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Life history theory and the adaptive calibration model state that characteristics of one's early environment influence individual differences in both neuroendocrine reactivity to stress and sexual risk-taking behavior. However, few studies have directly examined the relationship between neuroendocrine reactivity to stress and risky sexual behavior. This study used multilevel modeling to test whether cortisol reactivity and recovery in response to laboratory stress were associated with women's history of sexual behavior and their sexual arousability in response to laboratory sexual stimuli. Participants were 65 women (35% heterosexual, 44% bisexual, and 21% lesbian) who completed two laboratory sessions, two weeks apart. Women's self-reported sexual arousability to sexual stimuli interacted with their sexual abuse history to predict their trajectories of cortisol stress reactivity and recovery. Cortisol reactivity and recovery were not associated with women's sexual risk taking, such as the age of sexual debut, sociosexuality, or lifetime number of sexual partners.

Previous research suggests a dynamic regulatory relationship between oxytocin and cortisol, but the specific nature of this relationship and its context-specificity have not been fully specified. In the present study, we repeatedly assessed both salivary oxytocin and salivary cortisol during two experimental sessions (one inducing sexual arousal and one inducing psychological stress), conducted two weeks apart with the same group of 63 female participants. Baseline cortisol and baseline oxytocin were significantly correlated in both sessions. Cortisol levels showed significantly different patterns of change during the stress assessment than during the sexual arousal assessment, but oxytocin showed similar patterns of change across both assessments. Greater cortisol stress reactivity predicted higher oxytocin levels immediately after the stressor, but a different pattern emerged during the arousal assessment: Greater oxytocin arousal reactivity predicted attenuated post-arousal reductions in cortisol. For both cortisol and oxytocin, individual differences in women's reactivity to sexual arousal did not predict their reactivity to psychological stress. These findings contribute new insights regarding associations between cortisol and oxytocin reactivity and recovery in different psychological contexts., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Mind-Body Bridging (MBB) has been shown to be effective for improving disturbed sleep. In this prospective randomized controlled trial, we evaluated the efficacy of sleep-focused MBB compared with sleep education control (SED) for improving sleep in previously deployed Gulf War veterans., Methods: US military service members with sleep and physical health complaints who were deployed in 1990-1991 were randomized to receive three weekly sessions of either MBB (n = 33) or SED (n = 27) between 2012 and 2015. The primary outcome of Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Scale was completed at baseline, weekly during treatment, postintervention, and 3-month follow-up. Secondary outcome measures for posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, fatigue, quality of life, symptom severity, and mindfulness were completed at baseline, postintervention and 3-month follow-up. Salivary samples were collected at five time points per day at each visit for cortisol and α-amylase assessment. Clinician-administered assessments of sleep and co-occurring conditions were conducted at baseline and postintervention., Results: MBB was significantly more efficacious than SED in reducing disturbed sleep at follow-up (F(1,180.54) = 4.04, p = .046). In addition, self-reported posttraumatic stress disorder (F(1,56.42) = 4.50, p = .038) for the treatment effect, depression (F(1,93.70) = 4.44, p = .038), and fatigue symptoms (F(1,68.58) = 3.90, p = .050) at follow-up improved in MBB compared with those in SED. Consistently higher percentages of veterans in MBB reported improvements of sleep, pain, and composite sleep/general co-occurring symptoms at the postclinical evaluation, as compared with veterans in SED. Finally, the mean waking level of salivary α-amylase in the MBB declined to a greater extent than that in the SED, at follow-up (F(1,88.99) = 3.78, p = .055), whereas no effects were found on cortisol., Conclusions: Sleep-focused MBB can improve sleep and possibly also co-occurring symptoms in Gulf War veterans., Clinical Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01543997.

