The acute effects of intranasal oxytocin administration on endocrine and sexual function in males.

Burri A, Heinrichs M, Schedlowski M, Kruger TH

Psychoneuroendocrinology28 Mar 2008Cited by 122 (Europe PMC)

PMID18375074DOI10.1016/j.psyneuen.2008.01.014PepBankPUB-18375074

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Summary

The text of this summary is not shown here, because the article license does not allow reuse. Read it at the source (opens in a new tab)

Text rights: Publisher copyright. Results still quote short attributed sentences.

Results from this study9

9 results from studies that gave the peptide. 9 results from people.

01HumanRandomized controlled trialPharmacokinetics
In healthy men, intranasal oxytocin raised plasma oxytocin levels throughout the experiment.
In plain wordsIn healthy men, oxytocin spray raised blood oxytocin levels for more than an hour compared with placebo.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
IncreasePlasma oxytocin level after intranasal oxytocin
Study
n = 10
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Pharmacokinetics · Pharmacology
Studied dose
24 IU · intranasalAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
OT plasma levels were significantly elevated after intranasal OT throughout the whole experiment (>60 min).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Using a previously established experimental paradigm of sexual arousal and masturbation-induced orgasm, this study investigated the acute effects of intranasal OT application (24I.U.) on endocrine parameters and measures of sexual appetence and function in healthy men (n=10).
Summary · context
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, balanced cross-over design, sexual arousal, and orgasm were induced by an erotic film and masturbation.
Report a problemFND-1837507401
02HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In healthy men, oxytocin treatment gave higher increases in epinephrine plasma levels during sexual activity than placebo.
In plain wordsIn healthy men, oxytocin spray raised epinephrine levels more than placebo during sexual activity.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
IncreaseEpinephrine plasma level during sexual activity
Study
n = 10
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Endogenous peptide levels · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
24 IU · intranasalAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
In addition, OT treatment induced significantly higher increases in epinephrine plasma levels during sexual activity without affecting cortisol levels, prolactin levels or heart rate.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Using a previously established experimental paradigm of sexual arousal and masturbation-induced orgasm, this study investigated the acute effects of intranasal OT application (24I.U.) on endocrine parameters and measures of sexual appetence and function in healthy men (n=10).
Summary · context
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, balanced cross-over design, sexual arousal, and orgasm were induced by an erotic film and masturbation.
Report a problemFND-1837507402
03HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In healthy men, oxytocin treatment did not affect cortisol levels.
In plain wordsIn healthy men, oxytocin spray did not change cortisol levels compared with placebo.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
No significant changeCortisol level
Study
n = 10
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Endogenous peptide levels · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
24 IU · intranasalAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
In addition, OT treatment induced significantly higher increases in epinephrine plasma levels during sexual activity without affecting cortisol levels, prolactin levels or heart rate.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Using a previously established experimental paradigm of sexual arousal and masturbation-induced orgasm, this study investigated the acute effects of intranasal OT application (24I.U.) on endocrine parameters and measures of sexual appetence and function in healthy men (n=10).
Summary · context
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, balanced cross-over design, sexual arousal, and orgasm were induced by an erotic film and masturbation.
Report a problemFND-1837507403
04HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In healthy men, oxytocin treatment did not affect prolactin levels.
In plain wordsIn healthy men, oxytocin spray did not change prolactin levels compared with placebo.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
No significant changeProlactin level
Study
n = 10
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Endogenous peptide levels · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
24 IU · intranasalAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
In addition, OT treatment induced significantly higher increases in epinephrine plasma levels during sexual activity without affecting cortisol levels, prolactin levels or heart rate.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Using a previously established experimental paradigm of sexual arousal and masturbation-induced orgasm, this study investigated the acute effects of intranasal OT application (24I.U.) on endocrine parameters and measures of sexual appetence and function in healthy men (n=10).
Summary · context
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, balanced cross-over design, sexual arousal, and orgasm were induced by an erotic film and masturbation.
Report a problemFND-1837507404
05HumanRandomized controlled trialSafety outcome
In healthy men, oxytocin treatment did not affect heart rate.
In plain wordsIn healthy men, oxytocin spray did not change heart rate compared with placebo.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
No significant changeHeart rate
Study
n = 10
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Heart function · Cardiovascular
