Signs of sexual behaviour are not increased after subchronic treatment with LHRH in young men.
Apart from its action as gonadotropin releasing factor, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) is a potent regulator of sexual behaviour in animals. The present study aimed to assess a similar role of LHRH for sexuality in humans. In a double-blind placebo-controlled and randomized study, effects of human LHRH after acute (400 microg) and subchronic (800 microg/day over 2 weeks) intranasal administration were evaluated in 20 young and healthy men. Sexual desire and activity was assessed by a diary, ratings of women's attractiveness, a modified version of the Stroop colour naming task and a short term memory task. Effects on sexuality were contrasted with those on eating motivation and general neurocognitive functioning, the latter being assessed in addition by tasks of divergent thinking and a motor perseveration test. None of the measures of sexual desire and activity indicated any effect of LHRH, neither after acute nor after subchronic treatment. Unexpectedly, the diary indicated a significant increase in 'food intake' towards the end of the 14-day LHRH treatment. Enhanced colour naming performance on the Stroop task (independently of whether sex, food or neutral stimuli were used) in conjunction with an increased motor perseveration after LHRH points to a general effect on cognitive function towards stronger focussing of cortical processing. While overall the data show discrete central nervous changes after LHRH, a particular influence on sexuality after acute or subchronic intranasal administration in healthy men was not detected.
Perras
B
B
Clinical Neuroendocrinology, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, D-23538, Lübeck, Germany. perras@kfg.mu-luebeck.de
Smolnik
R
R
Fehm
H L
HL
Born
J
J
D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D010919:Placebos; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D010919:Placebos; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone