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Serotonergic influences on male sexual behavior of rhesus monkeys: effects of serotonin agonists

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Abstract

Although numerous studies in rats have demonstrated an influence of serotonin (5-HT) on male copulation, no studies have yet to demonstrate whether such a relationship exists in primate species. The present study sought to characterize 5-HT influences on male copulatory behavior of rhesus monkeys by using three different 5-HT agonists: a full 5-HT1A agonist, 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT); a partial 5-HT1A agonist, ipsapirone; and a 5-HT1C/1D agonist, m-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP). 8-OH-DPAT had a biphasic effect upon ejaculation latency, with low doses (5–10 µg/kg) producing a shortening of ejaculation latency (time from initiation of copulation to ejaculation), and the highest dose (100 µg/kg) producing a lengthening of ejaculation latency. Intromission frequency (number of intromissions preceding ejaculation) was affected only at 10 µg/kg 8-OH-DPAT with monkeys requiring fewer intromissions to ejaculation at this dose. Ipsapirone administration led to a shortening of ejaculation latency at all doses tested (50–800 µg/kg), and a reduction in intromission frequency at 200–800 µg/kg ipsapirone. Administration of the 5-HT1C/1D agonist, m-CPP, resulted in an increase in ejaculation latency at 200–400 µg/kg m-CPP and mount latency at 400 µg/kg m-CPP, but did not affect intromission frequency. In summary, stimulation of 5-HT1A receptors lowered the ejaculatory threshold of the monkeys, while stimulation of 5-HT1C/1D receptors interfered with copulatory behavior and raised the ejaculatory threshold. These results provide evidence that copulatory behavior of rhesus monkeys is influenced by 5-HT receptor stimulation, however, the direction of the effect depends upon the subtype of 5-HT receptor being stimulated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 15261, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Steven M. Pomerantz & Bert C. Hepner

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 15261, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Steven M. Pomerantz & Joan M. Wertz

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  1. Steven M. Pomerantz
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  2. Bert C. Hepner
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Pomerantz, S.M., Hepner, B.C. & Wertz, J.M. Serotonergic influences on male sexual behavior of rhesus monkeys: effects of serotonin agonists. Psychopharmacology 111, 47–54 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02257406

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