The DOI matches its Crossref record; 36 of the 36 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
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
Citations
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The Genetics and Epidemiology of Female Sexual Dysfunction: A Review
Burri, A. V., Cherkas, L. M., & Spector, T. D. (2008) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2008.01144.x · Cited by 201
“Oxytocin (OXT) Circulating levels of OT increase during sexual arousal and orgasm in both men and women [ 83 ].”
BackgroundPatterns of steroid hormone effects on electrical and molecular events in hypothalamic neurons
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Neurobiological correlates of masculine sexual behavior.
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A sexual arousability model involving steroid effects at the plasma membrane
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Neurobiology of Sexual Response in Men and Women
Rowland, D. L. (2006) · CNS Spectrums · doi:10.1017/s1092852900026705 · Cited by 45
van Netten, J. J., Georgiadis, J. R., Nieuwenburg, A., & Kortekaas, R. (2006) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-006-9112-9 · Cited by 45
“Uterine contractions are assumed to occur during orgasm (Bohlen et al., 1982; Chayen, Tejani, Verma, & Gordon, 1979; Masters & Johnson, 1966) because oxytocin, a powerful stimulant of uterine smooth muscle, is released into the blood during orgasm (Carmichael et al., 1987, 1994).”
BackgroundEpidemiological and biochemical support for a theory on the cause and prevention of breast cancer
Murrell, T. G. C. (1991) · Medical Hypotheses · doi:10.1016/0306-9877(91)90018-t · Cited by 45
Regulatory Mechanisms of Oxytocin‐Mediated Sociosexual Behavior
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Premature Ejaculation: Psychophysiological Considerations in Theory, Research, and Treatment
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Oxytocin, Erectile Function and Sexual Behavior: Last Discoveries and Possible Advances
Melis, M. R., & Argiolas, A. (2021) · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · doi:10.3390/ijms221910376 · Cited by 45
Oxytocin administered during labor and breast-feeding: a retrospective cohort study
García-Fortea, P., González‐Mesa, E., Alonso, M. B., Cazorla‐Granados, O., Delgado-Ríos, M., & Valenzuela, M. J. G. (2013) · The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine · doi:10.3109/14767058.2013.871255 · Cited by 45
“Many experimental studies in animals and humans have demonstrated oxytocin to be involved in regulation of social behavior, particularly as regards recognition of fellows, development of aggressive behavior and development of affiliative–associative behaviors [3–8].”
BackgroundNeurohypophyseal peptides in aging and Alzheimer’s disease
Ishunina, T. A., & Swaab, D. F. (2002) · Ageing Research Reviews · doi:10.1016/s1568-1637(02)00013-2 · Cited by 44
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“levels of the nonapeptide in response to sexual activity in healthy male subjects [10, 16].”
BackgroundEffects of Oxytocin Outside Pregnancy
Lippert, T. H., Mueck, A. O., Seeger, H., & Pfaff, A. (2003) · Hormone Research in Paediatrics · doi:10.1159/000074243 · Cited by 43
“Release following Sexual Stimulation Measuring oxytocin concentrations in the blood following sexual activity has indicated that oxytocin may also play a physiological part in the reproductive system outside pregnancy. Thus, both in women and men, significantly raised oxytocin levels were registered following sexual s…”
BackgroundSexual Motivation Promotes Oxytocin Secretion in Male Rats
Hillegaart, V., Alster, P., Uvnäs‐Moberg, K., & Ahlénius, S. (1998) · Peptides · doi:10.1016/s0196-9781(97)00250-7 · Cited by 43
Theodoridou, A., Rowe, A. C., & Mohr, C. (2013) · Frontiers in Human Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnhum.2013.00197 · Cited by 40
“ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE published: 27 May 2013 doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2013.00197 Men perform comparably to women in a perspective taking task after administration of intranasal oxytocin but not after placebo”
BackgroundInfluentialHow Relevant is the Systemic Oxytocin Concentration for Human Sexual Behavior? A Systematic Review
Cera, N., Vargas-Cáceres, S., Oliveira, C., Monteiro, J., Branco, D., Pignatelli, D., & Rebelo, S. (2021) · Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.esxm.2021.100370 · Cited by 42
“The task used has been the sexual self-stimulation that could be associated to visual sexual stimulation.(30-32,35) Interestingly, most of the studies, assessing orgasm and ejaculation, did not use psychophysiological measures, only based on subjective reports.”
