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Sustainable Consumption: Will They Buy It Again? Factors Influencing the Intention to Repurchase Organic Food Grain. Foods 2022; 11:foods11193046. [PMID: 36230123 PMCID: PMC9562710 DOI: 10.3390/foods11193046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Global consumption trends point to rising demand for organic food as people become more health-conscious. The factors that people consider while making initial organic purchases have been discussed at length. However, the published research is scant about the factors that affect consumers’ propensity to repurchase organic goods. The present research fills this gap by focusing on what influences consumers’ decisions to repurchase organic grain. The Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) theory and the Theory of Planned Behaviour are the theoretical foundations of the present investigation. The consumer’s attitude toward organic grains and their desire to repurchase organic grains are influenced by health consciousness and previous experience. The repurchase intent was determined to be controlled by the buyer’s willingness to pay and their level of trust in the organic grain. This cross-sectional study collected the necessary data from five chosen urban centres in India. Smart PLS 3.2.9 was used to analyse the gathered data from 463 respondents. According to the findings, health consciousness and past experience favourably influence attitudes and repurchase intent. The trust that consumers have built up in organic grain as a result of past experiences is what drives their desire to make more purchases. Willingness to pay significantly controls and impacts the inclination to repurchase. The association between health consciousness and repurchase intention is partially mediated by attitude, as is the relationship between past experience and repurchase intention. The relationship between health consciousness and the desire to repurchase is partially mediated by the willingness to pay.
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2
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Yabiku ST, Newmyer L. The intergenerational transmission of sexual frequency. BIODEMOGRAPHY AND SOCIAL BIOLOGY 2022; 67:175-186. [PMID: 35892204 PMCID: PMC9797435 DOI: 10.1080/19485565.2022.2104691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Intergenerational relationships are one of the most frequently studied topics in the social sciences. Within the area of family, researchers find intergenerational similarity in family behaviors such as marriage, divorce, and fertility. Yet less research has examined the intergenerational aspects of a key proximate determinant of fertility: sexual frequency. We use the National Survey of Families and Households to examine the relationship between sexual frequency of parents and the sexual frequency of children when adults. We link parental sexual frequency in 1987/1988, when children were ages 5-18, to the sexual frequency of the children in 2001-2003 when these grown children were ages 18-34. We find a modest, yet significant association, between parental and adult children sexual frequency. A mechanism behind this association appears to be the higher likelihood of being in a union among children of parents with high sexual frequency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott T. Yabiku
- Department of Sociology & Criminology, The Pennsylvania State University
| | - Lauren Newmyer
- Department of Sociology & Criminology, The Pennsylvania State University
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Clephane K, Sartin-Tarm A, Lorenz TK. Four Additional Questions for the Preparation Hypothesis. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2022; 51:737-742. [PMID: 32681459 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-020-01798-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kirstin Clephane
- Center for Brain, Biology and Behavior, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Stadium East C66, Lincoln, NE, 68588-0156, USA
| | - Anneliis Sartin-Tarm
- Center for Brain, Biology and Behavior, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Stadium East C66, Lincoln, NE, 68588-0156, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Tierney K Lorenz
- Center for Brain, Biology and Behavior, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Stadium East C66, Lincoln, NE, 68588-0156, USA.
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA.
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Patil SM, Shirahatti PS, V B CK, Ramu R, M N NP. Azadirachta indica A. Juss (neem) as a contraceptive: An evidence-based review on its pharmacological efficiency. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 88:153596. [PMID: 34092456 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Azadirachta indica A. Juss. is an Indian medicinal plant with innumerable pharmacological properties. Studies have proven that the phytochemicals from neem possess remarkable contraceptive abilities with limited knowledge on its mechanism of action. PURPOSE The present review aims to summarize the efficiency of A. indica treatment as a contraceptive. METHODS The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used. Published scientific articles on antifertility, antispermatogenic, antiovulation, hormone altering, contraceptive, and abortifacient activities of A. indica were collected from reputed Journals from 1980 to 2020 using electronic databases. Specific keywords search was completed to collect numerous articles with unique experiment design and significant results. This was followed by the selection of the requisite articles based on the criteria designed by the authors. Data extraction was based on the common research elements included in the articles. RESULTS A total of 27 studies were considered for reviewing, which included key pharmacological investigations. In the beginning, authors evaluated a number of publications on the contraceptive properties of A. indica, in which it was revealed that most of the publications were made between 2005 and 2009. All the collected articles were categorised and reviewed as antifertility, antispermatogenic, antiovulation, hormone altering, contraceptive, and abortifacient. Authors also assessed studies based on the plant parts used for pharmacological evaluations including leaves, seeds, stem-bark, and flowers. The article was primarily divided into different sections based on the previous works of authors on phytochemistry and pharmacological review articles. CONCLUSION Although A. indica is not reported with the complete alleviation of reproductive system in both male and female animal models, studies have proven its efficacy as a contraceptive. Extracts and phytochemicals from neem neither reduced the libido nor retarded the growth of secondary sexual characters, thus indicating only a temporary and reversible contraceptive activity. However, there is a dearth for clinical studies to prove the efficacy of A. indica as a herbal contraceptive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shashank M Patil
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru, 570015, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Chandana Kumari V B
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru, 570015, Karnataka, India
| | - Ramith Ramu
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru, 570015, Karnataka, India.