Cancer survivors experience high levels of distress, associated with a host of negative psychological states, including anxiety, depression, and fear of recurrence, which often lead to sleep problems and reduction in quality of life (QOL) and well-being. As a neuropeptide hormone associated with affiliation, calmness, and well-being, oxytocin may be a useful biological measure of changes in health outcomes in cancer survivors. In this exploratory study, which comprised a subset of participants from a larger study, we evaluated (a) the feasibility and reliability of salivary oxytocin (sOT) levels in cancer survivors and (b) the effects of 2 sleep-focused mind-body interventions, mind-body bridging (MBB) and mindfulness meditation (MM), compared with a sleep hygiene education (SHE) control, on changes in sOT levels in 30 cancer survivors with self-reported sleep disturbance. Interventions were conducted in 3 sessions, once per week for 3 weeks. Saliva samples were collected at baseline, postintervention (~1 week after the last session), and at the 2-month follow-up. In this cancer survivor group, we found that intra-individual sOT levels were fairly stable across the 3 time points, of about 3 months' duration, and mean baseline sOT levels did not differ between females and males and were not correlated with age. Correlations between baseline sOT and self-report measures were weak; however, several of these relationships were in the predicted direction, in which sOT levels were negatively associated with sleep problems and depression and positively associated with cancer-related QOL and well-being. Regarding intervention effects on sOT, baseline-subtracted sOT levels were significantly larger at postintervention in the MBB group as compared with those in SHE. In this sample of cancer survivors assessed for sOT, at postintervention, greater reductions in sleep problems were noted for MBB and MM compared with that of SHE, and increases in mindfulness and self-compassion were observed in the MBB group compared with those in SHE. The findings in this exploratory study suggest that sOT may be a reliable biological measure over time that may provide insight into the effects of mind-body interventions on health outcomes in cancer survivors., (© The Author(s) 2015.)

Purpose: Cancer survivors experience significant stress and diminished well-being long after treatment. Dispositional mindfulness is linked with salutary coping with stress and enhanced well-being, with potentially beneficial effects on stress-related hormones. In the present study, we evaluated dispositional mindfulness as a predictor of changes in waking salivary cortisol levels among a sample of cancer survivors., Methods: Mindfulness, well-being, and saliva samples were collected at baseline and at 4- and 12-week follow-ups. Latent growth curve analysis was conducted to examine baseline dispositional mindfulness as a predictor of changes in waking salivary cortisol over time, and regression analyses examined associations between well-being and cortisol., Results: Findings indicated that cancer survivors who reported lower baseline levels of dispositional mindfulness exhibited increases in waking cortisol over time, whereas those who reported higher baseline dispositional mindfulness showed comparatively stable waking cortisol over the study period. Furthermore, increases in waking cortisol were associated with decreased well-being over the study period., Conclusions: This study provides preliminary evidence that cancer survivors with higher levels of dispositional mindfulness may be buffered from deleterious changes in cortisol secretion., Implications for Cancer Survivors: Enhanced dispositional mindfulness may promote salutary neuroendocrine function among cancer survivors and thereby improve well-being during the survivorship process.

Dynamic reflexivity is central to enabling flexible and emergent qualitatively driven inductive mixed-method and multiple methods research designs. Yet too often, such reflexivity, and how it is used at various points of a study, is absent when we write our research reports. Instead, reports of mixed-method and multiple methods research focus on what was done rather than how it came to be done. This article seeks to redress this absence of emphasis on the reflexive thinking underpinning the way that mixed- and multiple methods, qualitatively driven research approaches are thought about and subsequently used throughout a project. Using Morse's notion of an armchair walkthrough, we excavate and explore the layers of decisions we made about how, and why, to use qualitatively driven mixed-method and multiple methods research in a study of mindfulness training (MT) in schoolchildren., (© The Author(s) 2015.)

