Sexual Behavior In Male Rats Research Articles

Aphrodisiac Effects of Ethanolic Extract from White Ginger Rhizome (Zingiber officinale Rosc. var. officinarum) on Male Wistar Rats

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common condition marked by difficulty maintaining a penile erection, often linked to reduced nitric oxide (NO) production. This study investigates the aphrodisiac properties of ethanolic white ginger extract (Z. officinale Rosc. var. officinarum) in male Wistar rats. Sixteen male and sixteen female rats were divided into four groups: two groups received 25% and 50% ginger extract, one served as a negative control, and the other as a positive control using sildenafil. Ginger rhizomes were dried, powdered, and extracted with ethanol. Phytochemical analysis revealed alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and terpenoids. Behavioral parameters, including introduction (approach to females), climbing, and coitus, were observed to evaluate sexual activity. The group treated with 50% ginger extract showed the highest frequency of introduction and climbing, while the sildenafil group exhibited the highest coitus frequency. Statistical analysis using the Kruskal-Wallis test indicated significant differences in sexual behavior across the groups. The study suggests that white ginger extract, especially at higher concentrations, may have aphrodisiac effects by enhancing sexual behavior in male rats. This could be due to its bioactive compounds affecting hormone levels or the nervous system. The findings propose white ginger as a potential natural treatment for ED, with further research required to explore its implications in humans.

Possible protective effects of vanillin against stress-induced seminiferous tubule injury via modulation of Nrf2 and ZO1.

Around 20% of the human population is distressed. Previous studies have looked into the relationship between restraint immobilization stress (IS) and sexual behavior in male rats. The current study aimed to provide a brief explanation of the mechanisms that generated testicular injury with chronic IS and an attempt to evaluate the mechanisms and effects of vanillin as a novel protective agent. Forty-eight adult male albino rats were divided into six groups: control, vanillin-treated, chronic 2-h IS, 2-h stressed-vanillin-treated, chronic 6-h IS, and 6-h stressed-vanillin treated. The rats were sacrificed, and blood samples were collected for biochemical study. The testes were processed for biochemical and histological study, as well as histological Johnsen score. The results showed that prolonged IS increased both corticosterone and TNF-α levels as well as decreased testosterone, luteinizing hormone, catalase, and Nrf2 levels. This effect was more pronounced after 6h of IS compared to 2h. It also induced various testicular injuries with weak ZO-1 and CD34 immunoreactions. On the contrary, vanillin improved all mentioned biochemical and histological alternations induced by stress. Additionally, computational molecular docking analyses were conducted on the compound vanillin within the active site of Zona Occludens-1 (PDB ID: 2JWE). The results demonstrated remarkable docking scores and binding affinity, corroborating its potential protective efficacy. It could be concluded that vanillin is a promising treatment alternative for protecting testicular tissue from the harmful effects of IS via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Pubertal stress in male rats: Effects on juvenile play behavior and adult sexual partner preference

Puberty is a period of brain organization impacting the expression of social and sexual behaviors. Here, we assessed the effects of an acute pubertal stressor (immune challenge) on the expression of juvenile play (short-term) and sexual partner preference (long-term) in male rats. Juvenile play was assessed over ten trials at postnatal days (PND) (31–40) with age- and sex-matched conspecifics, and at PND35 males received a single injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1.5 mg/kg i.p.) or saline. Then, sexual partner preference was assessed at PND 60, 64, and 68, in a three-compartment chamber with a sexually receptive female and a male as potential partners simultaneously. The results confirmed that a single injection of LPS during puberty induced sickness signs indicative of an immune challenge. However, juvenile play was not affected by LPS treatment during the following days (PND36–40), nor was sexual behavior and partner preference for females in adulthood. These findings highlight that, while other studies have shown that LPS-induced immunological stress during puberty affects behavior and neuroendocrine responses, it does not affect juvenile play and sexual behavior in male rats. This suggests a remarkable resilience of these behavioral systems for adaptation to stressful experiences mediated by immune challenges during critical periods of development. These behaviors, however, might be affected by other types of stress.