| | - Nagendra Prasad M N
- Department of Biotechnology, Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering, JSS Science and Technology University, JSS Technical Institutional Campus, Mysore, 570006, Karnataka, India
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Mokhtari N, Salavati A, Azmoude E. The relationship between gender role and attitude toward menstruation with female sexual function: A cross-sectional study. Int J Reprod Biomed 2020; 18:847-854. [PMID: 33134797 PMCID: PMC7569717 DOI: 10.18502/ijrm.v13i10.7769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Revised: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although female sexual function can be affected by many psychological, interpersonal, and sociocultural factors, limited studies have focused on the relationships between this construct with some concepts such as women's attitudes toward menstruation and perception from their gender role. Objective To investigate the association between gender roles and attitude toward menstruation with sexual function among Iranian reproductive women. Materials and Methods An observational cross-sectional study was carried out on a group of 164 Iranian women referred to the health centers of Torbat Heydariyeh, between August and December 2018. All eligible women filled the female sexual function index (FSFI), Bem Sex Role Inventory, and Menstrual Attitude Questionnaire. Results The result showed that the total FSFI score was significantly higher in masculine and androgynous gender role groups than women with undifferentiated gender role (p = 0.014, and p = 0.012, respectively). Nevertheless, androgynous women had better sexual arousal than undifferentiated women (p = 0.013). Significant reverse correlations were observed between the perception of menstruation as a debilitating, bothersome, and predictable event with a total score of FSFI and all subscales except lubrication (p = 0.001). In contrast, there was a positive relationship between denial of any effects of menstruation with total FSFI and all its sub-scores except lubrication (p = 0.001). Conclusion This study highlighted the role of masculinity and androgyny gender role stereotypes and menstrual attitude in the sexual function of heterosexual women. Future studies are needed to explain how these psychological contexts contribute to different aspects of women's sexuality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najme Mokhtari
- Student Research Committee, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran
| | - Azadeh Salavati
- Student Research Committee, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran
| | - Elham Azmoude
- Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran
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Roslan NS, Jaafar NRN, Sidi H, Baharudin N, Kumar J, Das S, Hussain NHN. The Bio-Psycho-Social Dimension in Women's Sexual Desire: 'Argumentum ad novitatem'. Curr Drug Targets 2020. [PMID: 28641524 DOI: 10.2174/1389450118666170622090337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Sexual desire includes complex motivation and drive. In the context of biological and cognitive- emotive state art of science, it is often a neglected field in medicine. In regard to the treatment, study on women's sexual function received less attention compared to the men's sexuality. In the past, this endeavor was relatively not well disseminated in the scientific community. Recently, there was a revolutionized surge of drug targets available to treat women with low sexual desire. It is timely to review the relevant biological approach, especially in the context of pharmacotherapy to understand this interesting clinical entity which was modulated by numerous interactive psychosocial inter-play and factors. The complex inter-play between numerous dimensional factors lends insights to understand the neural mechanism, i.e. the rewards centre pathway and its interaction with external psychosocialstimulus, e.g. relationship or other meaningful life events. The function of hormones, e.g. oxytocin or testosterone regulation was described. The role of neurotransmitters as reflected by the introduction of a molecule of flibenserin, a full agonist of the 5-HT1A and partial agonist of the D4 to treat premenopausal women with low sexual desire was deliberated. Based on this fundamental scientific core knowledge, we suggest an outline on know-how of introduction for sex therapy (i.e. "inner-self" and "outer-self") where the role of partner is narrated. Then, we also highlighted on the use of pharmacological agent as an adjunct scope of therapy, i.e. phosphodiasterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors and hormonal treatment in helping the patient with low sexual desire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nur Syazwani Roslan
- Department of Psychiatry, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nik Ruzyanei Nik Jaafar
- Department of Psychiatry, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Hatta Sidi
- Department of Psychiatry, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Najwa Baharudin
