Testosterone replacement maintains smooth muscle content in the corpus cavernosum of orchiectomized rats

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of testosterone (T) on the maintenance of corpus cavernosum (CC) structure and apoptosis.MethodsAnimals were divided into three groups: sham operation group (n = 8) underwent sham operation; Orchiectomized (Orchiec)+ oily vehicle group (n = 8) underwent bilateral orchiectomy and received a single dose of oily vehicle by intramuscular injection (i.m.) 30 days after orchiectomy; and Orchiec + T group (n = 8) underwent bilateral orchiectomy and received a single dose of T undecanoate 100 mg/kg i.m. 30 days after the surgery. Animals were euthanized 60 days after the beginning of the experiment with an anesthetic overdose of ketamine and xylazine. Blood samples and penile tissue were collected on euthanasia. Azan's trichrome staining was used to evaluate smooth muscle, Weigert's Fucsin-Resorcin staining was used to evaluate elastic fibers and Picrosirius red staining was used to evaluate collagen. Apoptosis was evaluated using TUNEL technique.ResultsT levels decreased in Orchiec + oily vehicle when compared to sham operation and Orchiec + T groups (p < 0.001). T deprivation reduced trabecular smooth muscle content and penile diameter and T replacement maintained both parameters (p = 0.005 and p = 0.001, respectively). No difference was observed in the content of sinusoidal space (p = 0.207), elastic fibers (p = 0.849), collagen (p = 0.216) and in apoptosis (p = 0.095).ConclusionNormal testosterone levels maintain CC smooth muscle content and do not influence elastic fibers, collagen content and apoptotic index. Further studies should be performed in order to investigate the mechanisms by which androgen mediates its effects on CC structure.

Low androgen status inhibits erectile function by increasing pyroptosis in rat corpus cavernosum

“…4,5 Low androgen status can also promote apoptosis of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and endothelial cells (ECs) in the penile cavernous tissue with a concomitant increase in collagen deposition, and this, in turn, leads to penile fibrosis, NO reduction, and eventually causing ED. 6,7 Due to other etiologies of ED, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and radical prostatectomy, the apoptosis is increased in the penile cavernous tissue. 8 Some studies have reported the use of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor for suppressing apoptosis in the corpus cavernosum (CC) of diabetic rats, but it did not completely normalize the corporal apoptosis and erectile response, 9,10 suggesting that there might be some other forms of cell death that participates in ED.…”

“…6 Viruses may persist in semen and last longer in seminal fluid than in other body fluids due to the immune privilege of the testes and the contribution of the blood-testes barrier to resistance to therapeutic agents. 7,8 Semen may also have higher loads of viruses, such as Zika virus, than blood. 9,10 Therefore, the testes may act as a reservoir of virus, which may cause imprecise evaluation of viral clearance in patients.…”

“…Viruses, including Zika virus, Ebola virus, cytomegalovirus and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), have been isolated from semen and can be sexually transmitted. 6,11,12 Furthermore, some viruses (eg HIV, Zika virus, herpes simplex virus (HSV) and human papillomavirus) can adhere to or be internalized by spermatozoa, 7,13 which may pose a risk for embryonic infection and cause adverse reproductive outcomes.…”

“…Viruses, including Zika virus, Ebola virus, cytomegalovirus and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), have been isolated from semen and can be sexually transmitted. 6,11,12 Furthermore, some viruses (eg HIV, Zika virus, herpes simplex virus (HSV) and human papillomavirus) can adhere to or be internalized by spermatozoa, 7,13 which may pose a risk for embryonic infection and cause adverse reproductive outcomes.On the other hand, many viruses, such as mumps virus, HIV and HSV, 7,14 have been found to impair semen quality, and they may directly interact with spermatozoa or affect spermatogenesis by inducing local inflammation. [15][16][17] Previous studies found that SARS, 1 of the 3 epidemic coronaviruses to emerge in the past 20 years and that shows similar clinical presentations to COVID-19, 18 could cause orchitis 19 and focal testicular atrophy.…”

Aphrodisiac activity of ethanol extract and fractions of Fadogia cienkowskii Shweinf. Rubiaceae roots in albino rats

“…Androgen deficiency in castrated rats has been shown to impair penile erectile function (Alcorn et al, 1999). Conversely, testosterone replacement has been shown to maintain smooth muscle content in the corpus cavernosum of castrated rats (Halmenschlager et al, 2017) and increased the intensity of orgasms and ejaculation in men (Morales, 1996). The significant increase in testosterone concentration was accompanied by a significant decrease in luteinizing hormone (LH) concentration.…”