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Eurycoma longifolia JACK and orientation activities in sexually experienced male rats

Ang HH, Sim MK

Biol Pharm Bull, 1998 Feb;21(2):153-5.
PMID: 9514610 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.21.153

The effects of Eurycoma longifolia JACK were studied on the orientation activities of sexually experienced male rats towards receptive females (mounting, licking, anogenital sniffing), environment (exploration, raring, climbing), themselves (genital grooming, non-genital grooming) and mobility (unrestricted, restricted) after dosing them with 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight twice daily for 10 d prior to the test. The results showed that E. longifolia JACK modified the orientation activities of the treated male rats in that they significantly displayed more frequent and vigorous mounting, licking and anogenital sniffing towards the receptive females, and it further intensified self orientation as indicated by the increased grooming of the genitals compared to the controls (p<0.05). In addition, rats treated with 800 mg/kg of methanol, water and butanol extracts of E. longifolia JACK continued to show confinement to a particular area of the cage (around the female), thus showing restriction in movement as compared to the controls (p<0.05). However, the treated males possessed a lack of interest in the external environment as indicated by a reduction in exploration, raring and climbing on the cage wall. Hence, the present study further supports the folk use of E. longifolia JACK as an aphrodisiac.

Matched MeSH terms: Sexual Behavior, Animal/drug effects*
Eurycoma longifolia increases sexual motivation in sexually naive male rats

Ang HH, Sim MK

Arch Pharm Res, 1998 Dec;21(6):779-81.
PMID: 9868556 DOI: 10.1007/BF02976776

The aim of this study is to provide evidence on the aphrodisiac property of Eurycoma longifolia Jack. An electric grid was used as an obstruction in the electrical copulation cage in order to determine how much an aversive stimulus the sexually naive male rat for both the treated with E. longifolia Jack and control groups were willing to overcome to reach the estrous receptive female in the goal cage. The intensity of the grid current was maintained at 0.12 mA and this was the intensity in which the male rats in the control group failed to crossover to reach the goal cage. Results showed that E. longifolia Jack continued to enhance and also maintain a high level of both the total number of successful crossovers, mountings, intromissions and ejaculations during the 9-12th week observation period. In conclusion, these results further enhanced and strengthened the aphrodisiac property of E. longifolia Jack.

Matched MeSH terms: Sexual Behavior, Animal/drug effects*
Early-life exposure to Tris(1,3-dichloroisopropyl) phosphate induces dose-dependent suppression of sexual behavior in male rats

Kamishima M, Hattori T, Suzuki G, Matsukami H, Komine C, Horii Y, et al.

J Appl Toxicol, 2018 05;38(5):649-655.
PMID: 29271492 DOI: 10.1002/jat.3569

Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals may adversely affect animals, particularly during development. Tris(1,3-dichloroisopropyl) phosphate (TDCIPP) is an organophosphate with anti-androgen function in vitro that is present in indoor dust at relatively high concentrations. In male rats, androgens are necessary for the development of reproductive organs, as well as the endocrine and central nervous systems. However, we currently do not know the exact effects of TDCIPP exposure through suckling on subsequent reproductive behavior in males. Here, we show that TDCIPP exposure (25-250 mg kg-1 via oral administration over 28 consecutive days post-birth) suppressed male sexual behavior and reduced testes size. These changes were dose-dependent and appeared first in adults rather than in juveniles. These results demonstrate that TDCIPP exposure led to normal body growth and appearance in juveniles, but disrupted the endocrine system and physiology in adults. Therefore, assays should be performed using adult animals to ensure accuracy, and to confirm the influence of chemical substances given during early mammalian life.

Matched MeSH terms: Sexual Behavior, Animal/drug effects*
Zingerone improves mating performance of Zeugodacus tau (Diptera: Tephritidae) through enhancement of male courtship activity and sexual signaling

Shamshir RA, Wee SL

J Insect Physiol, 2019 09 26;119:103949.
PMID: 31563620 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2019.103949

