Improvement of sexual behavior, sperm quantity and quality by Quercetin in streptozotocin-induced diabetic erectile dysfunction

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Quercetin (QT) on erectile dysfunction and oxidative stress in penile tissue of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Two weeks after diabetes induction, QT was treated to normal and diabetic rats for 5 wk. Sexual behavioral parameters including mount latency, intromission latency, ejaculation latency, post-ejaculatory interval, mount frequency and intromission frequency, were observed against stimulus females. Sperm count and their motility and viability were recorded. Serum glucose and testosterone levels were estimated. In penile tissue levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and glutathione, and enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were measured. Histopathological changes were evaluated in a cross-section of penile tissue. Results: Sexual behavioral ejaculation latency, post-ejaculatory interval, mount latency and intromission latency were significantly increased while mount frequency and intromission frequency were decreased in diabetic rats. Treatment with QT corrected the male sexual behavioral levels and also enhanced the inhibited sperm count, motility and viability in diabetic rats. Serum testosterone and penile cyclic guanosine monophosphate levels were significantly increased in QT treated diabetic rats compared to untreated diabetic animals. Penile oxidative stress biomarkers were corrected by the QT treatments in diabetic rats. Histopathological evaluation revealed damaged penile tissues in diabetic rats, which was protected following QT treatment. Conclusions: QT eliminated the diabetic-induced sexual impairment and showed significant antioxidant effects in penile tissue. Further experimental studies are recommended for QT therapeutically usage.