Studied dose
24 IU · intranasalAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
In addition, OT treatment induced significantly higher increases in epinephrine plasma levels during sexual activity without affecting cortisol levels, prolactin levels or heart rate.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Using a previously established experimental paradigm of sexual arousal and masturbation-induced orgasm, this study investigated the acute effects of intranasal OT application (24I.U.) on endocrine parameters and measures of sexual appetence and function in healthy men (n=10).
Summary · context
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, balanced cross-over design, sexual arousal, and orgasm were induced by an erotic film and masturbation.
Report a problemFND-1837507405
06HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In healthy men, oxytocin did not alter appetitive sexual behaviour on the acute sexual experience scale.
In plain wordsIn healthy men, oxytocin spray did not change the wish for sex compared with placebo.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
No significant changeAppetitive sexual behaviour (ASES)
Study
n = 10
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Sexual function · Reproductive and sexual health
Studied dose
24 IU · intranasalAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
OT treatment did not alter appetitive, consummatory, and refractory sexual behaviour according to the ASES.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Using a previously established experimental paradigm of sexual arousal and masturbation-induced orgasm, this study investigated the acute effects of intranasal OT application (24I.U.) on endocrine parameters and measures of sexual appetence and function in healthy men (n=10).
Summary · context
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, balanced cross-over design, sexual arousal, and orgasm were induced by an erotic film and masturbation.
Report a problemFND-1837507406
07HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In healthy men, oxytocin did not alter consummatory sexual behaviour on the acute sexual experience scale.
In plain wordsIn healthy men, oxytocin spray did not change sexual performance scores compared with placebo.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
No significant changeConsummatory sexual behaviour (ASES)
Study
n = 10
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Sexual function · Reproductive and sexual health
Studied dose
24 IU · intranasalAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
OT treatment did not alter appetitive, consummatory, and refractory sexual behaviour according to the ASES.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Using a previously established experimental paradigm of sexual arousal and masturbation-induced orgasm, this study investigated the acute effects of intranasal OT application (24I.U.) on endocrine parameters and measures of sexual appetence and function in healthy men (n=10).
Summary · context
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, balanced cross-over design, sexual arousal, and orgasm were induced by an erotic film and masturbation.
Report a problemFND-1837507407
08HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In healthy men, oxytocin did not alter refractory sexual behaviour on the acute sexual experience scale.
In plain wordsIn healthy men, oxytocin spray did not change scores after sex compared with placebo.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
No significant changeRefractory sexual behaviour (ASES)
Study
n = 10
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Sexual function · Reproductive and sexual health
Studied dose
24 IU · intranasalAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
OT treatment did not alter appetitive, consummatory, and refractory sexual behaviour according to the ASES.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Using a previously established experimental paradigm of sexual arousal and masturbation-induced orgasm, this study investigated the acute effects of intranasal OT application (24I.U.) on endocrine parameters and measures of sexual appetence and function in healthy men (n=10).
Summary · context
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, balanced cross-over design, sexual arousal, and orgasm were induced by an erotic film and masturbation.
Report a problemFND-1837507408
09HumanRandomized controlled trialOther
In healthy men, eight of 10 subjects in the oxytocin group correctly said they had received oxytocin, which points to an altered perception of arousal.
In plain wordsIn healthy men, eight of 10 who got oxytocin correctly guessed it, which points to a changed feeling of arousal.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
Not applicableCorrect identification of oxytocin versus placebo
Study
n = 10
Outcome group
Sexual function · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
24 IU · intranasalAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
However, when subjects were asked about their subjective perception of whether OT or placebo had been applied, eight out of 10 subjects in the OT group answered correctly, thus pointing to an altered perception of arousal.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Using a previously established experimental paradigm of sexual arousal and masturbation-induced orgasm, this study investigated the acute effects of intranasal OT application (24I.U.) on endocrine parameters and measures of sexual appetence and function in healthy men (n=10).
Summary · context
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, balanced cross-over design, sexual arousal, and orgasm were induced by an erotic film and masturbation.
Report a problemFND-1837507409

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
11 Oct 2026, 01:30 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 02:51 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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