BackgroundMethodClément, P., Bernabé, J., Compagnie, S., Alexandre, L., McCallum, S. W., & Giuliano, F. (2013) · British Journal of Pharmacology · doi:10.1111/bph.12198 · Cited by 42
“In rats and humans, a peak of plasma level of OT has been reported at the time of ejaculation (Stoneham et al., 1985; Carmichael et al., 1987; Murphy et al., 1987).”
BackgroundPontine Control of Ejaculation and Female Orgasm
Huynh, H. K., Willemsen, A. T. M., Lovick, T. A., & Holstege, G. (2013) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1111/jsm.12300 · Cited by 42
Ågmo, A., & Laan, E. (2022) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104595 · Cited by 42
Oxytocin – a stimulator of directed sperm transport in humans
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“…et al., 1998), oxytocin is released from the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland in response to vaginal distension and in response to tactile as well as emotional stimuli (Fox et al., 1970; Fox and Fox, 1971; Fox, 1973, 1976; Carmichael et al., 1987; Murphy et al., 1987; Gilbert et al., 1991).”
BackgroundZHANG, X. H., Filippi, S., Vignozzi, L., Morelli, A., Mancina, R., Luconi, M., Donati, S., Marini, M., Vannelli, G. B., Forti, G., et al. (2005) · Journal of Endocrinology · doi:10.1677/joe.1.05885 · Cited by 42
“We thank Dr S Deaglio (Laboratory of Cell Biology, Department of Genetics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy) www.endocrinology-journals.orgJournal of Endocrinology (2005) 184, 567–576 for kindly providing the anti-OTR monoclonal mouse antibody (CHINA/1F3).”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialNeonatal stress transiently alters the development of hippocampal oxytocin receptors
Noonan, L. R., Caldwell, J. D., Li, L., Walker, C. H., Pedersen, C. A., & Mason, G. (1994) · Developmental Brain Research · doi:10.1016/0165-3806(94)90094-9 · Cited by 42
Stadler, B., Whittaker, M. R., Exintaris, B., & Middendorff, R. (2020) · Frontiers in Endocrinology · doi:10.3389/fendo.2020.565731 · Cited by 43
“It was also noted that baseline OT-levels were either higher in women then in men (144, 147) with higher blood flow to the pituitary gland during orgasm in women (148) or the same in men, women and pregnant women (149, 150).”
BackgroundHerzmann, G., Bird, C. W., Freeman, M., & Curran, T. (2013) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2013.04.002 · Cited by 40
“Oxytocin has been shown to affect sexual arousal (Carmichael et al., 1987, 1994).”
Frequent Sex Protects Intimates From the Negative Implications of Their Neuroticism
Russell, V. M., & McNulty, J. K. (2010) · Social Psychological and Personality Science · doi:10.1177/1948550610387162 · Cited by 42
“For example, several studies indicate that sex is associated with the release of oxytocin (Carmichael et al., 1987) and endogenous opioids (Sbarra & Hazan, 2008), chemicals associated with less negative affect and more positive affect (Koepp et al., 2009; Scantamburlo et al., 2007).”
Kenna, G. A., Swift, R. M., Hillemacher, T., & Leggio, L. (2012) · Neuropsychology Review · doi:10.1007/s11065-012-9209-y · Cited by 38
“In humans, sexual behavior is associated with increases in blood and brain oxytocin activity and increased bonding with and positive feelings about one’s partner (Carmichael et al. 1987; Bancroft 2005).”
