Hormonal Influences on Male Sex Behavior

Testosterone is the major androgen secreted by the testes.

• aromatization of testosterone to estrogen:

  • important for activating male sex behavior in the rat (and in many other species, although not all)
  • involve aromatase and ERs

• reduction of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone:

  • important for penile erections and intromissions in the rat
  • involve 5?-reductase and ARs

• testosterone as testosterone::

  • important for aspects of sexual motivation
  • involve ARs

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