- Department of Psychiatry, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Jaya Kumar
- Department of Physiology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Srijit Das
- Department of Anatomy, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nik Hazlina Nik Hussain
- Women's Health Development Unit, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
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Peres CDS, Gava RP, Yoshida NM, Correa JCM, Scudeller LB, Seixas GF, Silva CC, Garbelini CCD, Ramos SDP. Could regular practice of volleyball modulate salivary secretory immunity in children? Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. APUNTS SPORTS MEDICINE 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apunsm.2020.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Lorenz TK, Heiman JR, Demas GE. Interactions Among Sexual Activity, Menstrual Cycle Phase, and Immune Function in Healthy Women. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2018; 55:1087-1095. [PMID: 29161177 PMCID: PMC5962389 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2017.1394961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Past research has found menstrual-cycle-related changes in functional immune response; we examined if sexual activity also changed markers of immune defense. We followed 32 naturally cycling women (15 sexually active with a partner ≥ 1 time/week, 17 sexually abstinent for the last four months) over one menstrual cycle. Participants provided serum and saliva samples at menses and ovulation, and additional saliva samples at midfollicular and midluteal phases. At each phase, participants also self-reported symptoms associated with colds, flu, pain, menstrual discomfort, and premenstrual syndrome. We tested saliva and serum for ability to kill Escherichia coli or Candida albicans, and serum for complement protein activity. For serum-mediated pathogen killing, among sexually active women only, there was a significant midcycle decrease in killing of E. coli. For saliva-mediated pathogen killing, among abstinent women only, there was a significant midcycle decrease in killing of E. coli, and midcycle increase in killing of C. albicans. Sexually active women had significantly lower complement activity than abstinent women overall. Finally, both groups reported lower physical symptoms at midcycle and higher symptoms at menses. There may be important differences in immune function between healthy women who are sexually active versus abstinent. Further replication is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tierney K Lorenz
- a Department of Psychological Science , University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- b The Kinsey Institute , Indiana University
- c Center for Integrative Study for Animal Behavior , Indiana University
| | - Julia R Heiman
- b The Kinsey Institute , Indiana University
- d Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences , Indiana University
| | - Gregory E Demas
- c Center for Integrative Study for Animal Behavior , Indiana University
- e Department of Biology , Indiana University
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Fleischman DS, Fessler DM. Response to “Hormonal Correlates of Pathogen Disgust: Testing the Compensatory Prophylaxis Hypothesis”. EVOL HUM BEHAV 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2018.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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10
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Sylvia KE, Lorenz TK, Heiman JR, Demas GE. Physiological predictors of leptin vary during menses and ovulation in healthy women. Reprod Biol 2018; 18:132-136. [PMID: 29454804 PMCID: PMC6310005 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2018.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2017] [Revised: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Although research has shown interactions between the reproductive system and energy homeostasis, it is not clear how environmental or behavioral factors may factor into these associations. Here we aimed to determine how changes in reproductive state (i.e., phase of the menstrual cycle) and other behavioral and physiological factors may influence leptin levels in healthy women, as well as how sexual activity may play a role in leptin modulation. We collected serum and saliva from 32 healthy women and measured leptin, estradiol, and progesterone. Participants also completed surveys of demographics, health and sexual behaviors, and physical activity. Leptin was predicted by meals per day and missed meals at both menses and ovulation. However, estradiol and physical activity were stronger predictors of leptin at menses, while sexual activity was a stronger predictor of leptin at ovulation. These findings suggest that predictors of serum leptin, and possibly energy storage and expenditure, vary across the menstrual cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristyn E Sylvia
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA; Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA.
