Rat Sexual Behavior Research Articles

Combination of low doses of mirtazapine plus venlafaxine produces antidepressant-like effects in rats, without affecting male or female sexual behavior.

Pharmacological treatments for depression are not always effective and produce unwanted side effects. Male and female sexual dysfunction is one of these side effects, which can lead to treatment withdrawal. Combination of two antidepressants with different mechanisms of action, like mirtazapine (MTZ) and venlafaxine (VLF) have been shown to be effective for treatment-resistant depression in humans. Combination of low doses of these drugs may still exert antidepressant-like effects without altering sexual behavior. To investigate the potential antidepressant-like effect of the chronic administration of low doses of MTZ plus VLF combined, as well as its impact on male and female sexual behavior in rats. The antidepressant-like effect of a 14-day treatment with combinations of MTZ plus VLF (0/0, 2.5/3.75 or 5/7.5mg/kg) was assessed in young adult male and female rats in the forced swim test (FST). The 5/7.5mg/kg MTZ/VLF combination was also tested in the chronic mild stress (CMS) test, in both males and females treated for 21days. The sexual effects of this last treatment were assessed in sexually experienced males and in gonadally-intact females during proestrus. The 5/7.5mg/kg MTZ/VLF combination produced an antidepressant-like effect in the FST and reversed the CMS-induced anhedonia in both male and female rats. This combination did not alter male sexual behavior, female proceptive and receptive behaviors or the regularity of the estrous cycle. The combination of low doses of MTZ and VLF might be a promising therapeutic alternative to treat depression without affecting the sexual response.

EFFICACY OF Nigella sativa OIL TO RELIEVE EFFECTS OF THE LEAD MONOXIDE TOXICITY ON TESTICULAR EFFICIENCY AND SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR DISORDERS IN ALBINO RATS

The prevalence of testicular toxicity induced via contamination with heavy metals is increasing worldwide, and a close connection between testicular toxicity and lead has recently been identified. The present study demonstrated the possible therapeutic and protection properties of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) against dangerous testicular toxicity and sexual behaviour disorders in rat models induced by lead monoxide (PbO) food poisoning. A total of 24 male rats were used and divided into four groups, consisting of Group 1: Control (1 mL of distilled water); Group 2: PbO (80 mg/kg); Group 3: NSO (0.5 mL/rat); and Group 4: (NSO+PbO) 0.5 mL/rat of NSO, followed by PbO (80 mg/kg/day) respectively for 60 days. The testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity (17β-HSD), sperm parameters, and sexual behaviour (copulation behaviour test) were measured. The results showed that sex hormone levels were significantly decreased (p<0.05) in rats exposed to PbO, while the levels of these hormones were significantly higher in rats exposed to NSO and NSO+PbO. The sperm parameters (numbers, concentrations, motilities, and abnormality) were lower in rats exposed to PbO compared to those in the control, NSO, and NSO+PbO groups that showed significant increases. Sperm abnormality and 17β-HSD activity showed a significant increase at p<0.05 in the group exposed to the PbO compared to those of the control, NSO, and NSO+PbO groups. The results also significantly suppressed sexual behaviour in rats exposed to PbO compared to those in the control, NSO, and NSO+PbO groups, rats were administered NSO+PbO showed improvement in sexual behaviour parameters compared to PbO groups. PbO toxicity was obvious in the reproductive tract through severe histopathological changes. The impact of lead on tissues was partially mitigated by NSO. The study showed protective effects of N. sativa oil against changes in sex hormones, sperm characteristics, and sexual behaviour in male rats exposed to lead monoxide-induced testicular toxicity.

Grapefruit peel extract mitigates paroxetine-induced erectile dysfunction in rats through stimulation of erectile response, antioxidant status, and inhibition of key enzymes related with impaired penile erection.

