Methamphetamine impairs sexual motivation but not sexual performance in male Japanese quail.
The present study investigated the effects of chronic pre-exposure to methamphetamine on sexual motivation and performance in male Japanese quail. Quail were pre-exposed to methamphetamine (1.0 or 3.0 mg/kg ip) or saline (ip) once daily for 10 days and locomotor activity was measured. After a 10 day washout period, sexual motivation was measured in a straight-arm runway with visual access to a female at one end. Three to 5 hr after sexual motivation tests, males were allowed to copulate with a receptive female quail and copulatory behavior was assessed. Tests were conducted once per day for 10 days. Results showed that males pre-exposed to methamphetamine had decreased locomotor activity compared to saline controls. Males pre-exposed to METH later ran slower toward a female in the runway and spent less time near her. In contrast, methamphetamine pre-exposed males showed similar copulatory behavior as saline pre-exposed males. The findings suggest that chronic pre-exposure to methamphetamine may impair sexual motivation but not sexual performance. The findings are discussed from a comparative perspective and with regard to their clinical relevance.
Bolin
B Levi
BL
Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506-0044, USA.
Akins
Chana K
CK
D000818:Animals; D003370:Coturnix; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000633:toxicity*; D009042:Motivation; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D013045:Species Specificity; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior / Q000187:drug effects
D008694:Methamphetamine