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Effects of an oral contraceptive on sexual behavior of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

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Abstract

Behavioral and physiological effects of a combined oral contraceptive (OC) were studied in chimpanzees for comparative purposes related to (i) the ambiguity surrounding the effects of OCs on the sexuality of humans, (ii) the close biological relationship between chimpanzees and humans, especially with respect to endogenous sex hormones and sexual behavior, and (iii) the relatively greater behavioral sensitivity of the chimpanzee to changes in sex hormone levels such as those that accompany the use of OCs. Two different types of pair tests and detailed behavioral assessments were used to differentiate the hormonal effects of female behavior from social effects imposed by the male. Anogenital swelling and copulation were reduced during OC cycles, but the effect of the OC on copulation was directly related to the social and sexual relationship of the pair during natural cycles. The more compatible and more frequently copulating pairs in the natural cycles continued to copulate during the OC cycles, albeit at reduced rates, whereas the less compatible and less frequently copulating pairs ceased copulating altogether when the female received the OC. There was no independent effect of the OC on ejaculation per se. Both male and female sexual initiative were reduced in the OC cycles, but female responsiveness to male sexual solicitations and direct copulatory attempts were not affected. Data indicate that despite generally adverse effects of the OC on certain physiological and behavioral dimensions of sexuality, social factors ultimately determined the degree of response to the OC. The research on the chimpanzee serves two purposes relevant to women who use OCs: (i) it identifies three specific areas affected adversely by OCs (female genital tissues, sexual proceptivity, and sexual attractivity) and (ii) it suggests that the individuals who are most vulnerable to such effects of OCs are those with unusually high sensitivity to hormones and those with relatively low sexual activity or preexisting problems in sexual adjustment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center, Emory University, 30322, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

    Ronald D. Nadler Ph.D., Jeremy F. Dahl Ph.D. & Kenneth G. Gould Ph.D.

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kentucky Medical Center, 40536, Lexington, Kentucky, USA

    Delwood C. Collins Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Ronald D. Nadler Ph.D.
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  2. Jeremy F. Dahl Ph.D.
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  3. Kenneth G. Gould Ph.D.
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  4. Delwood C. Collins Ph.D.
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Additional information

Supported by grants HD-19060 from National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, BNS 87-08406 and BNS 91-09441 from the National Science Foundation to R.D.N. and grants RR-00165 and RR-03587 from the National Center for Research Resources, National Institutes of Health to the Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center of Emory University and KGG, respectively.

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Nadler, R.D., Dahl, J.F., Gould, K.G. et al. Effects of an oral contraceptive on sexual behavior of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Arch Sex Behav 22, 477–500 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01542561

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