Despite the antidepressant potency of paroxetine, its side effect of erectile dysfunction is burdensome. Grapefruit peels (GFPs) are underutilized cultivar wastes with wide range of therapeutic potentials which have been attributed to their antioxidant behavior and phenolic contents' abilities to effectively inhibit enzymatic activities and manage endothelial dysfunction in cardiovascular disorders. This study aims to investigate the erectogenic potentials of GFP extract in a rat model of paroxetine-induced ED. Experimental rats were sectioned into five groups: [1: control; 2: paroxetine (10mg/kg); 3: paroxetine + sildenafil (5mg/kg); 4: paroxetine + GFP (50 mg/kg); 5: paroxetine + GFP (100 mg/kg)] and treated for 28 days. Sexual behavior of rats was assessed and effect of GFP on ecto-5' nucleotidases, phosphodiesterase-5, and adenosine deaminase (ADA) activities was determined in rats' penile tissues. The levels of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide (NO) as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities were also determined. HPLC-DAD analysis showed the presence of naringin, rutin, caffeic acid, quercitrin, quercetin, and kaempferol glycoside. Oral administration of paroxetine reduced erectile response as revealed by their low intromission and mounting numbers as well as high intromission and mounting latencies. Paroxetine caused a significant elevation of ADA and phosphodiesterase-5 activities and malondialdehyde levels with drastic reduction in levels of NO, SOD, and catalase activities in rats' penile tissues. However, GFP extract reversed PDE-5, ADA, and antioxidant activities to normal levels, raised the concentration of NO. These results suggest the erectogenic effects and protective potentials of GFP extract against paroxetine-induced erectile dysfunction. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Grapefruit peels are an environmental menace in many countries and this study showed that the peels can be used in the prevention / management of erectile dysfunction. The therapeutic potentials of the peels are due to the presence of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and phenolic acids. Therefore, exploring the erectogenic potentials of the peels will translate to conversion of the wastes to therapeutic products.

Influence of lemon (Citrus limon) and lime (Citrus aurantifolia) juices on the erectogenic properties of sildenafil in rats with L-NAME-induced erectile dysfunction.

The use of lemon (Citrus limon) and lime (Citrus aurantifolia) juices for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) is fast becoming common practice, even though there is dearth of information on the effect of such functional food and drug combination in the management of ED. This study evaluated the effect of lemon and lime juices on the erectogenic properties of sildenafil. ED was induced with L-NAME (40mg/kg body weight). The rats were divided into 11 groups (n=6) and given various doses of the test samples. Immediately after the sexual behavior studies, the animals were sacrificed and the penile and brain tissues were isolated. The results revealed that lime and lemon juices improved sexual behavior in rats by improving NO production and inhibiting the activities of PDE-5, arginase, ACE, MAO, ATPdase, AMPdase, and activated antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore, lime at 1.0ml/kg significantly improved the therapeutic properties of sildenafil. While, lemon (0.5 and 1.0ml/kg) and lime (0.5ml/kg) did not show any synergistic effect. This study revealed that lime and lemon juices could improve erectile function and combining lime juice with sildenafil could be very effective in the management of ED. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The therapeutic management of erectile dysfunction has involved maximizing NO production through the modulation of macromolecules such as phosphodiesterase-5 and arginase with the use of drugs such as sildenafil. Combining such drugs with functional foods such as lime and lemon juices is becoming common practice. However, there is dearth of report on the effect of lime and lemon juices on the erectogenic potentials of sildenafil. The present study shows that combining 1ml/kg lime juice (got from 2 lime fruits) with sildenafil will boost the erectogenic properties of the drug. While combining lime (0.5ml/kg) and lemon (0.5 and 1.0ml/kg) juices with the drug did not have any synergistic effect.

Neuronal activation of the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area in female and male rats during copulation and its sex differences