Pharmacotherapeutic management of erectile dysfunction
Hawksworth, D., & Burnett, A. (2015) · Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics · doi:10.1002/cpt.261 · Cited by 38
“In humans, it has been documented that following sexual stimulation, plasma levels of oxytocin are significantly increased.(28) Calcium has been suggested to be a second messenger mediating oxytocin-induced penile erection.”
BackgroundSafety and Efficacy of Escitalopram in the Treatment of Premature Ejaculation
Safarinejad, M. R. (2007) · Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology · doi:10.1097/jcp.0b013e31814b98d4 · Cited by 38
“In addition, in male and female human orgasms, oxytocin is released just before and during orgasm.(34) Therefore, differential effects of SSRIs on ejaculation may be related to influence of postsynaptic 5-HT receptors on central oxytocinergic neurons.”
BackgroundRetractedFemale orgasm but not male ejaculation activates the pituitary. A PET-neuro-imaging study
Huynh, H. K., Willemsen, A. T. M., & Holstege, G. (2013) · NeuroImage · doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2013.03.012 · Cited by 37
“Although the hypothalamic responses via the pituitary are rather slow, relatively fast events as ejaculation in men, but especially sexual orgasm in women result in fast increases of oxytocin in the peripheral circulation (Blaicher et al., 1999; Carmichael et al., 1987), while vasopressin remains unchanged (Kruger et…”
BackgroundInfluentialEvolutionary Science of Female Orgasm
Wheatley, J. R., & Puts, D. A. (2014) · Evolutionary psychology · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-09384-0_7 · Cited by 37
“1991), which may stimulate elevated oxytocin release (Carmichael et al. 1994; Carmichael et al. 1987) leading to sperm transport (Wildt et al.”
BackgroundAutism - A Neurodevelopmental Journey from Genes to Behaviour
Eapen, V. (2011) · InTech eBooks · doi:10.5772/974 · Cited by 36
The Roles of Testosterone and Alpha-Amylase in Exercise-Induced Sexual Arousal in Women
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Oxytocin and Behavior: Evidence for Effects in the Brain
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“In humans, the most notable peripheral OT release is related to childbirth, breast-feeding, and copulation.(16,22,33)”
BackgroundAffection substitution: The effect of pornography consumption on close relationships
Hesse, C., & Floyd, K. (2019) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/0265407519841719 · Cited by 45
“Second, when accompanied by masturbation to sexual orgasm, it is associated with the release of reward-imparting hormones such as dopamine (Krüger et al., 2005), prolactin (Krüger, Haake, Hartmann, Schedlowski, & Exton, 2002), and oxytocin (Carmichael et al., 1987).”
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“OT is known to increase from baseline levels after sexual arousal and is linked to a number of prosocial behaviors (Blaicher et al., 1999; Carmichael et al., 1987).”
BackgroundInteractions of Oxytocin and Dopamine—Effects on Behavior in Health and Disease
Petersson, M., & Uvnäs‐Moberg, K. (2024) · Biomedicines · doi:10.3390/biomedicines12112440 · Cited by 44
“In humans, oxytocin and dopamine increase in response to both sexual arousal and sexual activity [86–88], and imaging studies with fMRI have demonstrated an increase in the activity in the VTA in response to oxytocin intranasally and erotic stimuli in both men and women [41,57].”