Objective: The purpose of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a Tai Chi Chih (TCC) intervention in senior female cancer survivors with physical functioning limitations, and its effects on health-related quality of life (QOL)., Design: This was a two-armed, parallel group, RCT with 12-weeks of Tai Chi Chih or Health Education Control., Methods: Sixty-three senior (M age = 67 years, SD = 7.15) female cancer survivors (83% breast cancer, stages I-III) with physical functioning limitations (SF-12 Health Survey role-physical & physical functioning subscales) were randomized to 12-weeks of TCC or Health Education control (HEC). Primary outcomes were feasibility and acceptability. Secondary outcomes included health-related QOL (SF-36 Health Survey), and participants' qualitative feedback on the intervention., Results: Retention (TCC = 91%; HEC = 81%) and class attendance (TCC = 79%; HEC = 83%) rates, and satisfaction levels for both study arms were high, but did not significantly differ from one another. At one-week post-intervention, none of the SF-36 scores differed between the TCC and HEC groups. Within-group analyses revealed significant improvements in the mental component summary score in TCC (p = 0.01), but not in HEC. Qualitative analyses indicated that the TCC group felt they received mental and physical benefits, whereas HEC group reported on social support benefits and information received., Conclusion: The TCC intervention was found to be a feasible and acceptable modality for senior female cancer survivors. Future, larger definitive trials are needed to clarify TCC dosage effects on QOL in this vulnerable population.

Objective: The main aim of this exploratory study was to assess whether salivary α-amylase (sAA) and salivary cortisol levels would be positively modulated by sleep-focused mind-body interventions in female and male cancer survivors., Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial in which 57 cancer survivors with self-reported sleep disturbance received either a Sleep Hygiene Education (SHE; n=18) control, or one of two experimental mind-body interventions, namely, Mind-Body Bridging (MBB; n=19) or Mindfulness Meditation (MM; n=20). Interventions were three sessions each conducted once per week for three consecutive weeks. Saliva cortisol and sAA were measured at baseline and 1 week after the last session. Participants also completed a sleep scale at the same time points when saliva was collected for biomarker measurement., Results: Our study revealed that at post-intervention assessment, mean sAA levels upon awakening ("Waking" sample) declined in MBB compared with that of SHE. Mean Waking cortisol levels did not differ among treatment groups but declined slightly in SHE. Self-reported sleep improved across the three interventions at Post-assessment, with largest improvements in the MBB intervention., Conclusion: In this exploratory study, sleep focused mind-body intervention (MBB) attenuated Waking sAA levels, suggesting positive influences of a mind-body intervention on sympathetic activity in cancer survivors with sleep disturbance., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: After completing treatment, cancer survivors may suffer from a multitude of physical and mental health impairments, resulting in compromised quality of life. This exploratory study investigated whether two mind-body interventions, i.e., Mind-Body Bridging (MBB) and Mindfulness Meditation (MM), could improve posttreatment cancer survivors' self-reported sleep disturbance and comorbid symptoms, as compared to sleep hygiene education (SHE) as an active control., Methods: This randomized controlled trial examined 57 cancer survivors with clinically significant self-reported sleep disturbance, randomly assigned to receive MBB, MM, or SHE. All interventions were conducted in three sessions, once per week. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed via the Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Scale and other indicators of psychosocial functioning relevant to quality of life, stress, depression, mindfulness, self-compassion, and well-being., Results: Mixed effects model analysis revealed that mean sleep disturbance symptoms in the MBB (p = .0029) and MM (p = .0499) groups were lower than in the SHE group, indicating that both mind-body interventions improved sleep. In addition, compared with the SHE group, the MBB group showed reductions in self-reported depression symptoms (p = .040) and improvements in overall levels of mindfulness (p = .018), self-compassion (p = .028), and well-being (p = .019) at postintervention., Conclusions: This study provides preliminary evidence that brief sleep-focused MBB and MM are promising interventions for sleep disturbance in cancer survivors. Integrating MBB or MM into posttreatment supportive plans should enhance care of cancer survivors with sleep disturbance. Because MBB produced additional secondary benefits, MBB may serve as a promising multipurpose intervention for posttreatment cancer survivors suffering from sleep disturbance and other comorbid symptoms., Implications for Cancer Survivors: Two brief sleep-focused mind-body interventions investigated in the study were effective in reducing sleep disturbance and one of them further improved other psychosocial aspects of the cancer survivors' life. Management of sleep problems in survivors is a high priority issue that demands more attention in cancer survivorship.