The medial preoptic area, which plays an essential role in the control of sexual behavior in rats, contains a sexually dimorphic nucleus that consists of neurons expressing calbindin-D28 K (Calb) that is referred to as the CALB-SDN. The CALB-SDN is larger and contains more Calb neurons in males than in females. The physiological functions of the CALB-SDN are not fully understood; however, CALB-SDN neurons are activated during sexual behavior in males, suggesting that the male CALB-SDN is involved in regulation of sexual behavior. However, no information exists about the physiological functions of the female CALB-SDN. In the present study, we performed an immunohistochemical analysis of c-Fos, a neuronal activity marker, in the CALB-SDN of female and male rats that had copulated with conspecifics of the opposite sex to determine whether neurons of the female CALB-SDN are activated during copulation and whether the neuronal activity of the CALB-SDN differs between sexes. The numbers of c-Fos-immunoreactive cells with or without Calb-immunoreactivity (c-Fos+/Calb+ and c-Fos+/Calb− cells) were greater in the CALB-SDN of rats that had copulated than in rats that had not copulated in each sex. Although the number of Calb+ cells in the CALB-SDN was smaller in females than in males, the increase in the number of c-Fos+/Calb+ cells in the female CALB-SDN with copulation was comparable to that in the male CALB-SDN with copulation. The increase in the number of c-Fos+/Calb− cells in the CALB-SDN with copulation was more prominent in males than in females. These results suggest that CALB-SDN neurons are activated during copulation in both sexes. The patterns of neuronal activation in the CALB-SDN during copulation may differ between sexes.

The effect of septal lesion on sexual behavior, sperm count and testicular activity in Young male albino rats

The effect of septal lesion on sexual behavior, sperm count and testicular activity in Young male albino rats - IJCAP- Print ISSN No: - 2394-2118 Online ISSN No:- 2394-2126 Article DOI No:- 10.18231/2394-2126.2018.0015, Indian Journal of Clinical Anatomy and Physiology-Indian J Clin Anat Physiol

62 Altering sexual behavior of rats through neonatal treatment with an aromatase inhibitor, estrogen receptor antagonist and testosterone

Abstract The mammalian brain is sexually dimorphic until becoming imprinted before birth or during neonatal development. The naïve mammalian brain of neonates is programmed to become feminine. In male neonates, testosterone crosses the blood brain barrier where it is converted to estrogen by aromatase. Estrogen in the brain imprints male sexual behavior. In female neonates, estrogen binds to alpha fetoprotein which prohibits estrogen from entering the brain. The present study was undertaken to determine if testosterone, an estrogen receptor antagonist (ICI 182,780) or aromatase inhibitor (Letrozole) would alter sexual behavior in neonatal rats. In this study, the entire litter of neonatal rat pups received a sc injection (100µl) of one of the following four treatments: corn oil (CO), testosterone propionate 100 µg (TP), ICI 182,780 100 µg (ICI), or Letorozole 100 µg (LET) on days 1 and 3 after birth. At approximately 60-70 days of age, treated rats were placed in cages with nontreated rats of the opposite sex. Animals were euthanized after 20 days. Body, testis, epididymal, and accessory gland weights were recorded for males as well as the number of females they bred and litter size. Body weight, pregnancy status, and litter size (if pregnant) were recorded for treated females. While there was a difference (P< 0.001) in body weight between males and females (average 372 g vs 279 g respectively), there was no statistical differences in body, testis, epididymal, or accessory gland weight between male treatment groups. While number of females pregnant or litter size was not different for CO, TP, or ICI, LET males established no pregnancies. Body weight, number pregnant and litter size were not different between female CO, ICI, or LET treatments. However, TP treated females established no pregnancies. Sexual mating behavior is altered by neonatal exposure to an aromatase inhibitor or testosterone in rats.

Orlistat reverses intratesticular lactate transport decline and infertility in male obese rats.

Obesity and its accompanying complications predispose to abnormal testicular glucose metabolism, penile erectile dysfunction and subfertility. This study examined the potentials of orlistat in attenuating erectile dysfunction and fertility decline in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in male rats. Eighteen adult male Sprague-Dawley rats whose weights were between 250 and 300 g were divided into three groups (n = 6/group) namely: normal control (NC), HFD and HFD + orlistat (10 mg/kg body weight/day co-administered for 12 weeks) (HFD+O). During the 11th and 12th week, mating behaviour and fertility parameters were evaluated, and parameters of glucose metabolism were assessed at the end of the 12th week. Orlistat increased testicular mRNA levels of glucose transporters (Glut1 and Glut3), monocarboxylate transporters (Mct2 and Mct4) and lactate dehydrogenase type C (Ldhc), decreased intratesticular lactate and glucose levels, and LDH activity in obese rats. Furthermore, orlistat increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), but decreased malondialdehyde level in the penis of obese rats. Similarly, orlistat improved penile cGMP level, sexual behaviour and fertility outcome in obese rats. Penile cGMP level correlated positively with total mounts and intromissions but correlated negatively with mount/intromission ratio. Orlistat improves fertility potential in obese state by targeting testicular lactate metabolism, penile oxidative stress and sexual behaviour in rats. Therefore, orlistat shows a promising protective effect and may preserve the fertility potential of obese men.