Biology as consent: Problematizing the scientific approach to seducing women's bodies
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“Together, these findings suggest that during sexual activity, nerve release of agonists such as noradrenaline [48], associated distension [30] and released hormones such as oxytocin [46] will increase pacemaker effectiveness until threshold for opening voltage-activated L-type Ca channels is reached and phasic vaginal…”
BackgroundNeurochemical Aspects of the Sexual Response Cycle
Halaris, A. E. (2003) · CNS Spectrums · doi:10.1017/s1092852900024445 · Cited by 35
Peri, A., Fantoni, G., Granchi, S., Vannelli, G. B., Barni, T., Amerini, S., Pupilli, C., Barbagli, G., Forti, G., Serio, M., et al. (1997) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jcem.82.11.4395 · Cited by 34
Large household reduces dementia mortality: A cross-sectional data analysis of 183 populations
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Oxytocin: A citation network analysis of 10 000 papers
Leng, G., & Leng, R. (2021) · Journal of Neuroendocrinology · doi:10.1111/jne.13014 · Cited by 34
Is Oxytocin Application for Autism Spectrum Disorder Evidence-Based?
Lee, S. Y., Lee, A. R., Hwangbo, R., Han, J., Hong, M., & Bahn, G. H. (2015) · Experimental Neurobiology · doi:10.5607/en.2015.24.4.312 · Cited by 33
“In a healthy human population, nipple stimulation facilitates oxytocin release [32] and plasma oxytocin levels are increased during orgasm in both women and men [33, 34].”
BackgroundGreater family size is associated with less cancer risk: an ecological analysis of 178 countries
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Behavioral characteristics of pair bonding in the black tufted-ear marmoset (Callithrix penicillata)
Birnie, A. K., Smith, A. S., Ågmo, A., & French, J. A. (2012) · Behaviour · doi:10.1163/156853912x638454 · Cited by 31
“It is also important to note that sexual activity releases oxytocin in rats (Waldherr & Neumann, 2007), rabbits (Stoneham et al., 1985) and humans (Carmichael et al., 1987, 1994).”
Río, R. T.-D., Tecamachaltzi-Silvarán, M. B., Díaz-Estrada, V. X., Herrera‐Covarrubias, D., Corona-Morales, A. A., Pfaus, J. G., & Coria‐Ávila, G. A. (2015) · Behavioural Brain Research · doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2015.01.019 · Cited by 33
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“…including increased sexual behavior, and evidence that sexual arousal and mating are associated with increases in peripheral OT in female mammals (Carmichael et al., 1987; Salonia et al., 2005), we predicted that periovulatory females in consortships would have higher urinary OT levels than…”
InfluentialThe role of orgasm in the development and shaping of partner preferences
Coria‐Ávila, G. A., Herrera‐Covarrubias, D., Ismail, N., & Pfaus, J. G. (2016) · Socioaffective Neuroscience & Psychology · doi:10.3402/snp.v6.31815 · Cited by 30
“The role of orgasm in the development and shaping of partner preferences”
BackgroundSocial Environment Affects Peripheral Oxytocin and Cortisol during Stress Responses in Guinea‐Pigs
Machatschke, I. H., Wallner, B., Schams, D., & Dittami, J. (2004) · Ethology · doi:10.1111/j.1439-0310.2004.00966.x · Cited by 29
Normandin, J. J., & Murphy, A. Z. (2011) · Hormones and Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2011.02.006 · Cited by 30
“For example, in both humans and rats, OT is released into the blood as a result of sexual behavior (Carmichael et al., 1987; Ivell et al., 1997; Stoneham et al., 1985).”
Gilbert, C. L., Jenkins, K., & Wathes, D. C. (1991) · Reproduction · doi:10.1530/jrf.0.0910337 · Cited by 30
Floyd, K. (2004) · Journal of Family Communication · doi:10.1080/15267431.2004.9670137 · Cited by 29
“Several investigations have indicated that oxytocin is released into the circulatory systems of both men and women at sexual orgasm (Carmichael et al., 1987; Murphy, Seckl, Burton, Checkley, & Lightman, 1990; Richard, Moos, & Freund-Mercier, 1991).”
BackgroundDenes, A. (2015) · Communication Research · doi:10.1177/0093650215619216 · Cited by 29
“The present findings also suggest that the PSTI is a time when individuals feel especially safe and connected with their partners, which may be linked to the surges of oxytocin that accompany orgasm (Blaicher et al., 1999; Carmichael et al., 1987).”