Aphrodisiac Potential of Tiger Nut (Cyperus esculentus L.) Powder in Male Wistar Albino Rat

This study aimed to assess the aphrodisiac potential of tiger nuts (Cyperus esculentus L.) powder in male Wistar albino rats. Twenty-five male and twenty-five female rats were used for the experiment. The male rats were selected into five groups of 5 rats/group. Two groups served as normal and positive controls. Three groups were fed with feed supplemented with varying concentrations of Cyperus esculentus powder (5%, 10%, and 20%) for fourteen (14) days. After the treatment, sexual behaviors, fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, nitric oxide, and some sex hormone levels were assayed. The results showed a significant variation in mount frequencies, while significant increases were observed in intromission frequency and intromission ratio as compared to the normal control. Significant increases in the body weight of both the normal control and treated groups were observed. However, the fasting blood glucose level was not altered significantly. Lipid profile levels were increased in rats fed a 20% tiger nut supplementary diet when compared with the control, whereas low-density lipoprotein was not changed significantly. Nitric oxide concentration significantly increased in the testes but decreased in the kidneys of the treated groups. The results of sex hormone levels showed a significant increase in follicle-stimulating hormone and testosterone with no variation in luteinizing hormone. These results showed that Cyperus esculentus powder can improve the sexual behavior of male rats, hence giving credence to the aphrodisiac potential of Cyperus esculentus.

Effects of chronic mild stress induced from peripuberty on sexual behavior in male rats, with or without escitalopram treatment.

After the Coronavirus Disease pandemic, depression became more present, including in adolescents. Escitalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, was approved in 2009 for treatment of the major depressive disorder, both in children and adolescents. The undesirable effects of antidepressants on sexual dysfunction are usually underestimated. To investigate the effects of chronic mild stress, induced from peripuberty up to adulthood, on male sexual behavior parameters, with or without the escitalopram treatment, using rats as experimental model in a translational study. Forty-four peripubertal male rats were distributed into four groups: Sham control, escitalopram, stress, and stress + escitalopram. The chronic mild stress consisted of nine different stressors randomly applied one per day, for 8weeks (from 41 to 97 days postpartum). Escitalopram therapy by gavage (10mg/kg) started at 70 days postpartum and lasted for 4weeks. The male sexual behavior parameters were evaluated at 114 days postpartum. After that, euthanasia was performed for blood and testis collection. Histopathology of the testes and plasmatic testosterone level were carried out. There was a reduction in sexual activity and motivation in rats exposed to the stress protocol, which were treated or not with escitalopram, as well as an increase in the total number of mounts in animals exposed to the stress and treated with escitalopram. The testosterone levels were lower in animals exposed to the stress, which were or not treated with escitalopram (stress and stress + escitalopram). The frequency of histologically normal seminiferous tubule sections was lower in animals that were exposed to the stress and/or received escitalopram (escitalopram, stress, and stress + escitalopram). Chronic mild stress induced from peripuberty, associated or not to escitalopram treatment, altered the testosterone levels and testicular histoarchitecture and seems to be related to the reduction in male sexual motivation.

Prepubescent Electronic Cigarette Exposure Affects Sexual Motivation and Puberty in Female But Not Male Long-Evans Rats.

A method for delivering vaporized nicotine to animals has been developed using e-cigarette devices. The present experiment was designed to measure the effects of e-cigarette nicotine on pubertal onset and development of reproductive behavior in female and male Long-Evans rats. Rats received daily 10-min sessions of electronic-cigarette vaporized nicotine (5% Virginia Tobacco JUUL Pods) or room air in a whole-body exposure chamber (postnatal day 28-31). Pubertal onset was monitored daily (ie, vaginal opening in females, preputial separation in males). Two weeks later, rats were tested for sexual motivation using the partner-preference paradigm, whereby subjects were given the opportunity to approach either a sexual partner or a same-sex social partner. Four weeks later, partner preference was assessed again, 10 min after rats were re-exposed to their same prepubertal treatment. We found that prepubescent electronic-cigarette vaporized nicotine disrupted puberty and sexual motivation in female but not male rats. In vaped females, vaginal opening was delayed and less time was spent with the male stimulus compared to room-air controls. In contrast, no effect of e-cigarette vapor was observed on pubertal onset or on any measures of sexual behavior in male rats. No effects were observed in either female or male rats on the second partner-preference test. Prepubescent vaporized nicotine affected the development of reproductive physiology and behavior in female rats but not in male rats, whereas an additional acute exposure to nicotine vapor had no effect in either female or male adult rats. Given the prevalence of increasingly younger users, more animal research is needed to explore the effects of e-cigarette smoking on multiple developmental systems including reproductive physiology and behavior. This model could be useful in exploring multiple behavioral and physiological endpoints in both sexes. Adjustments to the duration of exposure and control conditions will be necessary for future experiments to best model human use.

