Fertility News

Viagra may also Work as an Aphrodisiac - 08/24/2007

A new study conducted by the researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on sildenafil, the generic name for Viagra, found that this fertility drug might also work as an aphrodisiac. The study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of Physiology found that rats who received sildenafil before neural stimulation released three times the amount of oxytocin than they would have without sildenafil.

What is oxytocin? In humans, the pituitary gland releases oxytocin, also known as the “love hormone.” This hormone plays an important role in sexual arousal, social interactions, and reproduction. Some specific functions of oxytocin include initiating uterine contraction during labor and triggering lactation. Another study has also linked oxytocin to the formation of strong social bonds.

However, without the neural stimulation, sildenafil did not increase the amount of oxytocin released in rats. This is important to note, said Meyer Jackson the lead author of the study. Erectile dysfunction drugs do not directly cause erections, instead they increase the response to sexual stimulation, explained Jackson. The same thing happens with Viagra and oxytocin. Viagra doesn’t cause the release of oxytocin on its own, but instead it increases the amount of oxytocin released in response to sexual stimulation. Another recent study showed that these blue fertility pills helped hamsters overcome jetlag. What other uses Viagra may have will be interesting to find out.

Source: FOXNews

Fertility News Archive