M., Hartmann, U., & Kruger, T. H. C. (2014) · Hormones and Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2014.01.009 · Cited by 103
“OXT is released during orgasm inmales and females and exhibits a positive correlation with the intensity of muscle contraction of the pelvic floor in women during orgasm (Blaicher et al., 1999; Carmichael et al., 1987; Kruger et al., 1998, 2003a; Murphy et al., 1987).”
BackgroundThe role of oxytocin in mating and pregnancy
Borrow, A. P., & Cameron, N. M. (2012) · Hormones and Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2011.11.001 · Cited by 101
From Autism to Eating Disorders and More: The Role of Oxytocin in Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Romano, A., Tempesta, B., Bonaventura, M. V. M. D., & Gaetani, S. (2016) · Frontiers in Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnins.2015.00497 · Cited by 106
“Also in humans, both man and women, oxy plasma levels are increased during orgasm Frontiers in Neuroscience | www.frontiersin.org 4 January 2016 | Volume 9 | Article 497 and sexual arousal (Carmichael et al., 1987; Carter, 1992).”
BackgroundDetection, processing and reinforcement of social cues: regulation by the oxytocin system
Menon, R., & Neumann, I. D. (2023) · Nature Reviews Neuroscience · doi:10.1038/s41583-023-00759-w · Cited by 100
“Furthermore, OXT secretion into the blood is stimulated by sexual activity 138 , mother–infant interactions 139 , psychosocial stress 140 or intense interactions with pets 141 .”
BackgroundBauer, F. E., Zintel, A., Kenny, M. J., Calder, D., Ghatei, M. A., & Bloom, S. R. (1989) · Gastroenterology · doi:10.1016/0016-5085(89)90059-0 · Cited by 100
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Weeks, D. J. (2002) · Sexual & Relationship Therapy · doi:10.1080/14681990220149031 · Cited by 98
“The temporal pattern of secretion is related to smooth muscle contractions of the reproductive system during orgasm (Carmichael et al., 1987).”
BackgroundAre Sexual Dissatisfaction and Sexual Abuse Associated with Obesity? A Population‐Based Study
Adolfsson, B., Elofsson, S., Rössner, S., & Undén, A. (2004) · Obesity Research · doi:10.1038/oby.2004.211 · Cited by 98
Are gonadal steroids linked with orgasm perceptions and sexual assertiveness in women and men?
van Anders, S. M., & Dunn, E. J. (2009) · Hormones and Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2009.04.007 · Cited by 98
Puts, D. A., Welling, L. L. M., Burriss, R. P., & Khytam Dawood, B. (2011) · Evolution and Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2011.03.003 · Cited by 94
“, 2007, 2009), a hormone released during orgasm (Blaicher et al., 1999; Carmichael et al., 1987; Carmichael, Warburton, Dixen, & Davidson, 1994).”
BackgroundOxytocin and the modulation of pain experience: Implications for chronic pain management
Tracy, L. M., Georgiou‐Karistianis, N., Gibson, S. J., & Giummarra, M. J. (2015) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2015.04.013 · Cited by 93
Sanders, G. (1990) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/0306-4530(90)90046-c · Cited by 86
Why Women Have Orgasms: An Evolutionary Analysis
Puts, D. A., Dawood, K., & Welling, L. L. M. (2012) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-012-9967-x · Cited by 91
“Lloyd (2005) echoed these sentiments:‘‘very wide variability of rates of orgasm with Blaicher et al., 1999; Carmichael et al., 1987; Carmichael, Warburton, Dixen, & Davidson, 1994 Orgasm increases systemic oxytocin release.”
Identification, localization and functional activity of oxytocin receptors in epididymis
Filippi, S., Vannelli, G. B., Granchi, S., Luconi, M., Crescioli, C., Mancina, R., Natali, A., Brocchi, S., Vignozzi, L., Bencini, E., et al. (2002) · Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology · doi:10.1016/s0303-7207(02)00101-6 · Cited by 88
Pharmacology for the Treatment of Premature Ejaculation
Giuliano, F., & Clément, P. (2012) · Pharmacological Reviews · doi:10.1124/pr.111.004952 · Cited by 87
“In men also, plasma OT was reported to start increasing before ejaculation and to be significantly higher at the time of ejaculation (Carmichael et al., 1987; Murphy et al., 1987).”
