Omega 3 fatty acid improves sexual and erectile function in BPF-treated rats by upregulating NO/cGMP signaling and steroidogenic enzymes activities

Abstract

Bisphenol F (BPF) is an environmental pollutant that has been implicated in sexual dysfunction. Omega 3 fatty acid (O3FA), on the other hand, is an antioxidant with the ability to improve fertility indices. However, no study has explored the possible ameliorative effect of O3FA on BPF-induced sexual dysfunction. Thus, the effect of BPF and/or O3FA on male sexual performance was investigated. Male Wistar rats were randomized into 6 groups, corn oil-treated, O3FA low and high dose (100 and 300 mg/kg), BPF-treated, BPF + O3FA low and BPF + O3FA high dose. BPF significantly impaired male sexual competence, evidenced by a reduction in motivation to mate, prolonged mount, intromission and ejaculation latency, and post-ejaculatory index. Furthermore, a reduction in mount, intromission, and ejaculation frequency were observed. Also, BPF caused a decrease in gonadotropin releasing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, nitric oxide (NO) cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD), 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD), dopamine, and acetylcholine esterase. Furthermore, it was accompanied by a significant increase in prolactin and estrogen and poor pregnancy outcomes. These observed BPF-led alterations were abolished by O3FA administration. This study showed that O3FA ameliorates BPF-induced sexual dysfunction by upregulating NO/cGMP signaling and steroidogenic enzymes activities.

Naringin from sweet orange peel improves testicular function in high fat diet-induced diabetic rats by modulating xanthine oxidase/uric acid signaling and maintaining redox balance

“…LH stimulates the testis to produce testosterone (steroidogenesis), while FSH stimulates Sertoli cells to produce sperm (spermatogenesis). Also, the testosterone produced from the testis assists in spermatogenesis [ 31 ]. The synthesized testosterone inhibits the pituitary gland's and hypothalamus's activities to maintain its optimal circulatory level [ 24 ].…”

Impact of stress on male fertility: role of gonadotropin inhibitory hormone

“…GnIH also acts by downregulating mRNA levels of luteinizing hormone beta-subunit (LHβ) and inhibiting its release from the anterior pituitary gland ( 16 , 80 ). GnIH can also inhibit LH synthesis via its stimulatory effect on prolactin secretion ( 81 ), which is a potent inhibitor of LH secretion ( 82 ). Its action on follicle-stimulating hormone beta-subunit (FSHβ) is not clear since its studies in quail have shown no effect on mRNA levels or FSH release.…”