Aphrodisiac properties of aqueous roots extract of Pycnocoma macrophylla Benth (Euphorbiaceae) in male rats

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a real health problem for men worldwide. This work investigated the effects of aqueous roots extract of Pycnocoma macrophylla (Euphorbiaceae) on sexual behavior in rats. Twentyfive adults’ rats divided into five groups were treated orally for fourteen days with distilled water (5 ml/kg, control), sildenafil citrate (5 mg/kg) and the aqueous extract of P. macrophylla (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w) respectively. Sexual behavior parameters such as mount latency (ML), intromission latency (IL), ejaculation latency (EL), post-ejaculatory intervals (PEI), mount frequency (MF), intromission frequency (IF), ejaculation frequency (EF) and mean interval of copulation (MIC) were evaluated in treated animals mated with receptive female at days 1, 7 and 14 of treatment. At day 14, serum testosterone was measured. The results indicated that, the aqueous extract of P. macrophylla and especially the dose of 200 mg/kg significantly (p<0.01-0.001) decreased mount and intromission latencies as well as the post-ejaculatory interval on day 14 compared to the control and initial values (day1) respectively while this extract significantly (p<0.01-0.001) increased the frequencies of mounts intromissions and ejaculations, and the mean intervals of copulation. Moreover, serum testosterone significantly (p<0.05) increased in rats treated with P. macrophylla (200 mg/kg b.w) when compared to the control. P. macrophylla possess pro-sexual and aphrodisiac effects in relation with the androgenic potential of particular bioactive components present in the aqueous root extract of plant. These outcomes could be applied for the management of sexual debilities in patients.

Retraction Note: Effects of chronic treatment with the eNOS stimulator Impaza on penis length and sexual behaviors in rats with a high baseline of sexual activity.

Editor's Note: This article has been retracted. Please see the retraction notice for more detail: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41443-020-0321-x.

NFLUENCE OF THE PRODUCT AFOBAZOLE ON SEXUAL BEHAVIOR AND FERTILITY OF RATS-FEMALES

In experiments on female rats, the effect of afobazole at doses of 5 mg/kg (group 1) and 100 mg/kg (group 2) on sexual behavior and fertility was studied. It was found that in the structure of sexual behavior in rats of females treated with afobazole with a 2-week course, the duration of sexual activity and the number of lordoses decreased statistically insignificantly and dose-dependently (by 12,5 and 37,5 %, respectively), with a simultaneous tendency to increase the number emotional approaches. In addition, according to the results of fertility studies in female rats, an increase in the pregnancy index by 14,6 % (p > 0,05) was noted in both study groups, and in pregnant women, an increase in fertility, respectively, by 33,7 % (p < 0,05) and 20,4 % (p < 0,05) and a dose-dependent decrease in the total (pre- and post-implantation) fetal death by 26,4 % (p > 0,05) and 54,5 % (p < 0,05). Based on the studies, it was concluded that afobazole had a positive effect on 2-weekly administration to rats of females at doses of 5 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg on fertility processes, with a slight tendency of its deprimative effect on sexual activity.

