OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of the secretory proteins of the ventral prostate on the glycoproteins in the oviductal fluid of golden hamsters.

METHODSMale golden hamsters were divided into four groups: sham operation (SH), total removal of accessory sex glands (TX), and retainment of the ventral prostate only (VP). Oviductal fluid was collected from female hamsters at 0.5, 2, 4 and 6 h after mating with the males of different operated groups with or without ventral prostate. Glycoproteins were probed with a panel of lectins and their changes in the oviductal fluid were analyzed by Western blot.

RESULTSThe 47 000, 52 000, 81 000 and 128 000 WGA-binding proteins were observed in the oviductal fluid of the 6 h TX group, the 32 000, 35 500, 47 000 and 52 000 WGA-binding glycoproteins noted in the 6 h VP group, the 47 000, 68 000, 95 000 and 128 000 pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA)-binding glycoproteins shown in the 6 h TX and VP groups, two extra 32 000 and 37 500 bands detected in the 6 h VP group, the 47 000 and 52 000 dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA)-binding glycoproteins present in the 6 h VP but absent in the 6 h TX group.

CONCLUSIONVentral prostate secretory proteins affect acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine/galactose and mannose in the oviductal fluid collected 6 hours after mating. And these glycoproteins may play an important role in the development of embryos.

Animals ; Copulation ; physiology ; Cricetinae ; Fallopian Tubes ; metabolism ; Female ; Glycoproteins ; metabolism ; Male ; Mesocricetus ; Prostatic Secretory Proteins ; physiology

PURPOSE: Evaluation of sexual function is an important step for animal studies about sexual function. Male rats could display penile erection in the presence of an inaccessible estrous female. We examined the usefulness of observing non-contact erection (NCE) for the evaluation of sexual function in male rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty five Long-Evans male rats (8 weeks old) were used in this study. Tests for NCE were conducted in a glass chamber divided in half by 2 wire-mesh screens that prevented direct contact, but the rats freely passed other forms of stimulation. If at least 1 NCE could be observed during 45 minutes, we considered this as a positive response. In case of two or three positive responses in three NCE tests, that was considered as NCE (+). After NCE, copulation observations were noted to evaluate sexual function. If at least two ejaculations could be observed during 45 minutes, we considered that a positive response. In case of two or three positive responses in three copulation observations, that was considered as normal sexual function. RESULTS: Twenty one of 45 male rats (47%) were NCE (+) and 34 of 45 male rats (76%) had normal sexual function. In 21 NCE (+) rats, 20 rats had normal sexual function: only one was impotent. The positive predictive value of the NCE observation for the evaluation of sexual function was 95%. In 11 impotent rats, 10 rats were NCE (-). The specificity of the NCE observation was 91%. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicated that NCE observation could be a useful method for evaluating the sexual function of male rat.
Animals ; Copulation ; Ejaculation ; Female ; Glass ; Humans ; Male* ; Penile Erection ; Rats* ; Sensitivity and Specificity

5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) containing pathways exert a inhibitory or facilitate effect on copulation. The administration of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor agonists to the central nervous system in rats inhibits male copulatory behavior, whereas the administration of antagonists facilitates corpulatory behavior. GABA may influence the erection through dopaminergic pathway. But few about the effect of GABA on serotoninergic neuron are known. Raphe nuclei give rise to the major serotonergic innervation to the hippocampal formation and the GABAergic interneurons are located at the hippocampal formation also. This study was performed to investigate the influence of GABA, inhibitory interneuron, on the 5-HT release from rat hippocampal slices to understand the connection of the serotonergic neurons to GABAergic interneurons. The hippocampus was obtained from the male rat brain and sliced to a 400 Im thickness. After 30 minutes preincubation in the normal buffer, the slices were incubated for 20 minutes in a buffer containing 0.1 microM [3H]5-HT for uptake, and washed. After administration of GABA, the release of [3H] 5-HT into the buffer was measured and the radioactivities in each buffer and the tissue were counted using liquid scintillation counter and the results were expressed as a percentage of the total activity. Spontaneous release of [3H] 5-HT from the rat hippocampal slices decreased rapidly during the first 40 minutes of incubation. Through the rapid release of [3H] 5-HT, a steady state of [3H] 5-HT release was obtained from the 50 minutes of incubation. The value of released [3H] 5-HT after 50 minutes was expressed as percent of the value at 50 minutes. After administration of GABA (10(-4)M), the values (mean +/- SE) of released (3H)5-HT were 97.3 +/- 3.8% at 60 minutes and 91.2 +/- 3.4% at 70 minutes. The values of control group were 96.6 +/- 1.9% at 60 minutes and 89.6 +/- 2.3% at 70 minutes. There were no changes in the release of (3H)5-HT after administration of GABA. These results suggest that there are few connections between GABA and serotoninergic neurons and GABA does not influence the release of 5-HT in rat hippocampus.
Animals ; Brain ; Central Nervous System ; Copulation ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid* ; Hippocampus ; Humans ; Interneurons ; Male ; Radioactivity ; Raphe Nuclei ; Rats ; Scintillation Counting ; Serotonergic Neurons ; Serotonin*