BackgroundOxytocin and Migraine Headache
Tzabazis, A., Kori, S. H., Mechanic, J., Miller, J. T., Pascual, C., Manering, N. A., Carson, D. S., Klukinov, M., Spierings, E. L. H., Jacobs, D. L., et al. (2017) · Headache The Journal of Head and Face Pain · doi:10.1111/head.13082 · Cited by 87
Leng, G., Pineda, R., Sabatier, N., & Ludwig, M. (2015) · Journal of Endocrinology · doi:10.1530/joe-15-0087 · Cited by 85
“to be enhanced secretion in the arousal phase before orgasm (Carmichael et al. 1987), whereas the rises at”
Endocrinology of human female sexuality, mating, and reproductive behavior
Motta‐Mena, N. V., & Puts, D. A. (2016) · Hormones and Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2016.11.012 · Cited by 89
“Oxytocin levels peak during orgasm (Blaicher et al., 1999; Carmichael et al., 1987, 1994) and are elevated among women in romantic relationships (Schneiderman et al., 2012; Taylor et al., 2006; Turner et al., 1999), suggesting an influence on affiliation, emotional closeness, and pair-bonding.”
BackgroundClose Relationships and Health in Daily Life
Stadler, G., Snyder, K. A., Horn, A. B., Shrout, P. E., & Bolger, N. P. (2012) · Psychosomatic Medicine · doi:10.1097/psy.0b013e31825473b8 · Cited by 96
Positive Interpersonal Processes
Algoe, S. B. (2019) · Current Directions in Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/0963721419827272 · Cited by 101
Bagdy, G., Kalogeras, K. T., & Szemeredi, K. (1992) · European Journal of Pharmacology · doi:10.1016/0014-2999(92)90279-d · Cited by 83
Mascaro, J. S., Hackett, P. D., & Rilling, J. K. (2014) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.04.014 · Cited by 84
“Related, OT is enhanced by sexual activity (Carmichael et al., 1987), which may have differed between the two groups.”
Pillow Talk: Exploring Disclosures After Sexual Activity
Denes, A. (2012) · Western Journal of Communication · doi:10.1080/10570314.2011.651253 · Cited by 80
“studies have only looked at oxytocin increases for women postorgasm (e.g., Blaicher et al., 1999; Carmichael et al., 1987).”
BackgroundThe Evolutionary Origin of Female Orgasm
Pavličev, M., & Wagner, G. P. (2016) · Journal of Experimental Zoology Part B Molecular and Developmental Evolution · doi:10.1002/jez.b.22690 · Cited by 85
“These are predominantly surges of PRL (Exton et al., ’99, 2001a, 2001b; Kruger et al., 2002; Huynh et al., 2013), LH (Exton et al., ’99), and oxytocin (Carmichael et al., ’87; Carmichael et al., ’94; Blaicher et al., ’99).”
BackgroundTheoretical frameworks for human behavioral endocrinology
Roney, J. R. (2016) · Hormones and Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2016.06.004 · Cited by 87
“…roles for oxytocin in pair-bond formation may be found in humans: oxytocin increases have been documented after orgasm in both men and women (e.g., Carmichael et al., 1987), and circulating oxytocin measures in new romantic partners have positively predicted both measures of engagement in the…”
Oxytocin: a therapeutic target for mental disorders
Matsuzaki, M., Matsushita, H., Tomizawa, K., & Matsui, H. (2012) · The Journal of Physiological Sciences · doi:10.1007/s12576-012-0232-9 · Cited by 79
“Although sexual activity and mating are accompanied by a high level of arousal, anecdotal and experimental evidence demonstrates that sedation and calmness are common in the post-coital period in humans [22, 32, 33].”
