Changes in saliva testosterone after psychological stimulation in men

Abstract

Saliva testosterone (ST) concentration was measured in 20 young adult and healthy men before, during and after the presentation of five different films. The films were selected to provoke erotic, sexual, aggressive, stressful and neutral stimulation, respectively. An increase in ST was found 15 min after the onset of both the erotic and the sexual stimulation, while a decline of ST levels was observed during the stressful movie showing dental surgery. No changes were found for either the neutral or the aggressive stimulant. Furthermore, no differences were found between ST levels before and after the showing of any of the films. Thus, saliva testosterone responds quickly to psychological stimulation, and may provide a practical alternative to testosterone measurements in serum under psychological test situations.