Cytoplasmic Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) is an antioxidant enzyme that converts superoxide to hydrogen peroxide in cells. Its spatial distribution matches that of superoxide production, allowing it to protect cells from oxidative stress. SOD1 deficiencies result in embryonic lethality and a wide range of pathologies in mice, but little is known about normal SOD1 protein expression in developing embryos. In this study, the expression pattern of SOD1 was investigated in post-implantation mouse embryos and extraembryonic tissues, including placenta, using Western blotting and immunohistochemical analyses. SOD1 was detected in embryos and extraembryonic tissues from embryonic day (ED) 8.5 to 18.5. The signal in embryos was observed at the lowest level on ED 9.5-11.5, and the highest level on ED 17.5-18.5, while levels remained constant in the surrounding extraembryonic tissues during all developmental stages examined. Immunohistochemical analysis of SOD1 expression on ED 13.5-18.5 revealed its ubiquitous distribution throughout developing organs. In particular, high levels of SOD1 expression were observed in the ependymal epithelium of the choroid plexus, ganglia, sensory cells of the olfactory and vestibulocochlear epithelia, blood cells and vessels, hepatocytes and hematopoietic cells of the liver, lymph nodes, osteogenic tissues, and skin. Thus, SOD1 is highly expressed at late stages of embryonic development in a cell- and tissue-specific manner, and can function as an important antioxidant enzyme during organogenesis in mouse embryos.
Animals ; Cerebral Cortex/embryology/enzymology ; Copulation ; Cytoplasm/*enzymology ; Embryonic Development/*physiology ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung/embryology/enzymology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Organogenesis/*physiology ; Pregnancy ; Stomach/embryology/enzymology ; Superoxide Dismutase/deficiency/genetics/*metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of Shengli capsules on the sexual ability of normal and castrated male rats.

METHODSShengli capsules were given by intragastric administration to 100 experimental male rats at different doses of 0.35, 0.70 and 1.40 g / kg. Data were collected and analyzed, including capture latency period, times of capture, sexual endurance and times of ejaculation, to assess the effects of Shengli capsules on the sexual ability of the rats. The Castrated Animal Impotence Model was employed to determine the erectile latency period and the function parameters of the preputial gland, seminal vesicle and prostate, so as to test the effects of Shengli on the development of the rats'sexual organs.

RESULTSShengli was proved to be effective in shortening copulation latency in the dose groups of 0.35, 0.70 and 1.40 g / kg (P < 0.01), increasing significantly the frequency of capture in the high- and low-dose groups of 0.35 and 1.40 g / kg (P < 0.05), reducing the latency period to erection in the low-dose group of 0.35 g / kg, and blocking the shrink of the seminal vesicle and prostate in the medium-dose group of 0.70 g / kg.

CONCLUSIONShengli is significantly effective in enhancing the sexual ability of male rats: it can boost libido, increase erection frequency and improve sexual performance. However, further studies have yet to be done on its action mechanisms.