Harden, K. P. (2013) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/a0033564 · Cited by 88
“, 1999; Carmichael et al., 1987), and administration of synthetic OXT (prescribed for women having difficulty with breastfeeding) can increase sexual desire and vaginal lubrication (Anderson-Hunt & Dennerstein, 1994, 1995). A few previous studies have examined associations between human sexual behavior (in adulthood)…”
BackgroundInfluentialEbner, N. C., Lin, T., Muradoglu, M., Weir, D. H., Plasencia, G. M., Lillard, T. S., Pournajafi-Nazarloo, H., Cohen, R. A., Sue Carter, C., & Connelly, J. J. (2019) · International Journal of Psychophysiology · doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2018.01.008 · Cited by 79
The Health Benefits of Sexual Expression
Gianotten, W. L., Alley, J. C., & Diamond, L. M. (2021) · International Journal of Sexual Health · doi:10.1080/19317611.2021.1966564 · Cited by 79
“Numerous studies show that oxytocin increases during sexual arousal (Gimpl & Fahrenholz, 2001) and orgasm (Carmichael et al., 1987).”
BackgroundLevin, R. J. (2009) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01350.x · Cited by 77
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Male Anorgasmia Treated with Oxytocin
IsHak, W. W., Berman, D. S., & Peters, A. L. (2008) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2007.00691.x · Cited by 74
Nyuyki, K. D., Waldherr, M., Baeuml, S., & Neumann, I. D. (2011) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0023599 · Cited by 75
“the blood stream during orgasm both in men and women [22].”
BackgroundMeltzer, A. L., Makhanova, A., Hicks, L. L., French, J. E., McNulty, J. K., & Bradbury, T. N. (2017) · Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/0956797617691361 · Cited by 78
“For example, given that we drew from neurobiological research on sex (Bartels & Zeki, 2000; Carmichael et al., 1987; Young & Wang, 2004), future research may benefit from examining the role of neuropeptides and other neurochemicals in accounting for the length and implications of afterglow;…”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialVignozzi, L., Filippi, S., Luconi, M., Morelli, A., Mancina, R., Marini, M., Vannelli, G. B., Granchi, S., Orlando, C., Gelmini, S., et al. (2003) · Endocrinology · doi:10.1210/en.2003-0962 · Cited by 70
Oxytocin: An Emerging Regulator of Prolactin Secretion in the Female Rat
Kennett, J. E., & McKee, D. T. (2011) · Journal of Neuroendocrinology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2826.2011.02263.x · Cited by 72
Interaction of vasopressin and oxytocin with human breast carcinoma cells.
Taylor, A. H., Ang, V. T. Y., Jenkins, J. S., Silverlight, J. J., Coombes, R. C., & Luqmani, Y. A. (1990) · PubMed · Cited by 71
Oxytocin in the medial preoptic area facilitates male sexual behavior in the rat
Gil, M., Bhatt, R., Picotte, K. B., & Hull, E. M. (2011) · Hormones and Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2010.12.012 · Cited by 70
“Plasma concentrations of oxytocin increase during the sexual response in rats and humans (Carmichael et al., 1987; Stoneham, Everitt, Hansen, Lightman, & Todd, 1985).”
The pathophysiology of lifelong premature ejaculation
Waldinger, M. D. (2016) · Translational Andrology and Urology · doi:10.21037/tau.2016.06.04 · Cited by 70
“In men, plasma oxytocin levels are elevated during sexual arousal, erection, and at the time of orgasm, although the degree of the elevation varies between different studies (51-54).”
BackgroundHigham, J. P., Barr, C. S., Hoffman, C. L., Mandalaywala, T. M., Parker, K. J., & Maestripieri, D. (2011) · Behavioral Neuroscience · doi:10.1037/a0022695 · Cited by 69
“Since OT is also associated with sexual behavior in primates (e.g., humans, Carmichael et al., 1987; Carter, 1992; cotton-top tamarins, Snowdon et al., 2010), the observed higher levels of OT among NPNL females homozygous for the C allele may indicate that such females are more motivated to mate as…”
Vignozzi, L., Filippi, S., Morelli, A., Luconi, M., Jannini, E. A., Forti, G., & Maggi, M. (2008) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2008.00914.x · Cited by 69
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Birnbaum, G. E., & Finkel, E. J. (2015) · Current Opinion in Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2014.11.009 · Cited by 75
“Indeed, the neuropeptides oxytocin and vasopressin, which are secreted during sexual activity [17–20] facilitate bonding behaviors among both humans and other mammals [21 ,22 ,23,24 ].”