Effectiveness of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Fruit Extract on the Sexual Function in Rats

Background: Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) has been mentioned to be of value in the management of male sexual disorders. This study investigated the effects of pomegranate fruit extract on healthy male rats as the animal model. Materials and methods: 50 adult male and female Albino rats of Wistar strain weighing 250-350 g and 200-250 g respectively were used in this study. The pomegranate extract was administered (500, 1000 and 1500 mg/kg) to different groups of male rats on a once-daily regime throughout the experiment period. The general mating behaviour, libido, potency and testosterone concentration were studied and compared with sildenafil citrate. Results: Administration of the pomegranate extract orally at the dose of 1500 mg/kg produced significant augment of sexual activity in male rats. The mounting frequency, intromission frequency, mounting latency, intromission latency, ejaculation latency and post ejaculation interval did not vary significantly. However, the mounting frequency varied significantly between control, pomegranate crude extracts and sildenafil. In addition, the potency of the extracts did not vary significantly between control, pomegranate crude extracts and sildenafil. The testosterone levels varied significantly between pomegranate, sildenafil and control. Conclusion: Pomegranate extracts have the potential of increasing sexual behaviour in rats. There is need for mass production of pomegranate extracts for use in enhancing sexual behaviour

Aphrodisiac properties of hydro-alcoholic extract ofCassia auriculataflower in male rats

Cassia auriculata is a commonly found plant in Asia, widely used in Ayurveda and Siddha medicines as a tonic, astringent and in general for diabetes. Herbal tea made from this plant has been marketed as a product for restoring sexual vitality, to increase sperm count and counteract ejaculatory disorders. However, the scientific evidences are scarce to prove this concept. Here, we examined the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract obtained from C.auriculata flower upon the expression of male Wistar albino rat's sexual behaviour. Sildenafil was used as a positive control. Penile erection index (PEI), mount latency (ML), intromission latency (IL), ejaculation latency (EL), mounting frequency (MF), intromission frequency (IF), ejaculation frequency (EF) and post-ejaculatory interval (PEjI) were recorded for days 0, 7, 14 and 28 and also after the withdrawal of the treatment on days 7 and 15. Significant reduction in ML, IL and PEjI, and increment in EL, PEI, MF, IF and EF were observed (p<0.05, <0.01). However, neither extract nor sildenafil sustains the effect after withdrawal of the treatment. The present finding demonstrates the aphrodisiac potential of hydro-alcoholic extract of C.auriculata flower in vivo and lends support to the traditional utilisation as a sexual stimulating agent.

IMPACT OF RAPID EYE MOVEMENT SLEEP DEPRIVATION ON HYPOTHALAMIC-PITUITARYTESTICULAR AXIS IN WISTAR ALBINO RATS

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to study the impact of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep deprivation (SD) on the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular (HPT) axis in the Wistar albino rats.Methods: Adult male Wistar albino rats weighing about 200 g were segregated into Group I–IV of control, 48 h SD, 72 h SD, and 96 h SD, respectively, in a custom-made SD tank. After SD procedure, the sexual behavior of rats was assessed, after which blood was collected from the animals for the estimation of HPT and stress hormones and then the testicles were used for histological studies.Results: SD has increased (p&lt;0.05) the mounting latency and intromission latency and decreased (p&lt;0.05) the mounting frequency and intromission frequency compared with control group. A significant increase (p&lt;0.05) in corticosterone, follicle stimulating hormone levels and a significant decrease (p&lt;0.05) in gonadotropin-releasing hormone, luteinizing hormone and testosterone levels were observed in all the SD groups when compared with control group. SD-induced testis architecture displayed sperm retention, sperm reduction, and shape alteration when compared to the control group. Furthermore, apoptotic bodies were observed in the testis of 72 h and 96 h of sleep-deprived animals.Conclusion: Outcome of the project reveals that out of 48 h, 72 h, and 96 h of SD, 96 h of SD has a great impact on sexual behavior, HPT hormones, and testicular morphology.