Animals ; Capsules ; Copulation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Male ; Orchiectomy ; Ovariectomy ; Penile Erection ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sexual Behavior, Animal ; drug effects

Differences in intravaginal ejaculation latency reflect normal biological variation, but the causes are poorly understood. Here, we investigated whether variation in ejaculation latency in an experimental rat model is related to altered sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity and expression of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN). Male rats were classified as "sluggish," "normal," and "rapid" ejaculators on the basis of ejaculation frequency during copulatory behavioral testing. The lumbar splanchnic nerve activity baselines in these groups were not significantly different at 1460 ± 480 mV, 1660 ± 600 mV, and 1680 ± 490 mV, respectively (P = 0.71). However, SNS sensitivity was remarkably different between the groups (P < 0.01), being 28.9% ± 8.1% in "sluggish," 48.4% ± 7.5% in "normal," and 88.7% ± 7.4% in "rapid" groups. Compared with "normal" ejaculators, the percentage of neurons expressing NMDA receptors in the PVN of "rapid" ejaculators was significantly higher, whereas it was significantly lower in "sluggish" ejaculators (P = 0.01). In addition, there was a positive correlation between the expression of NMDA receptors in the PVN and SNS sensitivity (r = 0.876, P = 0.02). This study shows that intravaginal ejaculatory latency is associated with SNS activity and is mediated by NMDA receptors in the PVN.
Animals ; Copulation ; Ejaculation/physiology* ; Female ; Male ; Neurons/physiology* ; Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus/physiology* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate/metabolism* ; Sexual Behavior, Animal/physiology* ; Splanchnic Nerves/physiology* ; Sympathetic Nervous System/physiology*

AIMTo investigate the influence of an extract obtained from five Chinese medicinal plants on sexual behavior of adult male rats.

METHODSThe extract was administered at doses of 30, 60 and 120 mg/kg by oral gavage, acutely (one time, 45 min before mating test) or subchronically (daily for 10 days) in sexually potent and sexually sluggish/impotent rats. Sexual behavior, serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (T) were evaluated in treated rats and compared with controls receiving vehicle. The effect of the extract on central dopaminergic neurotransmission was assessed in the nucleus accumbens using a microdialysis technique.

RESULTSIn sexually potent rats, both acute and subchronic treatment with the extract dosed at 30 and 60 mg/kg reduced mount latency and intromission latency. In sluggish/impotent rats, the acutely administered extract at the dose of 60 mg/kg shortened ejaculation latency, whereas subchronically administered at the doses of 30 and 60 mg/kg, reduced mount, intromission and ejaculation latencies, increasing also the percentage of mounting and ejaculating rats. The extract dosed at 60 mg/kg significantly increased LH and T following acute and subchronic administration and increased 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid levels in the nucleus accumbens, 30 min after the acute administration.

CONCLUSIONThe improvement in both appetitive and consummatory components of sexual behavior observed in male rats treated with the extract could be ascribed to increased serum T level in parallel with the activation of the central dopaminergic system.

Animals ; Brain Chemistry ; drug effects ; Central Nervous System ; drug effects ; Copulation ; drug effects ; Dopamine ; physiology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Ejaculation ; drug effects ; Erectile Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; psychology ; Female ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; blood ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Male ; Microdialysis ; Motivation ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sexual Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Stimulation, Chemical ; Synaptic Transmission ; drug effects ; Testosterone ; blood