Unlabelled: This document reports the consensus of an interdisciplinary panel of research and clinical experts charged with reviewing the use of opioids for chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) and formulating guidelines for future research. Prescribing opioids for chronic noncancer pain has recently escalated in the United States. Contrasting with increasing opioid use are: 1) The lack of evidence supporting long-term effectiveness; 2) Escalating misuse of prescription opioids including abuse and diversion; and 3) Uncertainty about the incidence and clinical salience of multiple, poorly characterized adverse drug events (ADEs) including endocrine dysfunction, immunosuppression and infectious disease, opioid-induced hyperalgesia and xerostomia, overdose, falls and fractures, and psychosocial complications. Chief among the limitations of current evidence are: 1) Sparse evidence on long-term opioid effectiveness in chronic pain patients due to the short-term time frame of clinical trials; 2) Insufficiently comprehensive outcome assessment; and 3) Incomplete identification and quantification of ADEs. The panel called for a strategic interdisciplinary approach to the problem domain in which basic scientists and clinicians cooperate to resolve urgent issues and generate a comprehensive evidence base. It offered 4 recommendations in 3 areas: 1) A research strategy for studying the effectiveness of long-term opioid pharmacotherapy; 2) Improvements in evidence-generation methodology; and 3) Potential research topics for generating new evidence., Perspective: Prescribing opioids for CNCP has outpaced the growth of scientific evidence bearing on the benefits and harms of these interventions. The need for a strong evidence base is urgent. This guideline offers a strategic approach to creating a comprehensive evidence base to guide safe and effective management of CNCP., (Copyright 2010 American Pain Society. All rights reserved.)

The neurohypophysial hormone oxytocin (OT), synthesized in magnocellular paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic (SON) nuclei, is well known for its effects in lactation. Our previous studies showed that central OT receptor (OTR) binding is increased during gestation and that blockade of central OTRs, specifically during mid-late gestation, causes a delay in OT release during suckling and reduces weight gain in pups, suggesting decreased milk delivery. In the present study, we tested whether central OTR blockade during late gestation disrupts the gestation-related plasticity in intrinsic membrane properties. Whole cell current-clamp recordings were performed in OT neurons from pregnant rats (19-22 days in gestation) that were infused with an OTR antagonist (OTA) or artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) and from virgin rats infused with aCSF into the third ventricle via an osmotic minipump beginning on days 12-14 of gestation. The amplitudes of both Ca(2+)-dependent afterhyperpolarizations (AHPs), an apamin-sensitive medium AHP (mAHP) and an apamin-insensitive slow AHP (sAHP), were significantly increased during late gestation in control pregnant animals. However, the amplitude of the sAHP from pregnant rats treated with the OTA was significantly smaller than that of pregnant control rats and similar to that of virgins. These results indicate that the diminished efficiency in lactation due to OTR blockade may be partly a result of an altered sAHP that would shape OT bursting. These findings suggest that central actions of OT during late gestation are necessary for programming the plasticity of at least some of the intrinsic membrane properties in OT neurons during lactation.

Central oxytocin receptors (OTR) may be involved in adaptations of the brain oxytocin (OT) system during gestation, which are critical for systemic release of OT during parturition and lactation. We used quantitative autoradiography to determine changes in OTR binding in numerous brain sites during the course of gestation in the rat. Furthermore, to evaluate the importance of ovarian steroids in mediating pregnancy-related changes in OTR binding, we measured binding in ovariectomized animals treated with progesterone and/or estrogen, and in pregnant animals treated with exogenous progesterone during late gestation. We found that OTR binding was significantly increased in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and supraoptic nucleus (SON) by midgestation (day 15) compared with control. In addition, there was a further significant increase in OTR binding in these nuclei by late gestation (day 20). The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) and the medial preoptic area (MPOA) also showed significant gestation-associated increases in OTR binding, which were similar during mid- and late pregnancy. Treatment with exogenous progesterone throughout pregnancy did not alter the increase in OTR binding characteristic of late gestation in any of these brain sites. Finally, estrogen treatment in ovariectomized animals resulted in increased OTR binding in the SON, BNST, and MPOA, but not the PVN. These data demonstrate that OTR binding in the hypothalamus is increased during mid- and late-gestation, compared with ovariectomized control animals, which may be mediated by increased estradiol.