Certain male fruit flies from the genera Bactrocera and Zeugodacus (Diptera: Tephritidae) actively forage for floral semiochemicals produced by some endemic Bulbophyllum orchids found in tropical and subtropical forests. These floral semiochemicals are largely classified as either phenylbutanoids (e.g., raspberry ketone (RK)) or phenylpropanoids (e.g., methyl eugenol (ME)). Zingerone (ZN) is a phenylbutanoid recently found that structurally resembles ME and RK, both of which are phytochemicals commonly used as male attractants in fruit fly control programmes. It was previously shown that feeding on ME and RK increased the mating success of certain tephritid fruit flies, specifically in B. dorsalis and B. tryoni males, respectively, through enhancement of sexual signaling. However, ZN, which acts as a metabolic enhancer to increase male courtship activity in B. tryoni, did not show the same effect. As fruit fly-phytochemical lure interactions are unique and species-specific phenomena, this study seeks to elucidate the ecological significance of ZN feeding to Zeugodacus tau in terms of sexual signaling. We demonstrate here that ZN feeding by Z. tau males enhanced female attraction and subsequent mating success by increasing male courtship, and the attractiveness of the sexual signals in both wind tunnel and semi-field cage bioassays. In addition, we also demonstrated temporal effects on male behaviour in relation to the amount of lure intake. However, feeding on ZN did not appear to affect the total time spent in copula for Z. tau. This is the first report showing an important role of ZN in increasing courtship activity as well as enhancement of sexual signaling in Z. tau males.

Matched MeSH terms: Sexual Behavior, Animal/drug effects*
Attraction and consumption of methyl eugenol by male Bactrocera umbrosa Fabricius (Diptera: Tephritidae) promotes conspecific sexual communication and mating performance

Wee SL, Abdul Munir MZ, Hee AKW

Bull. Entomol. Res., 2018 Feb;108(1):116-124.
PMID: 28625191 DOI: 10.1017/S0007485317000554

The Artocarpus fruit fly, Bactrocera umbrosa (Fabricius) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is an oligophagous fruit pest infesting Moraceae fruits, including jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lamarck), a fruit commodity of high value in Malaysia. The scarcity of fundamental biological, physiological and ecological information on this pest, particularly in relation to behavioural response to phytochemical lures, which are instrumental to the success of many area-wide fruit fly control and management programmes, underpins the need for studies on this much-underrated pest. The positive response of B. umbrosa males to methyl eugenol (ME), a highly potent phytochemical lure, which attracts mainly males of many Bactrocera species, was shown to increase with increasing age. As early as 7 days after emergence (DAE), ca. 22% of males had responded to ME and over 50% by 10 DAE, despite no occurrence of matings (i.e. the males were still sexually immature). Male attraction to ME peaked from 10 to 27 DAE, which corresponded with the flies' attainment of sexual maturity. In wind-tunnel assays during the dusk courtship period, ME-fed males exhibited earlier calling activity and attracted a significantly higher percentage of virgin females compared with ME-deprived males. ME-fed males enjoyed a higher mating success than ME-deprived males at 1-day post ME feeding in semi-field assays. ME consumption also promotes aggregation behaviour in B. umbrosa males, as demonstrated in wind-tunnel and semi-field assays. We suggest that ME plays a prominent role in promoting sexual communication and enhancing mating performance of the Artocarpus fruit fly, a finding that is congruent with previous reports on the consequences of ME acquisition by other economically important Bactrocera species.

Matched MeSH terms: Sexual Behavior, Animal/drug effects*
Effect of Eurycoma longifolia Jack on orientation activities in middle-aged male rats

Ang HH, Lee KL

Fundam Clin Pharmacol, 2002 Dec;16(6):479-83.
PMID: 12685506 DOI: 10.1046/j.1472-8206.2002.00106.x

The effects of various fractions of Eurycoma longifolia Jack were studied on the orientation activities of the inbred, adult middle-aged Sprague-Dawley rats, 9 months old and retired breeders towards the receptive females (anogenital sniffing, licking, mounting), the environment (climbing, raring, exploration), themselves (nongenital grooming, genital grooming) and mobility (restricted, unrestricted) after treating these subjects twice daily for 10 days. Results showed that subjects treated with 800 mg/kg of E. longifolia Jack increased orientation activities towards the receptive females (anogenital sniffing, licking and mounting), increased genital grooming towards themselves and restricted movements to a particular area of the cage but decreased interest in the external environment (climbing, raring, exploration) as compared with the controls during the investigation period. In conclusion, this study gives further evidences that different fractions of E. longifolia Jack modified the orientation activities of the middle-aged male rats.

Matched MeSH terms: Sexual Behavior, Animal/drug effects*
Effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack on sexual qualities in middle aged male rats

Ang HH, Ngai TH, Tan TH

Phytomedicine, 2003;10(6-7):590-3.
PMID: 13678248 DOI: 10.1078/094471103322331881

The effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack were studied on the sexual qualities of middle aged male rats after dosing them with 0.5 g/kg of various fractions of E. longifolia whilst the control group received 3 ml/kg of normal saline daily for 12 weeks. Results showed than E. longifolia Jack enhanced the sexual qualities of the middle aged male rats by decreasing their hesitation time as compared to controls with various fractions of E. longifolia Jack produced 865-916 (91-96), 860-914 (92-98), 850-904 (93-99), 854-890 (95-99), 844-880 (94-98), 840-875 (94-98), 830-870 (94-98), 825-860 (94-98), 820-850 (96-99), 800-840 (93-98), 750-795 (94-99) and 650-754 sec (82-95%) in contrast to controls which produced 950 (100), 934 (100), 910 (100), 900 (100), 895 (100), 890 (100), 885 (100), 880 (100), 855 (100), 860 (100), 800 (100) and 790 sec (100%) throughout the investigation period. Besides these, there was a transient increase in the % of the male rats responding to the right choice after chronic administration of 0.5 g/kg E. longifolia Jack, with more than 50% of the male rats scored right choice after 2 weeks post-treatment and the effect was more prominent at the dose of the observation period. However, there was no sexual enhancement of the middle aged male rats which consumed normal saline since only 45-55% of the male rats responded to right choice throughout the investigation period. Hence, this study shows that E. longifolia Jack enhanced the sexual qualities of the middle aged male rats, further supports the folkuse of E. longifolia Jack as an aphrodisiac.

Matched MeSH terms: Sexual Behavior, Animal/drug effects*
Eurycoma longifolia Jack enhances sexual motivation in middle-aged male mice

Ang HH, Lee KL, Kiyoshi M

J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol, 2003;14(3):301-8.
PMID: 14964739 DOI: 10.1515/jbcpp.2003.14.3.301

Eurycoma longifolia Jack was investigated for sexual motivation activity in adult, middle-aged male mice and in retired breeders, using the modified open field and the modified runway choice methods. Each mouse received 500 mg/kg of one of 4 fractions of E. longifolia Jack, viz. chloroform, methanol, butanol, and water, whereas the mice in the control and yohimbine groups received 3 ml/kg of normal saline and 30 mg/kg of yohimbine daily respectively for 10 d. The results show a transient increase in the percentage of male mice responding to the right choice after chronic consumption of the fractions with 50 percent of the adult middle-aged male mice treated with E. longifolia Jack and yohimbine scoring the right choice after 8 and 5 days post-treatment respectively. In conclusion, this study has shown that E. longifolia Jack continues to enhance sexual motivation in adult, middle-aged male mice and in retired breeders.

Matched MeSH terms: Sexual Behavior, Animal/drug effects*
Sexual arousal in sexually sluggish old male rats after oral administration of Eurycoma longifolia Jack

Ang HH, Lee KL, Kiyoshi M

J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol, 2004;15(3-4):303-9.
PMID: 15803965 DOI: 10.1515/jbcpp.2004.15.3-4.303

Eurycoma longifolia Jack commonly known as Tongkat Ali in Malaysia, has been used in Malaysia to increase male virility and sexual prowess. The objective of this study is to evaluate sexual arousal in sexually sluggish old male rats, 24 months old and retired breeders, receiving 200, 400, or 800 mg/kg of various fractions of E. longifolia Jack, twice daily, for 10 days. Control rats received 3 ml/kg of normal saline. The aphrodisiac effect was monitored by the act of yawning and stretching because yawning, either alone or associated with stretching, is considered an ancestral vestige surviving throughout evolution that promotes sexual arousal. The results showed that 800 mg/kg of E. longifolia Jack increased yawning by 50% and stretching by 16.7% in sexually sluggish old male rats, by 676-719% and 31-336%, respectively, in sexually active male rats, and by 22-44% and 75-100%, respectively, in middle aged, 9 months old and retired breeders. We conclude that the results of this study support the folk use of this plant as an aphrodisiac.

Matched MeSH terms: Sexual Behavior, Animal/drug effects*
Fulltext Eurycoma longifolia Jack enhances libido in sexually experienced male rats

Ang HH, Sim MK

Exp Anim, 1997 Oct;46(4):287-90.
PMID: 9353636 DOI: 10.1538/expanim.46.287

The effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack were studied on the libido of sexually experienced male rats after dosing them with 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight twice daily of different fractions of E. longifolia Jack for 10 days. Results showed that E. longifolia Jack produced a dose-dependent increase in mounting frequency of the treated animals with 400 mg/kg of chloroform, methanol, water and butanol fractions resulting in mounting frequencies of 5.3 +/- 1.2, 4.9 +/- 0.7, 4.8 +/- 0.7 and 5.2 +/- 0.1, and 800 mg/kg further increased them to 5.4 +/- 0.8, 5.4 +/- 0.8, 5.2 +/- 0.6 and 5.3 +/- 0.2 respectively but there were no erections, intromissions, ejaculations or seminal emissions during the 20-min observation period which allowed for the measurement of sexual arousal reflected by mounting frequency uninfluenced by other behavioural components. This study provides evidence that E. longifolia Jack is a potent stimulator of sexual arousal in sexually vigorous male rats in the absence of feedback from genital sensation.

