Identifying changes in male brain hormones during sexual intercourse...New treatments for sexual dysfunction such as premature ejaculation
Mar 20, 2025
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Joint researchers, including Tsukuba Medical School in Japan and Tsinghua University in China, recently published the results of their study 'Changes in Brain Hormones during Sex through Rat Experiments' in the international journal 'Neuron'. The researchers analyzed brain activity when mice mate and found that dopamine and acetylcholine had a 'complex' harmony.
The study was conducted only on mice, but the researchers said the brain region and neurotransmitter system involved in sexual function would be similar to humans, or men.
It was also expected that the results of this study could suggest a new treatment for men with premature ejaculation.
Although sexual behavior has been widely studied before, most studies so far have focused only on the onset of sexual intercourse.
In response, the researchers observed hormonal changes in stages such as sexual excitation, insertion, and ejaculation (射精), including erection.
To this end, the researchers injected a fluorescence sensor into the mouse's left nucleus (Nucleus Accumbens) used in the experiment.
The lateral left nucleus is a small region in the brain that plays an important role related to reward, motivation, and pleasure.
Dopamine and acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that regulates it, were released from the brains of mating males.
Since then, a complex graph has been observed between the two substances at all stages, including excitation, insertion, and ejaculation.
Before erection, the brains of male mice began releasing acetylcholine regularly, and after about 6 s, dopamine began to emerge.
After genital insertion, the release of acetylcholine and dopamine showed rapid fluctuations in line with the movements of mice. Just before the assessment, the secretion of dopamine in male mice slowed significantly, but rose rapidly as soon as the assessment was made.
Researchers have discovered how different chemicals interact in the brain at different stages of sexual behavior"Rats and humans exhibit different sexual behaviors, but their brain regions and neurotransmitters may be similar" he explained.
In addition, the researchers suggested that the experimental study could provide new clues to treating sexual dysfunction, especially premature ejaculation.
The researchers found that acetylcholine plays an important role in the timing of ejaculation of mammals. If this is controlled, it can be used to treat sexual dysfunction such as premature ejaculation."
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