The central and systemic release of oxytocin (OT) has been well documented during parturition and lactation. In preparation for the demands of these events, the magnocellular hypothalamic neurons of the central OT system undergo a variety of biochemical, molecular, electrophysiological, and anatomical adaptations during gestation. However, the mechanisms responsible for these changes have not been well established. A number of neurochemical mediators have been implicated in contributing to the plasticity in the OT magnocellular system during gestation, including ovarian hormones, as well as central neurotransmitters, such as glutamate, gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), and central neurosteroids, e.g., allopregnanolone. In addition, several lines of evidence suggest that central OT release and subsequent OT receptor stimulation may contribute to adaptations of the OT system during gestation, and may be necessary for its subsequent functioning during lactation. Here, we review evidence for involvement of the neurochemical systems implicated in contributing to adaptations that occur in the OT system during the course of gestation.

A number of changes occur in the oxytocin (OT) system during gestation, such as increases in hypothalamic OT mRNA, increased neural lobe and systemic OT, and morphological and electrophysiological changes in OT-containing magnocellular neurons, suggestive of altered neuronal sensitivity, which may be mediated by ovarian steroids. Because central norepinephrine (NE) and histamine (HA) are potent stimulators of OT release during parturition and lactation, the present study investigated the effects of central noradrenergic and histaminergic receptor activation on systemic (NE, HA) and intranuclear (NE) OT release in pregnant rats and in ovariectomized rats treated with ovarian steroids. Plasma OT levels in late gestation were significantly higher compared with all other groups, and neither adrenergic nor histaminergic receptor blockade decreased these elevated levels. Furthermore, the alpha-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine, but not histamine, stimulated systemic OT release to a significantly greater extent in late gestation than in midpregnant, ovariectomized, or steroid-treated females. Although basal extracellular OT levels in the paraventricular nucleus, as measured with microdialysis, were unchanged during pregnancy or steroid treatment, noradrenergic receptor stimulation of intranuclear OT release was significantly elevated in midgestation females compared with all other groups. These studies indicate that sensitivity of intranuclear and systemic OT release to noradrenergic receptor activation differentially varies during the course of gestation.

There is evidence that the central oxytocin system is activated and undergoes reorganization before parturition. The present study was designed to determine the effects of central oxytocin receptor blockade during late gestation on parturition, pup growth, and oxytocin release during suckling. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted on gestation day 12-14 with Alzet osmotic minipumps containing an oxytocin receptor antagonist (d(CH2)5, Tyr(Me)(2), Orn(8)-vasotocin; OT-X) or artificial cerebrospinal fluid (VEH), which was infused into the third cerebral ventricle. Pumps were removed within 24 h of parturition. Daily maternal body weight and food intake were monitored during gestation and lactation. The length of gestation, duration of parturition, pup number, litter weight and interbirth interval were recorded. Subsequently, pup number and litter weights were recorded daily until lactation day 10 or 11, when maternal and pup behaviour, and plasma oxytocin concentration before and during suckling were measured. Central oxytocin blockade had no effect on the timing of parturition, maternal behaviour, litter size, still births, or litter weights at birth. However, beginning on day 3 of lactation, average weights of litters of OT-X females were significantly lower than litters of VEH-treated females. Furthermore, while basal plasma oxytocin concentrations, oxytocin increases in response to suckling and dam/pup interactions did not differ between groups, a significant delay in suckling-induced systemic oxytocin release was observed in OT-X females. Finally, OT-X dams weighed less than VEH dams during the postpartum observation period, although food intakes were similar. These data suggest that central actions of oxytocin during late gestation are necessary for the normal timing of systemic release of oxytocin during suckling, normal pup weight gain, and maintenance of maternal body weight.