| | - Tierney K Lorenz
- Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA; Kinsey Institute for Research on Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Julia R Heiman
- Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA; Kinsey Institute for Research on Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA; Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Gregory E Demas
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA; Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA; Kinsey Institute for Research on Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
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Wilson MC, Lorenz TK, Heiman JR. Salivary Afternoon Cortisol and Relationship Status in Healthy Women with Regular Menstrual Cycles. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 5:170-182. [PMID: 31355299 DOI: 10.1080/23293691.2018.1490079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Although ovarian hormones and social relationships are known to interact with HPA axis regulation, evidence for systematic covariation with basal salivary cortisol levels remains mixed. As part of a larger study, in this analysis we pursued two questions. First, do baseline cortisol concentrations consistently vary across the menstrual cycle? Second, do cortisol levels differ by relationship status? We collected afternoon saliva samples at four points across the menstrual cycle from 14 single and 18 monogamously partnered women, ages 18 to 48, who were not taking hormonal medications. Samples taken in the lab yielded significantly higher cortisol concentrations than samples provided at home; the two were thus considered separately. No significant differences were observed across lab-session (menses vs. ovulation) or at-home (follicular vs. luteal) levels. This finding converges with studies of awakening salivary, urinary, and plasma cortisol, which suggest that, in healthy women, menstrual schedules do not affect systematic shifts in basal cortisol. Contrary to expectations, single and partnered women did not differ in overall cortisol levels. Future research would benefit from examining potential links between cortisol, relationship status, and sexual activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Claire Wilson
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington
| | - Tierney K Lorenz
- Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte.,Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington.,Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington
| | - Julia R Heiman
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington.,Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington.,Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington
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Lorenz TK, Heiman JR, Demas GE. Testosterone and immune-reproductive tradeoffs in healthy women. Horm Behav 2017; 88:122-130. [PMID: 27865788 PMCID: PMC5303633 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2016.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Revised: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Although testosterone (T) has been characterized as universally immunosuppressive across species and sexes, recent ecoimmunology research suggests that T's immunomodulatory effects (enhancing/suppressing) depend on the organism's reproductive context. Very little is known about the immune effects of T in healthy females, and even less about how reproductive effort modulates the immune effects of T in humans. We investigated how the interaction between endogenous T and sexual activity predicted menstrual cycle-related changes in several measures of immunity: inflammation (indexed by interleukin-6, IL-6), adaptive immunity (indexed by immunoglobulin A, IgA), and functional immunity (indexed by bactericidal assay). Thirty-two healthy women (sexually abstinent, N=17; sexually active with one male partner, N=15) provided saliva samples at four points in the menstrual cycle: menses, follicular, ovulation, and luteal phases. Among sexually abstinent women, T was positively associated with IL-6 across the cycle; for sexually active women, however, T was positively associated with IL-6 in the luteal phase only, and negatively associated with IL-6 at ovulation. High T predicted higher IgA among women who reported infrequent intercourse, but lower IgA among women who reported very frequent intercourse. Finally, across groups, T was positively associated with greater bacterial killing at menses, but negatively associated in the luteal phase. Overall, rather than being universally immunosuppressive, T appeared to signal immunomodulation relevant to reproduction (e.g., lowering inflammation at ovulation, potentially preventing immune interference with conception). Our findings support the hypothesis that the immunomodulatory effects of endogenous T in healthy females depend on sexual and reproductive context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tierney K Lorenz
- Center for Integrative Study for Animal Behavior, Indiana University, 409 N. Park Ave, Bloomington, IN 47405, United States; The Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, 1165 E 3rd St., Bloomington, IN 47405, United States; Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223, United States.
| | - Julia R Heiman
- Center for Integrative Study for Animal Behavior, Indiana University, 409 N. Park Ave, Bloomington, IN 47405, United States; The Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, 1165 E 3rd St., Bloomington, IN 47405, United States; Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, 1101 E. 10th St., Bloomington, IN 47405, United States.
| | - Gregory E Demas
- Center for Integrative Study for Animal Behavior, Indiana University, 409 N. Park Ave, Bloomington, IN 47405, United States; Department of Biology, Indiana University, 1001 E 3rd St., Bloomington, IN 47405, United States.
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Lorenz TK, Demas GE, Heiman JR. Partnered sexual activity moderates menstrual cycle-related changes in inflammation markers in healthy women: an exploratory observational study. Fertil Steril 2016; 107:763-773.e3. [PMID: 27919440 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Revised: 11/09/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine differences in inflammation markers in sexually active versus abstinent women and observe changes in inflammation markers across the menstrual cycle. Cycle-related immune fluctuations may have evolved to reduce interference with conception. If so, reproductively active (i.e., sexually active) women should show the most variability in cytokine expression. DESIGN Participants provided serum samples at menses and ovulation (from which cytokines were assayed) and saliva samples at menses and during follicular, ovulation, and luteal phases (from which C-reactive protein [CRP] was assayed). Participants self-reported intercourse frequency during the study. SETTING Academic research laboratory. PATIENT(S) Thirty-two healthy, naturally cycling premenopausal women (sexually active, n = 15; abstinent, n = 17). INTERVENTION(S) Observational study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Levels of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6 [IL-6], interferon γ [IFN-γ], tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α]), an anti-inflammatory cytokine (interleukin-4 [IL-4]), and a marker of total inflammation (CRP). RESULT(S) Sexually active women had higher levels of all of the immune markers measured, including both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, than abstinent women. Relative to sexually active women, abstinent women had less change across the menstrual cycle in levels of CRP. Among sexually active women, higher intercourse frequency predicted greater midcycle decreases in CRP, IL-6, and IFN-γ and midcycle increases in IL-4. CONCLUSION(S) Sexual activity may stimulate a complex interaction between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines that subsequently drives midcycle declines in inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tierney K Lorenz
- Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana; Center for Integrative Study for Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana; Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina.