BackgroundNeural pathways mediating vaginal function: The vagus nerves and spinal cord oxytocin
Komisaruk, B. R., & Sansone, G. R. (2003) · Scandinavian Journal of Psychology · doi:10.1111/1467-9450.00341 · Cited by 68
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Targeted Orexin and Hypothalamic Neuropeptides for Migraine
Strother, L. C., Srikiatkhachorn, A., & Supronsinchai, W. (2018) · Neurotherapeutics · doi:10.1007/s13311-017-0602-3 · Cited by 66
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Oxytocin Involvement in Male and Female Sexual Behavior
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“Oxytocin neurons are activated and oxytocin is released during sexual intercourse (Carmichael et al., 1987; Pfaus and Heeb, 1997; Ross et al., 2009; Waldherr and Neumann, 2007) suggesting that information from genitalia can reach oxytocin neurons in the hypothalamus.”
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Wellings, K., Palmer, M. J., Machiyama, K., & Slaymaker, E. (2019) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.l1525 · Cited by 66
Oxytocin and rodent sociosexual responses: from behavior to gene expression
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Sperm transport and survival in the mare
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Mueller, A., Siemer, J., Schreiner, S., Koesztner, H., Hoffmann, I., Binder, H., Beckmann, M. W., & Dittrich, R. (2006) · Human Reproduction · doi:10.1093/humrep/del056 · Cited by 62
“Several studies have shown that levels of oxytocin increase during sexual stimulation and arousal, with a peak during orgasm in women and in men ( Carmichael et al., 1987; Murphy et al., 1990; Carter, 1992; Gimpl and Fahrenholz, 2001; Argiolas and Melis, 2003; Salonia et al., 2005).”
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The Neurobiology of Love and Pair Bonding from Human and Animal Perspectives
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Contractile activity of vasotocin, oxytocin, and vasopressin on mammalian prostate
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Recent Advances in Pharmacotherapy for Migraine Prevention: From Pathophysiology to New Drugs
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Dramatic Improvement in Sexual Function Induced by Intranasal Oxytocin
MacDonald, K. S., & Feifel, D. (2012) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02703.x · Cited by 59
Seltzer, L. J., & Ziegler, T. E. (2007) · Hormones and Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2006.12.012 · Cited by 58
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“There is normally a significant release of oxytocin into the bloodstream within one minute after orgasm in healthy women and in some cases blood levels are still elevated after five minutes (Carmichael et al., 1987, 1994; Cross & Wakerley, 1977).”
BackgroundAre There Different Types of Female Orgasm?
King, R., Belsky, J., Mah, K., & Binik, Y. M. (2010) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-010-9639-7 · Cited by 58
“Oxytocin is a well-known correlate of female orgasm (Anderson & Dennerstein, 1994, 1995; Blaicher et al., 1999; Carmichael et al., 1987; Carmichael, Warburton, Dixen, & Davidson, 1994); producing anaesthetic, floating sensations while making one more trusting of others (Kosfeld, Heinrichs, Zak, Fischbacher, & Fehr, 20…”
BackgroundAdvances in understanding and treating premature ejaculation
Saitz, T. R., & Şerefoğlu, E. C. (2015) · Nature Reviews Urology · doi:10.1038/nrurol.2015.252 · Cited by 58
The oxytocin receptor signalling system and breast cancer: a critical review
Liu, H., Gruber, C. W., Alewood, P. F., Möller, A., & Muttenthaler, M. (2020) · Oncogene · doi:10.1038/s41388-020-01415-8 · Cited by 60
“In age-matched nulliparous women, breast cancer incidence was lower in the sexually active group than in the celibate group [43], which also aligns with increased OT plasma levels in sexually aroused women [48].”
BackgroundDrugs of Abuse and Sexual Functioning
Palha, A. J. P., & Esteves, M. F. (2008) · KARGER eBooks · doi:10.1159/000126628 · Cited by 58
Rupp, H. A., James, T. W., Ketterson, E. D., Sengelaub, D. R., Ditzen, B., & Heiman, J. R. (2012) · Hormones and Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2012.10.007 · Cited by 58
“, 2005), is elevatedwhen sexual arousal does occur (Carmichael et al., 1987) and increases with orgasm (Blaicher et al.”
