Effects of methamphetamine on sexual performance and compulsive sex behavior in male rats.
BACKGROUND
Methamphetamine (Meth) is a highly addictive psychostimulant associated with enhanced sexual desire, arousal, and sexual pleasure. Moreover, Meth abuse is frequently linked with the practice of sexual risk behavior and increased prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus. Currently, there is a lack of studies investigating the effects of Meth on maladaptive sexual behavior under controlled experimental settings in animal studies.


OBJECTIVE
The overall objective of the current study was to examine the effects of Meth on various aspects of male sexual behavior including maladaptive sex-seeking behavior.


METHODS
First, a dose-response curve of the effects of Meth (0, 1, 2, and 4 mg/kg; s.c.) on sexual motivation and performance was conducted in sexually naïve and experienced male rats. Next, the effects of Meth (1 mg/kg; s.c.) on inhibition of maladaptive sexual behavior was tested using a sex aversion conditioning paradigm, in which visceral illness induced by lithium chloride (LiCl) was paired with sexual behavior.


RESULTS
Meth administration inhibited sexual performance in a dose-dependent matter as evidenced by the decreased percentages of males that mated and increased latencies to initiate sexual behavior when injected with 2 or 4 mg/kg Meth. Moreover, an acute dose of Meth prior to or following sex aversion conditioning resulted in disrupted conditioned inhibition of sexual behavior.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that Meth administration in male rats impairs sexual motivation and performance. In addition, low doses of Meth that do not disrupt sexual function may result in maladaptive seeking of sexual behavior.
Frohmader
Karla S
KS
Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
Bateman
Katherine L
KL
Lehman
Michael N
MN
Coolen
Lique M
LM
D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D018021:Lithium Chloride; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008694:Methamphetamine; D018021:Lithium Chloride