Preclinical aphrodisiac investigation of ethanol extract of Flueggea leucopyrus Willd. leaves

Sexual dysfunction is a widely found disorder worldwide now a day because of busy lifestyle and stress. Management of disease is somewhat difficult because of cost and shortage of effective treatment. In the present paper authors have investigated effect of ethanolic extract of Flueggea leucopyrus Willd. leaves as aphrodisiac potential on albino rats. The dried leaves of plant were extracted by cold maceration method using ethanol. It was investigated for in vivo aphrodisiac activity. Plant extract was administered at doses 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight for 45 days. The effect of extract on general mating behavior, potency test, morphological studies, organ weight and sperm motility were tested. The results were compared with standard reference sildenafil citrate. The acute toxicity of the drug extract was also checked. On oral administration of ethanol extract 200 and 400 mg/kg doses on 15th, 30th and 45th day of treatment in all treated groups significantly increased intromission latency, mounting frequency, ejaculatory latency and significantly decreased intromission latency, mounting latency, inter intromission interval and post ejaculatory interval. Test for potency showed significant increase in long flips, quick flips and erections. In all experimental animals morphological study showed significant increase in main and accessory reproductive organs weight and sperm motility. As compared to the control the prolonged treatments for all treated groups were highly effective. This showed that aphrodisiac activity has been shown by ethanol extract but it is less than the standard. The present study showed that ethanol extract of Flueggea leucopyrus Willd. leaf increase sexual behavior in rats. Thus it supports the claim for this drug as an aphrodisiac.

Modulation of Puberty Terms and Sexual Behavior of Rats after Prenatal Exposure to Methyldopa, Phenibut, and Stress

Prenatal effects of methyldopa, an inhibitor of noradrenaline synthesis (400 mg/kg/day), GABA agonist phenibut (100 mg/kg/day), or immobilization stress against the background of phenibut action on the timing of puberty and sexual behavior of male and female rats were investigated. The drugs were administered orally to pregnant animals during the last week of pregnancy (from the 15th to the 21st day). In experiments with prenatal stress, pregnant animals were immobilized daily for one hour during the same period of pregnancy. Some of them received phenibut 30 minutes prior to stressing. Application of phenibut to nonstressed pregnant animals led to accelerated maturation, and the use of methyldopa or phenibut resulted in disorders of sexual behavior of male and female offspring. However, phenibut weakened demasculinizing and feminizing effects of prenatal stress on male sexual behavior, as evidenced by the normalization of the latent periods of mountings and intromissions, their number, and a decrease in the number of lordosis reactions. Phenibut partially restored timing of puberty in those animals. The results obtained indicate the involvement of noradrenergic and GABA-ergic mechanisms in the prenatal programming of sexual behavior of animals, as well as the possibility of preventing its disorders in adult prenatally stressed rats by the activation of GABA-ergic receptors. Based on the results of these and previous studies, the concept of dualistic effects of hormonal and pharmacological neurotropic agents that are used during pregnancy has been proposed, according to which these agents may have either harmful or protective effect on the reproductive health and the ability of the offspring to respond to stressor factors.

Effect of Aqueous Extract of &lt;i&gt;Dendropanax morbifera&lt;/i&gt; Leaf on Sexual Behavior in Male Rats

Sexual function in an important of the quality of life and subjective well-being in humans. Successful treatment of sexual dysfunction may improve not only sexual relationships, but also overall quality of life. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of Dendropanax morbifera (DM) Lev. leaf extracts on sexual behavior and testosterone levels in male rats. Three different doses of DM (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day) were administered orally for 28 days. On day 28 (final day of the sample treatment period) and day 42 (after 2 weeks of sample withdrawal period following 28 days of sample treatment), serum testosterone levels and sexual behavior of rats were determined, including mount frequency (MF), intromission frequency, mount latency (ML, the time from introduction of the female to the male to the first mount), intromission latency (IL), and post-ejaculatory interval (PEI). ML significantly reduced, whereas MF increased in the DM group. The DM group also had a reduced PEI. The oral administration of DM significantly increased serum testosterone levels compared with those in the control group. The results of this study demonstrate that an aqueous extract of DM represents a useful natural resource for the management of sexual function.

