Cited by 398Sexual function and dysfunction studiesHypothalamic control of reproductive hormonesNeuroendocrine regulation and behavior

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 133 of the 139 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; 2 of the 143 sources its claims cite were checked for support.

The endocrinology of sexual arousal

Open access
Bancroft, J·2005·Journal of Endocrinology

Abstract

The relevance of testosterone, oestradiol and certain peptides (oxytocin (OT), beta-endorphin and prolactin (PRL)) to sexual arousal in humans is reviewed. In addition to behavioural studies, evidence of distribution of gonadal steroid receptors in the brain and the limited evidence from brain imaging are also considered. Testosterone plays a key role in the adult male, with clear, consistent evidence from studies of hypogonadal and eugonadal men. The roles of testosterone in the development of sexual arousability, and in the aging male, are less clear. The relevance of aromatization and of non-sexual effects of testosterone which might indirectly influence sexual arousal are not well understood. Testosterone in the female presents a more complex, less consistent picture. One possible explanation is a much greater variability across women in responsiveness to testosterone. A 'desensitization hypothesis' to account for the striking gender differences is offered. There is limited evidence of a direct effect of oestradiol on sexual arousability in women. The extent to which testosterone in women acts by conversion to oestradiol or by increase of free oestradiol is not yet clear. The role of peptides in sexual arousal remains uncertain, partly because of the multiple roles and sites of action of most peptides. OT and beta-endorphin appear to have both excitatory and inhibitory effects. PRL has been proposed as an inhibitory factor via direct inhibition of dopaminergic activity, but the evidence for this is inconclusive. Whereas the traditional concept of 'hormone' continues to apply to the role of testosterone and oestradiol in sexual arousal, peptides present a more complex role.

Overview

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1677/joe.1.06233

Cites

133 of 133 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Verification

Claims the paper makes

2 of 143 cited sources checked · 2 supported · 0 flagged

Show all 107 claims

  • It may state two separate claims as one. 88
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 2
  • Probably not a substantial claim. 45
119 of 119
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Findings from non-human primate studies on the site of action of testosterone in the brain are relevant to the human brain and to human sexual arousal.

    “For obvious reasons, we are largely dependent on animal studies on this topic, although mainly primate studies will be considered here.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The localization of androgen receptors in the brain indicates sites where androgens act on sexual and reproductive behaviour.

    “Whereas much of the reported localization is consistent with androgenic effects on sexual and reproductive behaviour”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Plasma hormone changes during sexual arousal or orgasm reflect central mechanisms relevant to sexual function.

    “So far, no changes in plasma levels of -endorphin have been found during sexual arousal or orgasm in men (Kruger et al. 1998) or women (Exton et al. 1999).”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    There is a striking difference in the sensitivity of the female and male brain to testosterone.

    “The striking difference in the sensitivity of the female and male brain to testosterone is a crucial issue waiting to be explained.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Greater levels of testosterone in men are necessary for masculinizing effects such as increased growth and muscle bulk, dependent on the peripheral anabolic effects of testosterone.

    “Greater levels of testosterone in men are necessary for masculinizing effects, such as increased growth and muscle bulk, dependent on the peripheral anabolic effects of testosterone.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    In women, behavioural responsiveness to gonadal steroids is less crucial to reproduction than in men.

    “on the grounds that in women behavioural responsiveness to gonadal steroids is less crucial to reproduction than is the case with men.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    There is striking variability in the responsiveness of women to testosterone.

    “Given the striking variability in the responsiveness of women to testosterone, there is a need to identify markers of testosterone responsiveness.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The recent controversy over testosterone patches for low sexual desire in women, and the FDA refusal to approve such use even for postoophorectomized women, is partly based on the relatively weak treatment effect in the reported studies.

    “The recent controversy over the use of testosterone patches for low sexual desire in women, and the refusal by the Federal Drug Administration to approve such use, even for postoophorectomized women, is partly based on the relatively weak treatment effect in the reported studies.”
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Claims other papers make about this one

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Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • The same Kruger paper is listed under two publication years

    Minor

    The 2003b and 1998 references have the same authors, title, journal, volume, and pages, but different publication years. The text also treats 2003b as a separate study of men who did not ejaculate, so at least one reference is incorrect.

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Citations

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Show all 139 references

6 of the 139 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 5

  1. [6]6. Appelt H & Strauss B 1986 The psychoendocrinology of female sexuality: a research project. German Journal of Psychology 10 143-156.
  2. [61]61. Hull EM, Lorrain DS, Du J, Matuszewich L, Bitran D, Nishita JK & Scaletta LL 1998 Organizational and activational effects of dopamine on male sexual behavior. In Males, females and behavior: toward biological understanding. pp 79-96. Eds L Ellis & L Eberty. New York, NY: Greenwood Press.
  3. [73]73. Eds ER Kandel, JH Schwartz & TM Jessell. Norwalk: Appleton & Lange. Lindzey J & Korach KS 2003 Estrogen action in males: insights through mutations in aromatase and estrogen-receptor genes. In Androgens in Health and Disease, pp 89-102. Eds CJ Bagatell & WJ Bremner. Totawa: Humana Press.
  4. [86]86. Eds F Kandeel, T Lue, J Pryor & R Swerdloff. New York: Marcel Dekker. (In Press)
  5. [130]130. Wallen K & Parsons WA 1998 Androgen may increase sexual motivation in estrogen-treated ovariectomized rhesus monkeys by increasing estrogen availability. Serono International Symposium on Biology of Menopause. Newport Beach, CA, USA.

Cited by

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Items 101–200 of 396

Metadata

Authors
Bancroft, J.
Affiliations
Indiana University Bloomington (US)
Corresponding author
Bancroft, J
Venue
Journal of Endocrinology
Published
2005-09
Volume
186
Issue
3
Pages
411-427
ISSN
  • 0022-0795 (ISSN-L)
  • 1479-6805
OpenAlex
W2171688960
Cited by
398
References
139
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 21 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 20 · 2017: 25 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 19 · 2013: 28 · 2012: 25
FWCI
2.66
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Endocrinology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Sexual function and dysfunction studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
Keywords
sexual arousal, testosterone, estradiol, oxytocin, beta-endorphin, prolactin, brain, hypogonadism, older men, aromatization, gender differences, women, dopamine inhibition
MeSH terms
Adult, Aging, beta-Endorphin, Estradiol, Female, Humans, Libido, Male, Oxytocin, Prolactin, Reproduction, Sex, Sexual Behavior, Gonadal Steroid Hormones, Testosterone

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