To better understand the full extent of the odorant detection capabilities of fish, we investigated the olfactory sensitivity of zebrafish to a monoamine and several polyamines using electrophysiological and activity-dependent labeling techniques. Electro-olfactogram (EOG) recording methods established the relative stimulatory effectiveness of these odorants as: spermine >> spermidine approximately agmatine > glutamine > putrescine >or= cadaverine >or= histamine > artificial freshwater. The detection threshold for the potent polyamines was approximately 1 micromol l(-1). Cross-adaptation experiments suggested that multiple receptors are involved in polyamine detection. Three observations indicated that polyamine signaling may involve a transduction cascade distinct from those used by either amino acids or bile salts. Like bile salts and the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin, but unlike amino acid odorants, polyamines failed to stimulate activity-dependent labeling of olfactory sensory neurons with the cation channel permeant probe agmatine, suggesting a signaling pathway different from that used by amino acid stimuli. Also supporting distinct amino acid and polyamine signaling pathways is the finding that altering phospholipase C activity with the inhibitor U-73122 significantly reduced amino acid-evoked responses, but had little effect on polyamine- (or bile salt-) evoked responses. Altering cyclic nucleotide-mediated signaling by adenylate cyclase activation with forskolin, which significantly reduced responses to bile salts, failed to attenuate polyamine responses, suggesting that polyamines and bile salts do not share a common transduction cascade. Collectively, these findings suggest that polyamines are a new class of olfactory stimuli transduced by a receptor-mediated, second messenger signaling pathway that is distinct from those used by amino acids or bile salts.

The olfactory epithelium (OE) of zebrafish is populated with ciliated and microvillar olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs). Whether distinct classes of odorants specifically activate either of these unique populations of OSNs is unknown. Previously we demonstrated that zebrafish OSNs could be labeled in an activity-dependent fashion by amino acid but not bile acid odorants. To determine which sensory neuron type was stimulated by amino acid odorants, we labeled OSNs using the ion channel permeant probe agmatine (AGB) and analyzed its distribution with conventional light- and electron-microscope immunocytochemical techniques. Approximately 7% of the sensory epithelium was labeled by AGB exposure alone. Following stimulation with one of the eight amino acids tested, the proportion of labeled epithelium increased from 9% for histidine to 19% for alanine; amino acid stimulated increases in labeling of 2-12% over control labeling. Only histidine failed to stimulate a significant increase in the proportion of labeled OSNs compared to control preparations. Most amino acid sensitive OSNs were located superficially in the epithelium and immuno-electron microscopy demonstrated that the labeled OSNs were predominantly microvillar. Large numbers of nanogold particles (20-60 per 1.5 microm(2)) were associated with microvillar olfactory sensory neurons (MSNs), while few such particles (<15 per 1.5 microm(2)) were observed over ciliated olfactory sensory neurons (CSNs), supporting cells (SCs) and areas without tissue, such as the lumen above the OE. Collectively, these findings indicate that microvillar sensory neurons are capable of detecting amino acid odorants.

