Effects of stress on female rat sexual function

Abstract

This study was undertaken to investigate whether prolonged stress interferes with sexual behavior and changes biochemical and physiologic mechanisms. Experiments were repeated three times with different rats in each period. In all, 63 female Sprague-Dawley rats were employed, with 21 rats in each period, and the control group was maintained at room temperature with free access to food and water. The stress group was maintained under a scheduled stress condition for 10 days, and seven rats from the group were randomly selected and exposed to the control environment for 10 days as the recovery group. Sexual behavior, hormonal values, and neuronal and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (nNOS and eNOS) expressions of vaginal tissue were analyzed and compared. Serum testosterone levels were significantly elevated in the stress and recovery groups (Po0.05). Female rats in the stress group showed reduced receptivity to their male mates (Po0.05). Western blot analysis demonstrated that nNOS and eNOS expressions were significantly lower in the stress group (Po0.05) than in the other groups. We conclude that chronic physical stress modifies the sexual behavior of female rats through a mechanism believed to involve complex changes in sex hormones, endocrine factors, and neurotransmitters.

Effect of psychological stress on the L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway and semen quality

“…Clinical observations and experimental studies have shown that stress suppresses the sexual/reproductive function (5). While the effects of psychological stress on females have been well studied (6,7), comparatively little is known about the impact of emotional stress on males.…”

Effect of Estradiol Supplementation on Induced Diabetic Changes in the Vagina of Albino Rat: An Experimental Immunohistochemical Study

“…Diabetic state and lack of insulin production also inhibit aromatase activity which is an insulindependent enzyme essential for the conversion of 4-androstenedione and testosterone to estrone and estradiol causing a decrease in estrogen biosynthesis and an increase in testosterone level (Yoon et al, 2005). The alteration of the estrogen and testosterone levels can cause an imbalance in the hypothalamic-hypophyseal-gonodal axis.…”

Restraint Stress Impairs Erectile Responses in Rats

“…Furthermore, various forms of stress models such as restraint or mental are known to cause organic responses. Several studies have examined the relationship between stress and sexual behavior in both male and female rats (Sato et al 1996;Bodie et al 2003;Yoon et al 2005). In these studies it has been reported that sexual dysfunction occurs due to complex changes of serum sex hormones, catecholamines and NOS subtype expressions in the vaginal tissues and at the cerebral area (Sato et al 1996;Yoon et al 2005).…”

“…Several studies have examined the relationship between stress and sexual behavior in both male and female rats (Sato et al 1996;Bodie et al 2003;Yoon et al 2005). In these studies it has been reported that sexual dysfunction occurs due to complex changes of serum sex hormones, catecholamines and NOS subtype expressions in the vaginal tissues and at the cerebral area (Sato et al 1996;Yoon et al 2005). However, in our literature review we did not find any published study investigating the changes of penile erection and cavernosal tissues due to physical stress.…”

“…The relationship between stress and sexual behavior in both male and female rats using immobilization, restraint models, has been shown in some studies (Sato et al 1996;Yoon et al 2005). The link of chronic stress to sexual function disorders was demonstrated in experimental behavior studies (Almeida et al 2000).…”