Influence of environmental enrichment on sexual behavior and the process of learning and memory in a rat model of autism with valproic acid

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a psychiatric disorder with severe behavioral consequences and no specific therapy. Its etiology is multifactorial, as it is caused by a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors. In rats, prenatal exposure to the antiepileptic drug valproic acid (VPA) has been associated with an increased risk of autistic-like behaviors in offspring, including social behavior deficits, increased repetitive behaviors, and cognitive impairments. In addition, VPA-treated rats have shown altered sociosexual behaviors. However, the mechanisms underlying these alterations in reproductive processes in VPA-treated rats are not fully understood. Interestingly some abnormal behaviors in VPA autism models are improved by an enriched environment (EE). In the present study, we examined the effects of EE on memory performance and sexual behavior in male rats. We found that on postnatal day 90, EE reduced the time it took for both control and VPA-treated groups to find a hidden platform in the Morris water maze. On PND 100, prenatal exposure to VPA reduced total exploring time in object recognition tests. On PND 110, EE reduced mount and intromission latency and increased ejaculatory frequency in VPA-treated male rats. These results suggest that environmental stimuli significantly influence the onset of sexual behavior in VPA-treated male rats and that EE may be a potential tool for improving a variety of behavioral deficiencies in rodent models of autism.

Effects of cabergoline and dimethylcabergoline on the sexual behavior of male rats.

Cabergoline (CAB) is an ergot derivative typically prescribed for the treatment of hyperprolactinemia. It suppresses the release of prolactin through agonist actions on dopamine (DA) D2 receptors; however, it possesses binding affinity for other DA and 5-HT receptors. Side effects that exacerbate valvular heart disease can occur with high doses. The present study examined the acute, subchronic, and chronic dose-response effects of CAB and a derivative dimethylcabergoline (DMC) which acts as an antagonist instead of agonist at 5-HT 2B receptors, on appetitive and consummatory sexual behaviors of male rats. CAB (0, 0.03, 0.15, or 0.3mg/kg/ml) was administered daily to sexually experienced male rats (N = 10/dose) by oral gavage for a total of 68days. Sexual behavior was tested every 4days during this period for a total of 16 trials. On the 17th trial, rats were administered their dose of CAB, and 4h after were overdosed with sodium pentobarbital, perfused intracardially, and their brains processed for Fos immunohistochemistry. DMC (0, 0.03, 0.15, 0.3mg/kg/ml) was administered daily to sexually experienced male rats (N = 10/dose) by oral gavage for a total of 36days. Sexual behavior was tested every 4days for a total of 9 trials. CAB increased anticipatory level changes, intromissions, and ejaculations significantly across all timepoints, with the medium and high doses being most potent. The medium and high doses also increased Fos protein significantly within the medial preoptic area, whereas in the nucleus accumbens shell, the low and medium doses decreased Fos protein but the high dose increased it significantly from control. Similar to CAB, the medium and high doses of DMC increased the number of ejaculations significantly. Rats in all drug dose groups appeared healthy for the duration of the experiments. Both CAB and DMC facilitate ejaculations, and CAB further facilitates measures of anticipatory sexual motivation and intromissions. These data suggest that both could be used as treatments for sexual arousal disorders and ejaculation/orgasm disorders with little or no untoward side effects at low doses.

2,4-Dichlorophenol Shows Estrogenic Endocrine Disruptor Activity by Altering Male Rat Sexual Behavior.

