Sex and Reproduction

1
Sex and Reproduction

• Chapter 7

2
Males

• Circulating Testosterone

3
Parasympathetic nerves system

• LHRH (Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone)
• LH (Luteinizing Hormone)
• FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone)
• Testosterone

4
How

• The Brain tells the hypothalamus releases LHRH
  which stimulates the Pituitary to release LH and
  FSH, the LH stimulates the Testes to release
  Testosterone.

5
FSH

• Men lack Follicles to stimulate so the FSH
  instead stimulates production of sperm

6
Sperm and Testosterone

• T and Sperm functions have to shut down almost
  entirely to affect sexual performance.

7
The Male Brain
8
Sex on the Brain

• Stress and the effects on the brain and body

9
Stressors

• Physical
• Psychological

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Physical

• Surgery
• Injury
• Illness
• Starvation
• All of these drive down testosterone

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Psychological

• Poor living conditions
• Constant work loads
• Mental fatigue through constant problem
  solving/studying
• Unstable social group (Found in primates)

12
Why does Testosterone levels drop with the onset
of stressors?

• Stressors Inhibit the reproductive system causing
  a chain reaction that inevitably leads to the
  decline in circulating Testosterone.

13
PNS

• Endorphins and Enkephalins block the release of
  LHRH from the Hypothalamus (Runners High)
• Endorphins also inhibit Testosterone release
• Prolactin, a Pituitary hormone released during
  stressors decrease the sensitivity of the
  Pituitary to LHRH.

14
SNS and Erections

• Automatic System
• Sapolsky Getting an erection to work properly
  is so incredibly complicated physiologically that
  if Men ever actually had to understand it, none
  of us would be here.
• Four Fs

15
Erections

• In order to achieve an erection the SNS and the
  PNS must be activated
• This can only be achieved if the subject is calm
  and relaxed.

16
Intercourse

• During intercourse the body using both the PNS
  and the SNS.
• Increased blood pressure, Increased heart rate,
  fast breathing and Excitation.
• Body parts start to take a Sympathetic tone.
• Slight PNS influence
• Overwhelming stimulus from SNS

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• PNS shut off at the penis
• SNS overtakes
• Ejaculation occurs from onset of SNS
• This process is an extremely well choreographed
  between the PNS and the SNS and any mishaps on
  the ether the SNS or the PNS would end in
  disaster.

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Tips on Extending Intercourse

• Be Parasympathetic to your Penis and delay
  ejaculation.
• Examples.
• Slowing down the heart rate and calming yourself
  with soothing thoughts, Its not a race.
• Taking deep breaths, Expanding chest muscles
  trigger a PNS volley that defers the shift from
  PNS to SNS (ejaculation)

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Problems

• Premature Ejaculation
• Impotency or ED (Erectile Dysfunction)

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Premature Ejaculation

• Premature Ejaculation is brought on by a sudden
  change from PNS to SNS.
• This occurs when a sudden stressor appears, or
  with the onset of an anxiety attack.
• Example.
• While engaged in intercourse you start thinking
  about stressful things?

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• How long will I last?
• Is she enjoying this?
• Do I have a Test in the Morning?
• I hope he parents dont come home early!!

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Erectile Dysfunction

• Stress and anxiety causes ED
• Impotency itself causes anxiety, or more stress,
  making it difficult to become erect.
• Performance anxiety cycles. (Fearing fear itself)
  Can I Obtain an Erection?

23
Psychogenic or Organic

• ½ of all men complaining of reproductive
  dysfunctions is brought on by Psychogenic
  (STRESS).
• There are cases where Stress causes blockage or
  even damage to blood vessels.
• Several vascular diseases can impede blood flow.

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The diagnosis

• During sleep the body goes into a sleep cycle,
  part of this sleep cycle is known a R.E.M or
  Rapid Eye Movement. During this time the males
  penis becomes erect.
• If an erection occurs during R.E.M. sleep then
  the problem is Psychogenic.
• If there is no erection during R.E.M sleep them
  the problem is Organic.

25
A simple test

• Observation is one way to test, unfortunately you
  cant perform this test yourself.
• Penile Cuff with an electric pressure transducer.
• Stamp test (nocturnal penile turnescence)

26
De-stress for sex

• Meditation Clearing the mind of all stressors
  and problems
• Exercise excellent stress reducer, promotes
  small amount of endorphins, may heighten sexual
  arousal

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• Relaxation a glass of Red Wine and chocolate
  while soaking in a hot tub. . A funny movie
  (Laughter is a powerful stress reducer.
• If sex drive remains low for prolong period of
  time consult a doctor.

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Summery

• Circulating Testosterone
• PNS
• The Brain
• Stressors Physical and psychological
• Intercourse
• Problems
• Mind over matter
• Diagnosis
• Testers
• De-stressing

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References

• Robert M. Sapolsky, Why zebras dont get ulcers
  2004 3rd ed. Henry Holt company .New York.
• Randy J. Nelson, An Introduction to Behavioral
  Endocrinology2005 3rd ed. Sinauer Association,
  Inc.
• AJ Trilbrook, AI Turner, IJ Clarke
  Http//ror.reproduction_online.org. Reviews of
  Reproduction(2000) 5 105-113
• Moss, R.L., McCann, S.M., and Dudley, C. A. 1975.
  Releasing Hormones and Sexual behavior. Prog.
  Brain Res., 4237-46