The lower salivary testosterone levels among unmarried and married sexually active men

Abstract

We examined the influences of regular sexual activity and marital status on salivary testosterone levels in healthy adult Japanese men. Forty-four men (20-66 years) collected their saliva thrice a day (0900-1000, 1300-1400, and 1700-1800). The testosterone levels at each collection time negatively correlated with the ages of the participants; therefore, residual testosterone levels were used for analyses after correcting for age by linear regression. The testosterone-lowering effect of marriage was marginal and the regular sexual activity more strongly associated with lower testosterone levels in morning saliva. The possible neurofeedback systems underlying the phenomenon are discussed. © 2006 Japan Ethological Society and Springer.