Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg Strasse 1, D-30625 Hanover, Germany.
Department of Psychology, Laboratory for Biological and Personality Psychology, University of Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Strasse 8, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany.
Horm Behav. 2014 Mar;65(3):308-18. doi: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2014.01.009. Epub 2014 Feb 3.
Knowledge about the effects of the neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) on human sexual behaviors and partner interactions remains limited. Based on our previous studies, we hypothesize that OXT should be able to positively influence parameters of sexual function and couple interactions. Employing a naturalistic setting involving 29 healthy heterosexual couples (n=58 participants), we analyzed the acute effects of intranasally administered OXT (24IU) on sexual drive, arousal, orgasm and refractory aspects of sexual behavior together with partner interactions. Data were assessed by psychometric instruments (Acute Sexual Experiences Scale, Arizona Sexual Experience Scale) as well as biomarkers, such as cortisol, α-amylase and heart rate. Intranasal OXT administration did not alter "classical" parameters of sexual function, such as sexual drive, arousal or penile erection and lubrication. However, analysis of variance and a hierarchical linear model (HLM) revealed specific effects related to the orgasmic/post-orgasmic interval as well as parameters of partner interactions. According to HLM analysis, OXT increased the intensity of orgasm, contentment after sexual intercourse and the effect of study participation. According to ANOVA analysis, these effects were more pronounced in men. Men additionally indicated higher levels of sexual satiety after sexual intercourse with OXT administration. Women felt more relaxed and subgroups indicated better abilities to share sexual desires or to empathize with their partners. The effect sizes were small to moderate. Biomarkers indicated moderate psychophysiological activation but were not affected by OXT, gender or method of contraception. Using a naturalistic setting, intranasal OXT administration in couples exerted differential effects on parameters of sexual function and partner interactions. These results warrant further investigations, including subjects with sexual and relationship problems.
关于神经肽催产素（OXT）对人类性行为和伴侣互动的影响的知识仍然有限。基于我们之前的研究，我们假设 OXT 应该能够积极影响性功能和伴侣互动的参数。我们采用自然主义的环境，涉及 29 对健康的异性恋夫妇（n=58 名参与者），分析了鼻腔内给予 24IU OXT 对性驱动、唤起、高潮和性行为的不应期以及伴侣互动的急性影响。数据通过心理计量工具（急性性体验量表、亚利桑那性体验量表）以及生物标志物（皮质醇、α-淀粉酶和心率）进行评估。鼻腔内 OXT 给药并未改变性功能的“经典”参数，如性驱动、唤起或阴茎勃起和润滑。然而，方差分析和分层线性模型（HLM）揭示了与性高潮/性高潮后间隔以及伴侣互动参数相关的特定影响。根据 HLM 分析，OXT 增加了性高潮的强度、性交后的满足感和研究参与的效果。根据 ANOVA 分析，这些影响在男性中更为明显。男性还表示，在接受 OXT 给药后，性交后的性满足感更高。女性感到更放松，亚组表示能够更好地分享性欲望或与伴侣共情。效应大小为小到中等。生物标志物表明中等程度的心理生理激活，但不受 OXT、性别或避孕方法的影响。在夫妇中使用自然主义环境，鼻腔内给予 OXT 对性功能和伴侣互动参数产生了不同的影响。这些结果值得进一步研究，包括有性和关系问题的受试者。
