Relationship between ethanol intake and sexual function in rats.
- Author:
Xiu-guo GAN
1
;
Rui-hua AN
;
Yong-quan WANG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Animals; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Ethanol; administration & dosage; pharmacology; Male; Nitric Oxide Synthase; metabolism; Penile Erection; drug effects; Penis; metabolism; Random Allocation; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Sexual Behavior, Animal; drug effects; Testosterone; blood
- From: National Journal of Andrology 2006;12(12):1099-1101
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the intake of ethanol and sexual function of rats.
METHODSSixty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: the control, 10% , 20% , 30% and 40 ethanol groups, which received. . 9% sodium chloride, 10% , 20% , 30% and 40% ethanol solutions respectively at a dose of 2 ml through gastric tubes once a day. Three months later, we observed the effects of ethanol on the sexual function of the rats by their sexual behaviors, the number of apomorphine-induced penile erections, and the content of testosterone in the serum and nitric oxide synthase ( NOS) in the penis.
RESULTSCompared with the control group, the number of apomorphine-induced penile erections in the 10% and 20% ethanol groups was not inhibited significantly (P > 0.05), but the latent period of mounting and intromission in the 10% ethanol group was prolonged and the sexual behaviors in the 20% ethanol group were inhibited except the latent period of ejaculation. The sexual behaviors and the number of apomorphine-induced penile erections of the 30% and 40% ethanol groups were inhibited significantly (P < 0.05). Testosterone in the serum and NOS activity in the penis of the experimental groups were reduced (Pat < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONAn adequate volume of ethanol does not induce sexual dysfunction in rats, but long term and excessive intake of ethanol may cause penile erectile dysfunction.