Hormonal systems, human social bonding, and affiliation
Gangestad, S. W., & Grebe, N. M. (2016) · Hormones and Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2016.08.005 · Cited by 55
“OT is also involved in the muscle contractions that occur during orgasm for both men and women (Carmichael et al., 1987; Filippi et al., 2002).”
BackgroundThe Evolution of Female Orgasm: Adaptation or Byproduct?
Puts, D. A., & Khytam Dawood, B. (2006) · Twin Research and Human Genetics · doi:10.1375/183242706777591344 · Cited by 57
Oxytocin and opioid addiction revisited: old drug, new applications
Zanos, P., Georgiou, P., Weber, C. D., Robinson, F., Kouimtsidis, C., Niforooshan, R., & Bailey, A. (2017) · British Journal of Pharmacology · doi:10.1111/bph.13757 · Cited by 54
Marson, L., & Murphy, A. Z. (2006) · American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology · doi:10.1152/ajpregu.00864.2005 · Cited by 56
“, 21, 72, 73, 75) and may be involved in the increased circulating levels of oxytocin reported during sexual behavior (10, 22).”
BackgroundEffects of Emotion on Oxytocin, Prolactin, and ACTH in Women
Turner, R. A., Altemus, M. M., Yip, D. N., Kupferman, E., Fletcher, D., Bostrom, A., Lyons, D. M., & Amico, J. A. (2002) · Stress · doi:10.1080/1025389021000037586-1 · Cited by 55
“Although oxytocin is released into the periphery during lactation, parturition and sexual stimulation in women and during orgasm in men and women (Carmichael et al., 1987), there has been ISSN 1025-3890 print/ISSN 1067-8888 online q 2002 Taylor & Francis Ltd DOI:…”
BackgroundNeuroendocrine Aspects of Tourette Syndrome
Martino, D., Macerollo, A., & Leckman, J. F. (2013) · International review of neurobiology · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-411546-0.00009-3 · Cited by 59
Erectile Dysfunction: Treatments, Advances and New Therapeutic Strategies
Argiolas, A., Argiolas, F. M., Argiolas, G., & Melis, M. R. (2023) · Brain Sciences · doi:10.3390/brainsci13050802 · Cited by 63
Sexual behavior of domesticated ruminants
Katz, L. S. (2007) · Hormones and Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2007.03.012 · Cited by 55
Ejaculation: Physiology and Dysfunction
McDonnell, S. M. (1992) · Veterinary Clinics of North America Equine Practice · doi:10.1016/s0749-0739(17)30466-2 · Cited by 55
Oxytocin secretion is pulsatile in men and is related to social-emotional functioning
Baskaran, C., Plessow, F., Silva, L., Asanza, E., Marengi, D., Eddy, K. T., Sluss, P. M., Johnson, M. L., Misra, M., & Lawson, E. A. (2017) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.07.486 · Cited by 50
“In humans, peripheral OXT levels increase in response to physiological factors such as lactation (McNeilly et al., 1983) and parturition (Fuchs et al., 1991) in women, and sexual stimulation (Carmichael et al., 1987) in men, suggesting pulsatile secretion.”
BackgroundHicks, L. L., McNulty, J. K., Meltzer, A. L., & Olson, M. A. (2016) · Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/0956797616638650 · Cited by 53
“Most notably, the numerous positive affective responses that sexual intercourse produces (Carmichael et al., 1987; Sbarra & Hazan, 2008; Young & Wang, 2004) should automatically become more strongly associated with the partner as the frequency of sex increases.”
Redelman, M. (2008) · American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine® · doi:10.1177/1049909108318569 · Cited by 52
Zhang, X.-H., Melman, A., & DiSanto, M. E. (2011) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2011.02218.x · Cited by 51
Waldinger, M. D. (2013) · Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.pbb.2013.12.004 · Cited by 51
Oxytocin inhibits male sexual behavior in prairie voles
Mahalati, K., Okanoya, K., Witt, D. M., & Carter, C. S. (1991) · Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior · doi:10.1016/0091-3057(91)90426-3 · Cited by 51
Gil, M., Bhatt, R., Picotte, K. B., & Hull, E. M. (2013) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2013.02.002 · Cited by 52
“, 2005), is associated with the sexual response in men and women (Carmichael et al., 1987), and facilitates social cognition (Guastella et al.”
