SOME EFFECTS OF VASOPRESSIN ON SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR AND SEMINAL CHARACTERISTICS IN INTACT AND CASTRATED RABBITS

Abstract

SUMMARY The effect of intravenous injections of vasopressin upon sexual behaviour was studied in both intact and castrated, testosterone-treated rabbits. A high dose of vasopressin reduced the number of ejaculations and lengthened the latency to the first mount and ejaculation. A low dose of vasopressin had no significant effect on the sexual behaviour in either intact or castrated rabbits. The volume of ejaculates and the number of sperm cells were also determined. It was found that vasopressin (200 or 40 mu./animal) significantly increased both volume and sperm content in the ejaculates. The possibility that vasopressin is of physiological importance in male sexual functions is discussed.