Sodium nitroprusside impairs sexual competence of male rats

Abstract

<jats:p> Recently, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a potent nitric oxide (NO) donor and a clinically used antihypertensive, has been introduced as a penile self-injection medical therapy for erectile dysfunction. However, it is known that many antihypertensives impairs sexual competence; NO regulates sexual competence and NO is cytostatic and cytotoxic for human sperm. Thus, a possibility exists that SNP may impair male reproductive competence. Testing this aspect is the aim of this study. This was assessed in male rats (using three I.P. doses: 60, 30 or 20 g/kg) using noncompetitive copulation tests. The results show that the highest dose of SNP was toxic and caused rapid mortality of treated rats (within 30 min). The mid and low doses of SNP reversibly impaired several parameters of sexual competence in a dose-related fashion: sexual arousability, libido and sexual vigour. Some parameters of sexual behaviour remained unaltered: sexual motivation and intromission ratio, whilst one parameter was improved: sexual performance. In complete contrast, the ejaculatory competence and fertility remained unchanged. The SNP-induced impairments in sexual competence may be attributable to lowered testosterone levels and sedation mediated via its specific action and/or side effect. Further, this impairment of sexual function was not due to general toxicity, inhibition of penile sensitivity, penile erection or analgesic activity. It is concluded that SNP impairs male sexual competence, at least, in rats although it promotes penile erection. </jats:p>

Effects of zinc supplementation on sexual behavior of male rats

“…Supplementation with 459 μmol/day of zinc for three months, in marginally zinc deficient healthy elderly men, has been shown to increase the levels of serum T from 8.3 to 16 ng/dl. [25] Laboratory experiments indicate that the nitric oxide erectile pathway is T dependent. [26] Many studies using animal models have confirmed that T is important in modulating the central and peripheral regulation of erectile dysfunction.…”

“…This may promote greater tactile stimulation of the penis due to increased contact with vagina. [25]…”

Nitric Oxide Synthase in Male Urological and Andrologic Functions

“…Chu et al further reported that Impaza, a stimulator of eNOS, could raise the sexual incentive motivation rates of male rats through the NO-guanylyl cyclase pathway [34], and nNOS was also considered to affect the male sexual behavior by activating the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) [35]. However, adverse result was reported by other researchers, and the conclusion was still controversial [36].…”

Effect of Yohimbine on Clomipramine-Induced Sexual Dysfunction in Male Rats

“…Female rats were prepared for sexual receptivity as described earlier. Male rat sexual behavior was studied as explained elsewhere [23]. The drugs were administered orally to male rats and the animals were observed for their sexual behavior.…”