Chlorophenols (CPs) have been extensively used worldwide as a treatment to prevent the growth and proliferation of different microorganisms, mainly in the wood and farm industries. Chlorine has been used for water disinfection, and phenol groups are water contaminants; these two groups can react with each other to form species such as 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP). 2,4-DCP is still used as an herbicide in many countries such as Mexico. CPs have been largely analyzed, like bisphenol A, for their probable endocrine-disrupting effects in humans and aquatic animals. We still do not understand whether these endocrine responses can be manifested as an impairment in sexual behavior in rodents. With the present toxicology study, the endocrine-disrupting effects of 2,4-DCP on male sexual behavior were investigated. Sexually naïve male Wistar rats were used to assess the endocrine-disrupting effects of 2,4-DCP. The rats were divided into two groups: one control group and one experimental group that was administered 1.25 mg/day of 2,4-DCP for 45 days. After completing treatment, the male sexual behavior of the rats was evaluated. The results of this investigation demonstrated that 2,4-DCP affected male sexual behavior. A decrease in mount latency, intromission latency, and post ejaculation period compared with the control animals was found.

A new approach to 'on-demand' treatment of lifelong premature ejaculation by treatment with a combination of a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist and SSRI in rats.

Lifelong premature ejaculation (PE) in men lacks an adequate on-demand pharmacological treatment. Although selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are used for PE they only work after chronic treatment, or if used on-demand, less adequately than chronic SSRI treatment. It has been shown that the addition of a behaviorally silent 5-HT1A-receptor antagonist to an SSRI can generate acute inhibitory effects on male rat sexual behavior. Atlas987 is a selective 5-HT1A-receptor antagonist with equal potency to displace agonist and antagonist binding to pre- and post-synaptic 5-HT1A receptors in rat and human brain. To investigate whether Atlas987 together with the SSRI paroxetine, a combination called Enduro, induces acute inhibitory effects on male rat sexual behavior, we tested Enduro in Wistar rats in a dose-dependent manner. We first tested the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist Atlas987 in 8-OH-DPAT induced serotonergic behavior in rats. Second, we tested Enduro in a dose-dependent manner in male sexual behavior. Third, we tested the effective time window of Enduro's action, and lastly, we measured the plasma levels of Atlas987 and paroxetine over an 8-h period. Results showed that Enduro acutely and dose-dependently reduced the number of ejaculations and increased the ejaculation latencies. The behavioral pattern induced reflected a specific effect on sexual behavior excluding non-specific effects like sedation or sensoric-motoric disturbances. The time-window of activity of Enduro showed that this sexual inhibitory activity was at least found in a 1-4 h' time window after administration. Plasma levels showed that in this time frame both Atlas987 and paroxetine are present. In conclusion, in rats, Enduro is successful in acutely inhibiting sexual behavior. These results may be therapeutically attractive as "on demand" treatment for life-long premature ejaculation in men.

Influence of stress caused by chronic isolation on the reproductive function of male rats

Studies on white outbred 3,54-month-old male rats showed that stress caused by chronic 2-month social isolation has a negative impact on reproductive function. A negative effect of long-term social isolation on the sexual behavior of male rats was revealed: a statistically significant increase in the latent period until the first emotional approach to the female, a decrease in the total time of emotional approaches, the time of anogenital sniffing of the female partner, and the number of allogrooming acts. At the same time, chronic isolation stress does not have a statistically significant effect on the total number of spermatozoa in the ejaculate of male rats, but it contributes to an increase in immobile forms, a decrease in the time of spermatozoa motility and their acid resistance compared to intact animals.

