OBJECTIVETo study the effects of behind legs vibrations on erectile function in male rabbits through the concentration of plasma reproductive hormone and the expression of nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), endothelin-1 (ET-1) mRNA in vibrated male rabbits.

METHODS30 male adult rabbits were assigned randomly to A group (vibration power: 3.02 m/s(2)), B group (vibration power: 6.13 m/s(2)), C group (vibration power: 12.26 m/s(2)) and control group. The concentration of expression of eNOS, ET-1 mRNA were measured with RT-PCR after rated for 30 days.

RESULTS(1) Compared with 0 days vibration, after exposure to vibration for 10, 20, 30 days, the A, B, C group concentration of plasma T, LH are much lower (P < 0.05), the concentration of plasma E2 is much higher. (2) Compared with control group after exposed for 30 days, the expression of ET-1 mRNA [B group:(17.39 +/- 4.59) x 104; C group: (36.21 +/- 13.13) x 104 ] were much higher and expression of eNOS mRNA [A group: (19.11 +/- 6.83) x 104; B group: (11.86 +/- 3.15) x 104; C group: (4.68 +/- 3.26) x 104] was much lower, there were significant differences (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe vibration of behind legs in rabbits resulted the concentration of plasma T, LH are much lower, the concentration of plasma E2 is much higher, increased the expression of eNOS mRNA, decreased the expression of eNOS mRNA, then vary the erectile function.