Androgen(s)Crucial role in sexual behaviors.Play a role in general attractiveness to males. Female sexual behaviors are slightly androgen-dependent, but some evidence suggests that human females are not.
GnRHControls release of gonadal hormones.
TestosteronePre-hormone, metabolized by 5Ω-reductase into dihydrotestosterone and aromatized into estradiol, at sites of use (brain, sexual organs)Enough to restore sexual behaviors in case of lack of androgen hormones (rhezus monkey). Present in female blood, produced by ovaries (25%), adrenals (25%) and in tissues by conversion from androstenedione. Highest concentration at ovulation, slight increase.
5Ω-DihydrotestosteroneControls sexual behaviors in experienced male rats (control of this hormone is experience-dependent).
EstradiolMaintenance of sexual functioning in men, who were castrated. Mediates all sexual behavior, by affecting estrogen receptors (in rats, but not rhezus monkey).
Estrogen(s)Estrogen receptor antagonists block testosterone-induced restoration of copulatory behavior in castrated male rats. Ovarian hormone. Concentrations of estrogens vary greatly from puberty till menopause. Highest concentration at ovulation. Plays a role in vaginal response to sexual incentives.
Progesterone
Ovarian hormone. Synergizes to estrogen in some cases, to produce estrus cycles.
Androstenedione
Enough to restore sexual behaviors in case of lack of androgen hormones (rhezus monkey).
Drugs used in research
Flutamide (androgen antagonist)Blocks testosterone-induced restoration of copulatory behaviors in castrated male rats (also when implanted at hypothalamic sites).Does not affect sexual behaviors when compared to more conventional suppression of androgen hormones, in female rhezus monkey (Johnson & Phoenix, 1978).
Cyproterone acetate (androgen antagonist)Provides decline to spontaneous erections (in older prostate cancer patients)
Fadrozole (aromatase inhibitor)Reduces sexual behavior, mechanisms are not exactly understood, since aromatization is not quite considered obligatory.
Tamoxifen (estrogen receptor antagonist)Does not block human male sexual activity.
References
Ågmo, A. (2007). Functional and Dysfunctional Sexual Behavior: A Synthesis of Neuroscience and Comparative Psychology. Academic Press.
Ågmo, A. (2007). Chapter 5 - Endocrine control of sexual behavior. Functional and Dysfunctional Sexual Behavior (pp. 191–230). Oxford: Academic Press. Retrieved from HYPERLINK "http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123705907500062" http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123705907500062
Johnson, D.F. and Phoenix, C.H. (1978). Sexual behavior and hormone levels during the menstrual cycles of rhesus monkeys. Horm Behav 11: …