Almond-citrus peel enriched short bread modulates sexual behaviour and enzymes linked with erectle dysfunction in hypertensive rats

Almond nut (Terminalia catappa) and orange peel (Citrus sinensis) are commonly used as nutraceuticals in folklore for the treatment of degenerative diseases. Erectile dysfunction is a pathology with various predisposing factors such as hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. This study aim to evaluate the effect of almond-citrus peel enriched shortbread on sexual function and biochemical parameters linked with erectile dysfunction in high fat diet (HFD)/Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (l-NAME)- induced male rats. The experimental rats were distributed into eight groups and fed with shortbread enriched with varying inclusions of almond and citrus peel. Sexual behavioral assessments (mounting number, mounting latency, intromission number and intromission latency) were evaluated. Thereafter, the activities of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5),arginase, malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), antioxidant indices and nitric oxide (NO) level were evaluated. The result showed significant elevation in mounting latency, intromission latency, MDA level as well as arginase and PDE-5 activities in the penile tissue of the untreated rats. Conversely, the mounting number, intromission number, antioxidant status and NO level were significantly decreased in the untreated groups. Notably, the treatment with almond-citrus peel enriched shortbread and the individual effect of almond (50%) and citrus peel (0.2%) all reversed these trends in the hypertensive rats. However, treatment with the almond (50%)-citrus peel (0.2%) shortbread reinstated the altered sexual behaviour in male rats, enhanced antioxidant status and suppressedphosphodiesterase-5 and arginase activities in HFD/l-NAME-induced rats. The results suggest that almond and citrus peel offer potentials as therapeutic agent in the prevention and management of erectile dysfunction associated with hypertension. Intriguingly, the almond (50%)-citrus (0.2%) formulated shortbread had the best antioxidative and erectogenic effects.However, further in vivo experiments and clinical trials are recommended.

Effects of the aqueous extract of Pycnanthus angolensis (Myristicaceae) on male rat sexual behavior and nitric oxide release

Erectile dysfunction is a major public health problem leading to harmful consequences for couples. Hence the need to find adequate treatments using medicinal plants such as Pycnanthus angolensis, a Cameroonian plant used to treat erectile dysfunction. The effects of aqueous extract of Pycnanthus angolensis wood were evaluated on male rat sexual behavior and nitric oxide release. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of 5 each that included a group receiving orally: distilled water (10 ml/Kg BW), plant extract treatment (43 or 86 or 172 mg/kg BW). Sexual behaviors were monitored on days 1, 4, 7, and 14 by pairing male rats to receptive females and nitric oxide levels were assessed in penile homogenate. At the end of the 14 days of treatment, rats were killed and sexual organs weighed. No significant effect was observed on sexual organs weights. When administered at a dose of 43 mg/Kg, body weight; the plant extract significantly increased (p<0.05) the sexual performance as well as the libido of male rats. Nitric oxide release was significantly increased (p<0.05) in that group of extract-treated rats, while compared to the control group. The study demonstrates that Pycnanthus angolensis is a medicinal plant which can enhance the sexual behaviors of male rat. Hence, it can be used for the management of erectile dysfunction, mainly at a dose of 43 mg/Kg, body weight.

Effects of agonists of melanocortin receptors MC3Rand MC4R on components of sexual behavior of male rats reared in condition of chronic social isolation

BACKGROUND: Melanocortins, including -melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH), MSH, MSH, and adrenocorticotropic hormone, are products of the polypeptide proopiomelanocortin. These products bind to five different melanocortin receptors (MC1R, MC2R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R) with different affinities. Because MC3R and MC4R are the major types expressed in the brain, these two receptors can mediate the behavioral effects of melanocortins.
 AIM: To clear the role of MC4R in sexual behavior of male rats after social isolation from relatives.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, 40 naive male Wistar rats divided into 4 groups, 3 of which were grown in complete social and partial sensory isolation, received saline, PT-141 (MC3R/MC4R agonist) in a dose 0.3 g intraperitoneally, and THIQ (MC4R agonist) in a dose 0.1 g intranasally. Behavioral effects were registered in a cage with unreachable reinforcement in which the female in the estrus phase, separated by a transparent perforated barrier, was kept for 10 minutes under red light. Blood samples were taken 30 minutes after administration from the tail vein. Testosterone concentrations were measured by ELISA.
 RESULTS: Social isolation had no significant effect on latent time before trying to reach a female but decreased the time spent near the cage with a female. Isolated animals did not show genital grooming acts during the experiment. PT-141 decreased the latent time to approach the female, increased the time spent near the female cage, and stimulated genital grooming. THIQ decreased the latent time to reach a female and stimulated genital grooming. At the same time, THIQ had no effect on the time spent near the female cage. Social isolation reduced testosterone levels more than twice compared to controls. The administration of PT-141 and THIQ had no effect on testosterone concentration.
 CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm the depressing effect of chronic social isolation stress on the sexual motivation of male rats and demonstrate different roles of melanocortin MC3R/MC4R receptors in the realization of sexual behavior.