When chemical agents penetrate the placenta, it is potentially hazardous to the embryo because the embryonic stage is known to be extremely sensitive to various toxic agents. It has been reported that exposure to some chemical agents during pregnancy resulted in the induction of malformation or cancer in the offspring of experimental animals (Larsen, 1947; Klein, 1952; DiPaolo, 1964; Druckrey et al. 1966; Mohr et al, 1966; DiPaolo and Elis, 1967; Spatz and Laqueus, 1967; Alexandrov, 1968; Fujii and Nishimura, 1969; Rice, 1969; Bulay and Wattenberg, 1970; Currie, 1970; Vesselinovitch et al, 1971; Swenberg et al, 1972; Nomura et al, 1973). Fraser and Fainstat (1954) and Kalter (1954) found that administration of cortisone to pregnant female mice induced the appearance of cleft palates in the offspring. The frequency with which this deformity appears was observed to depend on: I) the genotype of the treated animal (strain differences), 2) the dose of the chemical administered, 3) the time during the gestation period when the animal was treated. A single intraperitoneal injection of 5-fluorouracil at 10, 11, 12 or 13 days after copulation in mice also produced abnormalities to the feet, deft palate and deformities of the tail in a large proportion of fetuses (Dagg, 1960). Urethan has been considered to be a highly teratogenic and carcinogenic agent in experimental animals (Nishimura and Kuginuki, 1958: Nomura and Okamoto, 1972). However, they stated that accurate timing of urethan toxicity and accurate calculation of urethan dosage actually reaching the embryo make it possible to analyze the sensitivity of the developing mouse embryo to mortality, growth inhibition, malformation and neoplasm. Nomura and Okamoto (1972) reported that when pregnant mice were exposed to urethan on various days of gestation (day 5 to 19) by a single injection malformations and neoplasms were induced in their offspring. It is frequently implied that an abnormal phenotype is due to the aberration in the genotype, but it is not possible to prove the specitic causal relation. Though, the frequent association between a variety of chromosomal abnormalities solves the problem of how the genotypic and phenotypic are interreiated (Schultz, 1965). 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR) and dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) induce chromosome aberrations in Chinese hamster cells cultured human lymphocytes and mouse cells in vivo (Somers and Hus, 1962; Kato, 1968; Matsuoka et al, 1979; Hahn and Kim, 1979). BUdR is a thymidine analog incorporated into only the DNA of proliferating cells and its mutagenic action is well understood (Freese, 1963). DMN is a potent carcinogen which induces tumors of the liver, lung, and kidney in rats (Magee and Bames, 1959). This agent has no teratogenic effect in rats when given in doses of different concentrations for different periods of time and by several routes of administeration during all stages of embryogeny (Alexandrov, 1967). The experiments reported in this study were undertaken to investigate the possibility that treatment of ICR inbred pregnant mice with BUdR and DMN might shows deformities or abnormalities in their offspring and also to determine whether chemical exposure during fetus will effect at 32 weeks after birth with second exposure to DMN by cytogenetical means. In this study, estrus ICR females were mated and 32 mice which had been diagnosed as pregnant were used. BUdR at the rate of 70, 100 and 150mg/kg of body weight was injected intraperitoneally at 6, 7, 8 days and 9, 11, 13 days of gestation, and DMN at the rate of 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg of body weight was injected at 8, 10, 12 days and 14, 15, 16 days of gestation, The offspring were examined macroscopicaily at time of birth for malformations. All animals were killed at 32 weeks of age and examined for liver abnormalities. The liver were cultured and treated with 1, 5 and 10 ug/ml of DMN for 18 hours. The frequencies of chromosome aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) were analyzed. The results are summarized as follows: 1. The litter size was reduced on treated animals. 2. Among the 279 progeny from 36 BUdR treated mothers, malformations were seen in a total of 10 progeny and the group treated at the 9 to 13 gestation days stage had the most. 3. Of the 155 progeny from 24 mothers injected with DMN, none had any visible deformity. However. 37.5% of the group were found to have liver nodules after 32 weeks treated at the 8 to 12 gestation day stage. 4. Repetitive treatment with DMN of the liver culture of the previously BUdR and DMN treated progeny, showed increased chromosome aberrations and SCE frequencies. In conclusion since the exposure of the mother of BUdR and DMN during pregnancy leads to increased chromosomal abnormalities of the cultured liver cells of progeny when treated with DMN a second time, it is necessary to keep in mind that genetic damage may be occure to the progeny by exposing the mother during pregnancy.
Animals ; Body Weight ; Bromodeoxyuridine ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Cleft Palate ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Copulation ; Cortisone ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; Cytogenetics ; Dimethylnitrosamine ; DNA ; Embryonic Structures ; Estrus ; Female ; Fetus ; Fluorouracil ; Foot ; Genotype ; Humans ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Kidney ; Litter Size ; Liver ; Lung ; Lymphocytes ; Mice ; Mortality ; Mothers ; Mutagens ; Palate ; Parturition ; Phenotype ; Placenta ; Pregnancy ; Rats ; Sister Chromatid Exchange ; Tail ; Thymidine ; Urethane

Animals ; Antigens, Surface/genetics* ; Cell Communication/genetics* ; Copulation/physiology* ; Fallopian Tubes/metabolism* ; Female ; Fertilization/genetics* ; GPI-Linked Proteins/genetics* ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Genes, Reporter ; Green Fluorescent Proteins/metabolism* ; Litter Size ; Luminescent Proteins/metabolism* ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Reproduction/genetics* ; Signal Transduction ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility/genetics* ; Spermatozoa/metabolism* ; Uterus/metabolism*