804 ANDROGEN RECEPTOR CAG REPEAT LENGTH CORRELATES WITH SEXUAL FUNCTION IN MEN

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You have accessJournal of UrologySexual Function/Dysfunction/Andrology: Basic Research I1 Apr 2012804 ANDROGEN RECEPTOR CAG REPEAT LENGTH CORRELATES WITH SEXUAL FUNCTION IN MEN Alexander W. Pastuszak, Niraj Badhiwala, Weitao Song, Larry I. Lipshultz, and Mohit Khera Alexander W. PastuszakAlexander W. Pastuszak Houston, TX More articles by this author , Niraj BadhiwalaNiraj Badhiwala Houston, TX More articles by this author , Weitao SongWeitao Song Houston, TX More articles by this author , Larry I. LipshultzLarry I. Lipshultz Houston, TX More articles by this author , and Mohit KheraMohit Khera Houston, TX More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2012.02.893AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES The number of cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) repeats in the N-terminus of the androgen receptor (AR) affects activity, with fewer repeats increasing the AR's activity and more repeats decreasing it. Testosterone plays an integral role in male sexual function, with higher testosterone levels generally resulting in improved sexual function. Here we present an association between CAG repeat number and sexual function, implicating AR activity in the modulation of sexual function. METHODS A review of medical records for 85 men presenting to our clinic was performed, and demographic information, serum testosterone (T), free T (FT), and number of CAG repeats were obtained for each patient. All patients completed the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire, a validated metric for the evaluation of sexual function in men, and responses were correlated to CAG repeat number using Spearman's rank correlation. RESULTS Mean±SD subject age was 50.7±14.7 years, serum T 523.7±167.6 ng/dL, FT 28.5±23.8 pg/mL and CAG repeat number 21.3±2.5. Significant negative correlations were observed between CAG repeat number and all domains of the IIEF, including erectile function (ρ=-0.214, p=0.049), orgasmic function (ρ=-0.280, p=0.009), sexual desire (ρ=-0.217, p=0.046), intercourse satisfaction (ρ=-0.243, p=0.025), and overall satisfaction (ρ=-0.238, p=0.029) (Table 1). In addition, significant negative correlations were also observed between CAG repeat number and all individual IIEF questions except for questions 3, 4, and 8 (Table 1). Table 1. Spearman Rank Correlations Between AR CAG Repeat Number and IIEF Questions/Domains IIEF Question/Domain Spearman's Rho p-value How Often Able To Get Erection During Sexual Activity -0.246 0.023 Erections Able To Penetrate -0.258 0.017 Difficulty Of Maintaining Erection To Completion -0.214 0.050 How Many Times Attempted Intercourse? -0.218 0.044 Attempted Sexual Intercourse Satisfactory -0.233 0.032 How Often Did You Ejaculate? -0.294 0.006 How Often Orgasm? -0.261 0.016 How Often Felt Sexual Desire? -0.221 0.042 Sexual Desire Rating -0.220 0.043 Overall Sexual Life Satisfaction -0.227 0.037 Sexual Relationship Satisfaction Level -0.242 0.026 Get And Keep Erection Confidence Level -0.224 0.039 Erectile Function Domain -0.214 0.049 Orgasmic Function Domain -0.280 0.009 Sexual Desire Domain -0.217 0.046 Intercourse Satisfaction Domain -0.243 0.025 Overall Satisfaction Domain -0.238 0.029 CONCLUSIONS Androgen receptor CAG repeat number is inversely correlated with male sexual function assessed using the validated IIEF questionnaire, suggesting that the sensitivity of the AR may play a role in the male sexual response, and further highlighting the complexity of the sexual response pathway. © 2012 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 187Issue 4SApril 2012Page: e328-e329 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2012 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Alexander W. Pastuszak Houston, TX More articles by this author Niraj Badhiwala Houston, TX More articles by this author Weitao Song Houston, TX More articles by this author Larry I. Lipshultz Houston, TX More articles by this author Mohit Khera Houston, TX More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...