Impairment of male copulatory behavior in rhesus monkeys following acute administration of cocaine.
Although numerous studies in nonhuman primates have demonstrated an influence of cocaine on behavior, no studies have yet examined whether cocaine affects sexual behavior in nonhuman primates. The objective of the present study was to examine the acute effects of cocaine on male copulatory behavior of rhesus monkeys. Administration of cocaine produced dose-dependent effects on male copulatory behavior, with monkeys taking significantly longer to initiate copulation (mount latency) and achieve an ejaculation (ejaculation latency) after receiving 200-800 micrograms/kg cocaine. Male copulatory behavior was not affected by cocaine at doses below 200 micrograms/kg. These results indicate that cocaine can acutely impair sexual behavior performance of male rhesus monkeys. Further study is needed to determine the possible long-term consequences of chronic cocaine administration on male sexual behavior.
Pomerantz
S M
SM
Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA 15261.
Hepner
B C
BC
Wertz
J M
JM
D000818:Animals; D003042:Cocaine / Q000633:toxicity*; D003307:Copulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004542:Ejaculation / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008297:Male; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*
D003042:Cocaine