OBJECTIVETo establish a mouse model of erectile dysfunction (ED) induced by liver-qi stasis for observing the changes in the mouse's sex organs and investigating the possible mechanism of ED.

METHODSSeventy-two Kunming mice, 24 males and 48 females, were randomly divided into a liver-qi stasis group, a severe liver-qi stasis group and a control group. A stressing box was used to exert gradual stress on the mice of the two experimental groups by confining them to the box and gradually reducing their room of movement so as to induce liver-qi stasis. In addition, the males of the severe liver-qi stasis group were further prohibited from any sexual activities to repress their sexual desire and intensify their liver-qi stasis.

RESULTSObvious differences were observed in the autonomous behavior, sexual activity and body weight of the mice of the three groups. Pathological examination showed that the sex organ indexes descended in the liver-qi stasis group and even further in the severe liver-qi stasis group as compared with the controls.

CONCLUSIONThe stressing box can induce and intensify ED associated with liver-qi stasis.