Changes in sexual behavior of adult male and female rats neonatally treated with vitamin D3

Abstract

1 Neonatal treatment of rats with vitamin D3 resulted in a change of sexual behavior in adulthood. 2 2.5 mg vitamin D 3 completely inhibited the ejaculation of males without any apparent influence on sexual desire. 250 mg vitamin D3 influenced both the desire and ejaculation. 3 Sexual activity of females was depressed by both doses. 4 The experiments demonstrate that vitamin D3, a steroid in structure, given in the critical period of hormonal imprinting may influence steroid hormone-receptor commanded events for life, in a way similar to the effects exhibited by synthetic steroid hormone analo gues and benzpyrene in earlier studies.