Changes in Sexual Behavior of Orchidectomized Rats under Influence of Allotransplantation of Testicular Interstitial Cell Suspension

Transplantation of hormone-producing cells is an experimental endocrine dysfunction treatment. The present study investigated the effects of orchidectomy (OE) and transplantation of interstitial cell suspension (ICS) on rat sexual behavior. Adult experimental animals were divided into two populations. One of these populations had sexual experience before the experiment and the other did not. Each population was divided into three groups: control group and two orchidectomized groups. One of the orchidectomized groups was treated with ICS, and the other was treated with the vehicle. The changes in the sexual behavior were investigated on the following parameters: mount latency (ML), intromission latency (IL), ejaculation latency (EL), mount frequency (MF), intromission frequency (IF), copulatory efficacy (CE), and IF/EL ratio. The investigation of these changes lasted 4 weeks after ICS transplantation. The parameters of sexual behavior reflected a decrease in sexual function after OE at the beginning of the observation, especially for the animals that did not have a sexual experience. However, it was shown that sexual activity increased in the following 4 weeks. We have indicated that the loss of gonads attenuated the capacity to acquire sexual experience; nonetheless, it did not mean that the animals completely lost this capacity. Transplantation of ICS facilitated the maintenance of male sexual behavior after OE, fractionally enlarged the size of regressed seminal vesicles of the animals, and increased the free testosterone (T) level. These findings suggest the ICS can be considered as a temporal source of androgens, which can facilitate a restoration of sexual activity.

The Root Aqueous Extract of Entada africana Guill. et Perr. (Mimosaceae) Inhibits Implant Growth, Alleviates Dysmenorrhea, and Restores Ovarian Dynamic in a Rat Model of Endometriosis.

Entada africana (Mimosaceae) was reported to have analgesic and antioxidant properties. The present study is aimed at investigating the effects of the root aqueous extract of Entada africana (EA) on an experimental model of endometriosis. The study was performed in rats orally treated with EA at doses of 127.5, 255, and 510 mg/kg. Microgynon® 30 served as the reference substance. Estradiol valerate and oxytocin were used to induce dysmenorrhea. Endometrial implant levels of catalase and malondialdehyde (MDA) allowed estimating tissue oxidative status. Ovarian dynamic and rat sexual behavior were assessed through histological analysis of ovaries, uterus, and vagina. EA decreased dysmenorrhea at tested doses following a 7-day treatment (p < 0.001). Endometrial implant volume decreased following the three treatment periods (p < 0.05). Catalase activity (p < 0.001) and MDA level (p < 0.01) increased only following a 3-day treatment. EA also increased antral follicles, reduced luteinized unruptured follicle number (p < 0.001), and induced animals to be in the estrus phase. In conclusion, EA prevented the progress of endometriosis, reduced dysmenorrhea, promoted ovarian follicle growth, prevented anovulation, and stimulated the special period of rat sexual desire. These results suggest that Entada africana could be a promising alternative option for the treatment of endometriosis.

Castration alters the number and structure of dendritic spines in the male posterodorsal medial amygdala.

The posterodorsal medial amygdala (MePD) is responsive to androgens and participates in the integration of olfactory/vomeronasal stimuli for the display of sexual behavior in rats. Adult gonadectomy (GDX) affects the MePD structural integrity at the same time that impairs male mating behavior. At the cellular level, dendritic spines modulate excitatory synaptic transmission, strength, and plasticity. Here, we describe the effect of GDX on the number and shape of dendritic spines in the right and left MePD using confocal microscopy and 3D image reconstruction. Age-matched adult rats were intact (n=6), submitted to a sham procedure (n=4) or castrated and studied 90days after GDX (n=5). The MePD neurons have a density of 1.1 spines/dendritic μm composed of thin, mushroom-like, stubby/wide, and few ramified or atypical spines. Irrespective of brain hemisphere, GDX decreased the dendritic spine density in the MePD, but induced different effects on each spine type. That is, compared to control groups, GDX reduced (i) the number (up to 50%) of thin, mushroom-like, and ramified spines, and (ii) the size and the neck length of thin spines as well as the head diameter of ramified spines. Besides, GDX increased the number of stubby/wide and atypical spines (up to 140% and 400%, respectively). These data show that GDX promotes a cellular and synaptic reorganization in a spine-specific manner in the MePD. By altering the number and shape of these connectional elements, GDX can affect the neural transmission and hinder the function of integrated brain circuitries in the male brain.