BackgroundWorsley, R., Santoro, N. F., Miller, K. K., Parish, S. J., & Davis, S. R. (2016) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2015.12.014 · Cited by 50
Oxytocin—a social peptide? Deconstructing the evidence
Leng, G., Leng, R., & Ludwig, M. (2022) · Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rstb.2021.0055 · Cited by 51
Shinghal, R., Barnes, A., Mahar, K. M., Stier, B., Giancaterino, L., Condreay, L. D., Black, L. K., & McCallum, S. W. (2013) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1111/jsm.12272 · Cited by 48
Aged rats are still responsive to the antidepressant and memory-improving effects of oxytocin
Arletti, R., Benelli, A., Poggioli, R., Luppi, P., Menozzi, B., & Bertolini, A. (1995) · Neuropeptides · doi:10.1016/0143-4179(95)90021-7 · Cited by 48
The role of oxytocin: present concepts
Jenkins, J. S., & Nussey, S. (1991) · Clinical Endocrinology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2265.1991.tb00333.x · Cited by 48
Activity of peptidergic neurons in the amygdala during sexual behavior in the male rat
Minerbo, G., Albeck, D. S., Goldberg, E., Lindberg, T., Nakari, M., Martinez, C., Garritano, J., & Smock, T. (1994) · Experimental Brain Research · doi:10.1007/bf00241538 · Cited by 48
“Central injections of vasopressin and oxytocin can produce sexual behaviors (Arletti et al. 1985; Melis et al. 1986) and plasma and CSF levels of vasopressin and/ or oxytocin have been reported to increase after sexual activity (Hughes et al. 1987; Sharma and Hays 1973; Stoneham et al. 1985) and orgasm ( Carmichael et…”
BackgroundGryksa, K., & Neumann, I. D. (2021) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105601 · Cited by 53
The potential for oxytocin (OT) to prevent breast cancer: a hypothesis
Murrell, T. G. C. (1995) · Breast Cancer Research and Treatment · doi:10.1007/bf00668213 · Cited by 47
“OT levels have also been shown to rise with orgasm in women and in men [ 13 ].”
BackgroundCentral Oxytocin and Food Intake: Focus on Macronutrient-Driven Reward
Klockars, A., Levine, A. S., & Olszewski, P. K. (2015) · Frontiers in Endocrinology · doi:10.3389/fendo.2015.00065 · Cited by 46
Mueller, A., Maltaris, T., Siemer, J., Binder, H., Hoffmann, I., Beckmann, M. W., & Dittrich, R. (2006) · Human Reproduction · doi:10.1093/humrep/del118 · Cited by 46
“Oxytocin levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle and correlate with genital lubrication and sexual arousal in women ( Carmichael et al., 1987; Murphy et al., 1990; Carter, 1992; Gimpl and Fahrenholz, 2001; Argiolas and Melis, 2003); they are therefore believed to play a role in the peripheral activation of sex…”
BackgroundInfluential
Metadata
- Authors
- CARMICHAEL, M. S., HUMBERT, R., DIXEN, J., PALMISANO, G., GREENLEAF, W., & DAVIDSON, J. M.
- Affiliations
- Stanford Medicine (US)
- Venue
- The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
- Publisher
- The Endocrine Society
- Published
- 1987-01
- Volume
- 64
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 27-31
- ISSN
- 0021-972X (ISSN-L)
- 1945-7197
- OpenAlex
- W2035261481
- Cited by
- 554
- References
- 36
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 36 · 2017: 19 · 2016: 32 · 2015: 27 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 23 · 2012: 30
- FWCI
- 11.48
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- School of Medicine, Stanford University
- Claude Pepper Older Americans Independence Center, Wake Forest School of Medicine
- National Institute on Aging (AG 01435)
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (5F32HD-01/02)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Sexual function and dysfunction studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones
- Keywords
- plasma oxytocin, human sexual response, sexual arousal, orgasm, ejaculation, self-stimulation, smooth muscle contraction, reproductive system, sex differences
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Ejaculation, Electromyography, Female, Humans, Male, Muscle Contraction, Muscle, Smooth, Orgasm, Oxytocin, Pelvis, Pulse, Radioimmunoassay, Regional Blood Flow
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