Behavioral patterns were quantified in seven heterosexual lesser bushbaby (Galago moholi) pairs during the estrous cycle to determine the relative significance of behavioral and nonbehavioral components of female sexuality in mate attraction. Increases in the occurrence of several male behaviors indicating female attractiveness were initiated during vaginal swelling when the female was sexually nonreceptive. Female behavioral estrus, as indicated by intromission, was confined to a portion of vaginal opening coinciding with proestrous and vaginal estrous smears. Female attractiveness was maintained for much of the period of vaginal opening, whereas female receptivity ended a day or two earlier than attractiveness. Female receptive and proceptive behaviors were not well defined or extensive, and few female behaviors exhibited significant changes during the cycle. Scent-marking behaviors, such as urine washes, and male grooms, were generally elevated outside the behavioral estrous period. In G. moholi, male sexual arousal appears to be elicited primarily by female attractiveness, while behavioral components of female sexuality appear to be less important in influencing mate attraction., (Copyright 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Although it is generally assumed that fish are capable of discriminating amino acid odorants on the basis of differences in side-chain structure, less is known about their ability to discriminate amino acids with modifications to alpha-carboxyl and alpha-amino groups. In this study, the ability of the zebrafish olfactory system to detect and presumably discriminate analogues of the basic amino acid Arg was assessed, by using cross-adaptation and activity-dependent labeling techniques. Electrophysiological recordings established that esterification (L-arginine methyl ester; AME) or deletion (agmatine or amino-4-guanidobutane; AGB) of the alpha-carboxyl group yielded odorants more potent than Arg, whereas deletion of the alpha-amino group (L-argininic acid; AA) yielded a less potent analogue. In cross-adaptation experiments, no test-competitor odorant combination yielded complete cross-adaptation, suggesting the detection of these Arg analogues by multiple odorant receptors (ORs) with partially nonoverlapping specificities. Activity-dependent immunocytochemical labeling of olfactory receptor neurons supported this conclusion. AGB, an ion-channel-permeant probe (and odorant), labeled 4.9 +/- 0.4% (n = 24) of sensory epithelium, whereas the addition of Arg, 1-ethylguanidine sulfate, L-alpha-amino-beta-guanidinopropionate, or AME to AGB resulted in a significant elevation of labeling (8-14%). This study provides evidence that the olfactory system has the potential to discriminate among amino acid odorants with modified alpha-carboxyl and alpha-amino groups.

The effects of ovariectomy, estradiol-17beta, and progesterone on female sexuality were investigated in a prosimian primate, the lesser bushbaby (Galago moholi). Each of eight ovariectomized, adult bushbabies was pair-tested with a male partner in the absence of hormone treatment, during estradiol-17beta (E2) treatment (3.125 microg/0.1 ml), and during E2 + progesterone (0.125 mg/0.1 ml) treatment. Pretreatment females were sexually nonreceptive and nonattractive toward the males. In contrast, E2 treatment elicited vaginal opening, partial or complete epithelial cell cornification, and female receptivity in all females and elicited the complete mating repertoire in seven pairs. Progesterone treatment opposed the facilitatory effects of E2 by inhibiting female receptivity and epithelial cell cornification and inducing vaginal closure. Behaviors were quantified following changes in hormone treatment, vaginal physiology, and the presence or absence of intromission. Female attractiveness (male sexual arousal) was initiated during vaginal swelling and was maintained for the duration of vaginal opening, while female receptivity was manifested exclusively during the period of vaginal opening. Female proceptive behavior was mainly associated with the period of receptivity. This study provided evidence of a strict hormonal regulation of both behavioral and nonbehavioral aspects of female sexuality in a prosimian., (Copyright 1997 Academic Press.)

Urinary hormone profiles, determined by means of radioimmunoassays, were aligned with changes in mating behaviour and vaginal morphology and cytology during the ovarian cycles of adult, female lesser bushbabies (Galago moholi), a prosimian species. Intromission occurred in all seven females, 2.0 +/- 1.1 days (mean +/- SEM, median = 0) after the occurrence of vaginal opening, and lasted for 4.1 +/- 0.7 days. Three females subsequently gave birth. Vaginal swelling and labial reddening were initiated at least 2.5 +/- 0.5 days before vaginal opening and lasted 10.4 +/- 0.9 days. Pro-oestrous and vaginal oestrous smears coincided with vaginal opening, specifically during the period of mating. Concentrations of immunoreactive oestradiol increased during the first few days of vaginal opening in one pregnant female and in the nonpregnant females, and coincided with mating. Concentrations of immunoreactive progesterone did not show any temporal pattern for either pregnant or nonpregnant females. Concentrations of immunoreactive testosterone were generally higher during vaginal swelling and opening than during the remainder of the cycle in one pregnant female, whereas in nonpregnant females, no specific temporal pattern was evident. In both pregnant and nonpregnant females, immunoreactive LH concentrations increased during the period of vaginal swelling and opening, while in nonpregnant females increases were also apparent after vaginal closure. The data reported here are preliminary, and further research is necessary to establish conclusively patterns of excreted hormones during the reproductive cycles of Galago moholi and in other prosimian species.