BackgroundFrom affiliative behaviors to romantic feelings: A role of nanopeptides
Dębiec, J. (2007) · FEBS Letters · doi:10.1016/j.febslet.2007.03.095 · Cited by 30
The Oxytocin System and Implications for Oxytocin Deficiency in Hypothalamic-Pituitary Disease
Aulinas, A., & Lawson, E. A. (2025) · Endocrine Reviews · doi:10.1210/endrev/bnaf008 · Cited by 31
Sexual Activity Recommendations in High-Risk Pregnancies: What is the Evidence?
MacPhedran, S. E. (2018) · Sexual Medicine Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2018.01.004 · Cited by 29
Copulatory and Postcopulatory Sexual Selection in Primates
Dixson, A. F. (2018) · Folia Primatologica · doi:10.1159/000488105 · Cited by 28
“However coitus (irrespective of whether a female orgasm occurs) induces the release of oxytocin in women [Carmichael et al., 1987; Komisaruk et al., 2006], and Wildt et al. [1998] have shown experimentally that administering oxytocin to women causes uterine contractions to increase in strength and…”
BackgroundFunctional gene networks reveal distinct mechanisms segregating in migraine families
Rasmussen, A., Kogelman, L. J. A., Kristensen, D. M., Chalmer, M. A., Olesen, J., & Hansen, T. F. (2020) · Brain · doi:10.1093/brain/awaa242 · Cited by 29
“For the latter, it is reported that 47% experience relief from migraine during sex (Carmichael et al. , 1987; Evans and Couch, 2001).”
BackgroundAnimal Models for the Study of Female Sexual Dysfunction
Marson, L., Giamberardino, M. A., Costantini, R., Czakanski, P. P., & Wesselmann, U. (2013) · Sexual Medicine Reviews · doi:10.1002/smrj.14 · Cited by 28
Relational Maintenance Strategies During the Post Sex Time Interval
Denes, A., Dhillon, A., & Speer, A. C. (2016) · Communication Quarterly · doi:10.1080/01463373.2016.1245206 · Cited by 28
“Orgasmmay be an important predictor of post sex communication due to its association with the prosocial hormone OT (Blaicher et al., 1999; Carmichael et al., 1987).”
BackgroundOxytocin in the semen and gonads of the stallion
Watson, E. D., Nikolakopoulos, E., Gilbert, C. L., & Goode, J. A. (1999) · Theriogenology · doi:10.1016/s0093-691x(99)00032-1 · Cited by 28
Oxytocin plasma levels in orgasmic and anorgasmic women
Caruso, S., Mauro, D., Scalia, G., Palermo, C. I., Rapisarda, A. M. C., & Cianci, A. (2017) · Gynecological Endocrinology · doi:10.1080/09513590.2017.1336219 · Cited by 27
“Furthermore, orgasm intensity seems to be correlated with plasma Oxt levels in selfstimulation multiorgasmic women [21].”
BackgroundBAXTER, A. B., Anderson, M., Seelke, A. M. H., Kinnally, E. L., Freeman, S. M., & Bales, K. L. (2020) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-020-74243-1 · Cited by 26
The Effect of Single-Dose Oxytocin Application on Time to Ejaculation and Seminal Parameters in Men
Walch, K., Eder, R., Schindler, A., & Feichtinger, W. (2001) · Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics · doi:10.1023/a:1013115301159 · Cited by 27
“Some previous studies described higher circulating levels of oxytocin during sexual arousal and immediately after ejaculation in rabbits (4), and also in human sexual response (7,8).”
BackgroundCurrent and Emerging Treatments for Premature Ejaculation
McMahon, C. G. (2015) · Sexual Medicine Reviews · doi:10.1002/smrj.49 · Cited by 27
Premature ejaculation: focus on therapeutic targets
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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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