| | - Gregory E Demas
- Center for Integrative Study for Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana; Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
| | - Julia R Heiman
- Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana; Center for Integrative Study for Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana; Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
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Hicks LL, McNulty JK, Meltzer AL, Olson MA. Capturing the Interpersonal Implications of Evolved Preferences? Frequency of Sex Shapes Automatic, but Not Explicit, Partner Evaluations. Psychol Sci 2016; 27:836-47. [PMID: 27084851 DOI: 10.1177/0956797616638650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2015] [Accepted: 02/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A strong predisposition to engage in sexual intercourse likely evolved in humans because sex is crucial to reproduction. Given that meeting interpersonal preferences tends to promote positive relationship evaluations, sex within a relationship should be positively associated with relationship satisfaction. Nevertheless, prior research has been inconclusive in demonstrating such a link, with longitudinal and experimental studies showing no association between sexual frequency and relationship satisfaction. Crucially, though, all prior research has utilized explicit reports of satisfaction, which reflect deliberative processes that may override the more automatic implications of phylogenetically older evolved preferences. Accordingly, capturing the implications of sexual frequency for relationship evaluations may require implicit measurements that bypass deliberative reasoning. Consistent with this idea, one cross-sectional and one 3-year study of newlywed couples revealed a positive association between sexual frequency and automatic partner evaluations but not explicit satisfaction. These findings highlight the importance of automatic measurements to understanding interpersonal relationships.
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Lorenz TK, Worthman CM, Vitzthum VJ. Links among inflammation, sexual activity and ovulation: Evolutionary trade-offs and clinical implications. EVOLUTION MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2015; 2015:304-24. [PMID: 26675298 PMCID: PMC4681377 DOI: 10.1093/emph/eov029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Inflammation in healthy sexually active women decreased at midcycle, around ovulation, which may have evolved to promote conception. Background and objectives: We examined a mechanism that may coordinate trade-offs between reproduction and immune response in healthy women, namely, changes in inflammation across the ovarian cycle. Methodology: We investigated C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammation marker, across two consecutive ovarian cycles in 61 Bolivian women. Participants provided saliva samples every other day, and dried blood spots on 5–6 days spread across weeks 2–3 of each cycle. Cycles were characterized as ovulatory/anovulatory based on profiles of reproductive hormones. Participants also reported whether they were sexually partnered with a male or sexually abstinent during the study. Results: High early-cycle, but not late-cycle, CRP was associated with anovulation. High inflammation at the end of one cycle was not associated with anovulation in the subsequent cycle. Among ovulatory cycles, women with sexual partners had significantly lower CRP at midcycle, and higher CRP at follicular and luteal phases; in contrast, sexually abstinent women had little cycle-related change in CRP. In anovulatory cycles, partnership had no effect on CRP. CRP varied significantly with socioeconomic status (higher in better-off than in poorer women). Conclusions and implications: These findings suggest that the cycle-specific effect of inflammation on ovarian function may be a flexible, adaptive mechanism for managing trade-offs between reproduction and immunity. Sociosexual behavior may moderate changes in inflammation across the ovarian cycle, suggesting that these shifts represent evolved mechanisms to manage the trade-offs between reproduction and immunity. Clinically, these findings support considering both menstrual cycle phase and sexual activity in evaluations of pre-menopausal women’s CRP concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tierney K Lorenz
- The Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Morrison Hall 313, 1165 E 3rd Street, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA; The Center for Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA;
| | - Carol M Worthman
- Laboratory for Comparative Human Biology, Department of Anthropology, Emory University, 214 Anthropology, 1557 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Virginia J Vitzthum
- The Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Morrison Hall 313, 1165 E 3rd Street, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA; The Center for Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA; Evolutionary Anthropology Laboratory, Department of Anthropology, Indiana University, Student Building 130, 701 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
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