Effects of methamphetamine on copulatory behavior in male rats

Many papers have reported the effect of amphetamine and its close relative, methamphetamine on sexual activity in humans. The effect of these drugs on animal sexual behavior is unknown. The present study was done to determine whether methamphetamine modifies the copulatory behavior of male rats. Sexually experienced rats of the Wistar-Imamichi strain, 10 weeks of age, were singly injected intraperitoneally with methamphetamine hydrochloride at doses of 0, 1, 2 or 4 mg/kg body weight. Tests were initiated at 19: 30 in the dark period. Observations were conducted for 90 min. At dosages of 1 or 2 mg/kg there were no changes in copulatory behavior ascribed to the administration of methamphetamine. At 4 mg/kg the frequencies of mounting, intromission and ejaculation were greatly decreased but the spontaneous motor activity and stereotypic behavior increased in all males. In a further experiment, males were given methamphetamine by intraperitoneal injection once a week for 8 weeks. The copulatory behavior was tested 5 times at two weeks intervals. In the 4th testing, the percentage showing ejaculation decreased. In the 5th testing, there was no ejaculation and the incidence of intromission decreased. No stereotypic behavior was displayed in any of the males during the testing. From these results, it was concluded that methamphetamine inhibits the intromitting and ejaculating behavior in male rats.