Effects of tadalafil on sexual behavior of male rats induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress.

Few studies have investigated psychogenic sexual dysfunction including psychogenic erectile dysfunction (pED); the effect of tadalafil on sexual behavior of male rats induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) remains unclear. The aim was to explore the influence of CUMS on sexual behavior of male rats and the effects of tadalafil on that. Adult male rats were divided into 3 groups, including the normal group without CUMS, the model group with 6weeks' CUMS, and the tadalafil group with treatment of tadalafil during CUMS. CUMS consists of water deprivation, food deprivation, stroboscopic lightning, white noise, cage tilting, weeding packing, and housing 2 unfamiliar rats. The apomorphine test and vaginal smear test were conducted with the aim to screen out male rats with good erectile function and make preparation for the sexual behavior test, respectively. At the end of the study period, the level of anhedonia and sexual function were evaluated by the sucrose preference test, sexual behavior test, and measurement of serum testosterone, dopamine, and 5-HT. Sucrose preference showed significant decrease in rats after CUMS. The intromission ratio and total intromission frequency decreased significantly, while the mount latency and ejaculation latency prolonged significantly in CUMS-induced rats when compared with normal rats. Meanwhile, the treatment of tadalafil reversed the level of anhedonia and sexual function in CUMS-induced rats. However, there were no statistical differences in the levels of serum testosterone, dopamine, and 5-HT among groups. The study constructed an animal model that can provide clinical insights into the mechanism of psychogenic sexual dysfunction and supports the application of tadalafil in pED therapy. We found that CUMS-induced rats exhibited anhedonia and poor sexual function that could be prevented by tadalafil administration. Future research needs to construct the standard of pED model and explore the mechanism of tadalafil on central nervous system. Tadalafil could prevent the changes of depression and poor sexual function in rats induced by CUMS, and the method of CUMS and the sexual behavior test should be used in the future for pED modeling.

Evaluation of the Effects of Aqueous Extract of Cnestis ferrruginea on Sexual Behaviour in Male Rats

Cnestis ferruginea, a plant of the connaraceace family, is well known to the West African population, including that of Côte d'Ivoire, through its common use in traditional medicine. The leaves of Cnestis ferruginea are used in traditional African medicine to treat numerous pathologies, including infertility. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of the aqueous extract of Cnestis ferruginea leaves on sexual parameters in male rats. The sexual parameters (latency of mating, latency of intromission, latency of ejaculation and mean copulation interval) were assessed by the classical method by administering distilled water, sildenafil citrate (reference molecule) called Viagra at the dose of 5 mg/kg and the aqueous extract of Cnestis ferruginea leaves at the dose of 100 mg/kg per day for eight days to three batches of male rats respectively. These parameters were determined over a period of thirty minutes. The results obtained show that the aqueous extract of Cnestis ferruginea leaves at a dose of 100 mg/kg of body weight significantly (p < 0.001) decreases the latency time of mating and the latency time of intromission, whereas this extract significantly (p < 0.001) increases the latency time of ejaculation and the average copulation interval. These results suggest that the aqueous extract of Cnestis ferruginea leaves has aphrodisiac potentialities which are due to the presence of sterols, flavonoids and saponosides in this extract.

