Plasma Noradrenaline and Dopamine-Beta-Hydroxylase During Sexual Activity
- 1 March 1977
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wolters Kluwer Health in Psychosomatic Medicine
- Vol. 39 (2) , 143-148
- https://doi.org/10.1097/00006842-197703000-00009
Abstract
Plasma noradrenaline (NA) concentrations and the activity of its synthetic enzyme, dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH), were determined during sexual activity in one male subject on three occasions. Blood was obtained through an intravenous catheter by means of a peristaltic pump and an automatic fraction collector. NA was significantly (P < 0.001) related to stages of sexual arousal and erection quality. Maximal arousal and erection was accompanied by plasma NA concentration 100% to 1200% higher than basal levels. NA levels also increased significantly with upright posture and with emotional stress. DBH activity did not correlate closely with sexual arousal and erection.This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: