Animal Models of Ejaculatory Behavior

Premature ejaculation is generally regarded the most frequent male ejaculatory complaint and has been considered a psychosexual disorder with psychogenic aetiology. The efficacy of various antidepressants, however, to delay ejaculation in men and to pharmacologically treat premature ejaculation suggests a strong neurobiological involvement. Most of our current understanding of the neurobiology and neuroanatomy of sexual behavior and ejaculatory function has been derived from preclinical studies using several laboratory species. In the present paper we will review the various animal models that have been developed to further study ejaculatory function in the laboratory rat. In addition, we will briefly review the effects of serotonergic antidepressants and serotonergic compounds on sexual and ejaculatory behavior. Together, these preclinical studies may contribute to a better understanding of the neurobiology of ejaculation and help the development of novel drug targets to treat ejaculatory disorders such as premature ejaculation.