A new approach for on-demand premature ejaculation

For quite some time, off-label use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is the primary choice of pharmacological treatment of lifelong premature ejaculation (PE). Unfortunately these treatments do not exert on-demand effects and have to be taken chronically. Although several new approaches have been introduced the last decade, on-demand treatment appears a big bottleneck (Olivier and Olivier, 2019). In our research on sexual behavior in male rats, we developed a model for male sexual behavior that is able to replicate the effects of SSRIs in men with lifelong premature ejaculation. After extensive weekly sexual training of large cohorts of male Wistar rats, a portion of them displays stable and high levels of sexual behavior in 30-min. tests with an estrus female, presented by very stable levels of high ejaculation frequencies and short ejaculation latencies. These fast-ejaculating rats are used for drug testing. SSRIs exert the profile as shown in men with lifelong PE, no acute effects but only sexual inhibition after chronic administration. We found that adding a very selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist Atlas987 (10-mg/kg IP) to the SSRI paroxetine (5-mg/kg IP) led to acute (on-demand) inhibition of sexual behavior in male rats, evidenced by a strong reduction in the ejaculation frequency and doubling of ejaculation latency. A similar profile was found with the reference 5-HT1A-receptor antagonist WAY100,635 (0.3 mg/kg IP) plus 5 mg/kg paroxetine. Based on these and additional findings we are in the process of developing a new approach to treat lifelong premature ejaculation with an on-demand medication: Enduro, which is a combination of an SSRI (paroxetine) with a 5-HT1A-receptor antagonist (Atlas987). Olivier JDA,Olivier B. Antidepressants and sexual dysfunction; translational aspects. Current Sexual Health Reports, 11: 156-166, 2019 No conflicts of interest

Protective Effects of Epigallocatechin Gallate for Male Sexual Dysfunction in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

Sexual dysfunction is a common problem for men with diabetes. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is known to ameliorate erectile function in aging rats. However, there has not yet been a report to evaluate its effects on diabetic male rat sexual behavior in the literature. In this study, we investigated the effects of EGCG on male sexual behavior in diabetic rats. Diabetic rats were induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of 65 mg/kg of streptozotocin. After streptozotocin injection for one week, animals were then orally treated with 40 mg/kg of EGCG or vehicle. Copulatory behavior and fasting blood glucose levels were recorded before treatment, as well as 7 and 14 days after treatment. Serum LH, testosterone, and PDE5a levels were measured by EIA assay after the last behavioral test. Data showed that diabetic rats who had diminished sexual functions demonstrated significantly increased latencies in mount, intromission, and ejaculation, as well as significant decreases in frequencies of intromission and ejaculation, compared to non-diabetic controls, indicating sexual function recovery. Lower blood glucose levels were also found in diabetic rats after EGCG treatment. Additionally, the lower LH and higher PDE5a levels in diabetic rats than controls were also noted. The findings declared that EGCG had a protective effect on male sexual behavior in diabetic rats.

Allium cameleon extract improved androgenesis and sexual behavior in male rat (Rattus norvegicus) via attenuation of oxidative damages increased sexual hormone and NO/cGMP cascade

Allium cameleon extract improved androgenesis and sexual behavior in male rat (Rattus norvegicus) via attenuation of oxidative damages increased sexual hormone and NO/cGMP cascade

Allium cameleon extract improved androgenesis and sexual behavior in male rat (Rattus norvegicus) via attenuation of oxidative damages increased sexual hormone and NO/cGMP cascade

Objective: Allium cameleon Cronquist (1981) (Liliaceae) is a bulb belonging to the garlic family, known as a medicinal plant used for its aphrodisiac activities in Cameroonian folk medicine. The present study was conducted to assess the aphrodisiac potentials of Allium cameleon aqueous extracts and investigate on the possible mechanisms by which this could be accomplished. Methods: The behavioral and biochemical tests were used to detect the aphrodisiac properties. The conceivable mechanisms of action of the aqueous extracts were investigated through determination of sexual hormones, nitric oxide, cGMP, and antioxidant activities in male rats treated with different plant extract concentrations. Results: Allium cameleon enhanced sexual excitement, improved semen quality, and the concentrations of testosterone, FSH and LH. Levels of endogenous antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, and GSH) were improved. Penile nitric oxide and cGMP levels were boosted. Significant stimulation in sexual behavior, elevated spermatic production, raised of viability, morphology, count and sperm mobility were also observed. Treated animals exhibited elevated levels of endogenous antioxidant enzymes. Conclusion: These findings suggest that Allium cameleon possess aphrodisiac properties in rats that might be involve in the attenuation of oxidative damage, but also in the increase of sexual hormones production and NO/cGMP cascade.