Matched MeSH terms: Sexual Behavior, Animal/drug effects*
Pharmacophagy of methyl eugenol by males enhances sexual selection of Bactrocera carambolae

Wee SL, Tan KH, Nishida R

J Chem Ecol, 2007 Jun;33(6):1272-82.
PMID: 17443401 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-007-9295-0

After pharmacophagy of methyl eugenol (ME), males of Bactrocera carambolae (Diptera: Tephritidae) produced (E)-coniferyl alcohol (CF) along with its endogenously synthesized pheromonal compounds. CF was shown to be released into the air by the ME-fed males only during the courtship period at dusk and attracted significantly more males and females than the ME-deprived males in wind tunnel assays. However, earlier onset of sexual attraction and a higher mating success were observed only in the wind tunnel and field cage assays on the third day posttreatment of ME. Field cage observations on the male-to-male interaction indicated that the ME-deprived males did not exhibit aggregation behavior, but that ME feeding promoted aggregation behavior in B. carambolae. Field cage observations revealed that the ME-deprived males were not only attracted to the ME-fed males, but also appeared to feed on their anal secretions. The secretions were subsequently confirmed to contain CF along with endogenously produced pheromonal compounds. Results obtained for B. carambolae were compared to those previously obtained from its sibling species, Bactrocera dorsalis, and are discussed in light of species advancement in fruit fly-plant relationships.

Matched MeSH terms: Sexual Behavior, Animal/drug effects*
Fulltext Malaysian propolis and metformin mitigate subfertility in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats by targeting steroidogenesis, testicular lactate transport, spermatogenesis and mating behaviour

Nna VU, Bakar ABA, Ahmad A, Umar UZ, Suleiman JB, Zakaria Z, et al.

Andrology, 2020 05;8(3):731-746.
PMID: 31816190 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12739

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is one of the risk factors for male subfertility/infertility. Malaysian propolis is reported to decrease hyperglycaemia in diabetic state.
OBJECTIVES: The present study investigated the protective effect of Malaysian propolis on diabetes-induced subfertility/infertility. Additionally, its combined beneficial effects with metformin were investigated.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty adult male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned into five groups, namely normal control, diabetic control, diabetic + Malaysian propolis (300 mg/k.g. b.w.), diabetic + metformin (300 mg/kg b.w.) and diabetic + Malaysian propolis + metformin. Diabetes was induced using a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg b.w.) and treatment lasted for 4 weeks. During the 4th week, mating behavioural experiments were performed using sexually receptive female rats. Thereafter, fertility parameters were assessed in the female rats.
RESULTS: Malaysian propolis increased serum and intratesticular free testosterone levels, up-regulated the mRNA levels of AR and luteinizing hormone receptor, up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of StAR, CYP11A1, CYP17A1, 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD in the testes of diabetic rats. Furthermore, Malaysian propolis up-regulated testicular MCT2, MCT4 and lactate dehydrogenase type C mRNA levels, in addition to improving sperm parameters (count, motility, viability and normal morphology) and decreasing sperm nDNA fragmentation in diabetic rats. Malaysian propolis improved mating behaviour by increasing penile guanosine monophosphate levels. Malaysian propolis also improved fertility outcome as seen with decreases in pre- and post-implantation losses, increases in gravid uterine weight, litter size per dam and foetal weight. Malaysian propolis's effects were comparable to metformin. However, their combination yielded better results relative to the monotherapeutic interventions.
CONCLUSION: Malaysian propolis improves fertility potential in diabetic state by targeting steroidogenesis, testicular lactate metabolism, spermatogenesis and mating behaviour, with better effects when co-administered with metformin. Therefore, Malaysian propolis shows a promising complementary effect with metformin in mitigating Diabetes mellitus-induced subfertility/infertility.

Matched MeSH terms: Sexual Behavior, Animal/drug effects
Fulltext Effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali) on the initiation of sexual performance of inexperienced castrated male rats

Ang HH, Cheang HS, Yusof AP

Exp Anim, 2000 Jan;49(1):35-8.
PMID: 10803359 DOI: 10.1538/expanim.49.35

We studied the effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack, commonly known as Tongkat Ali in Malaysia, on the initiation of sexual performance and the weights of sexual accessories in inexperienced castrated male rats. The doses of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight, which were extracted from E. longifolia Jack, were orally administered to the rats twice daily for 10 days prior to the tests and continued throughout the test period. Testosterone was used as a positive control after injecting 15 mg/kg daily subcutaneously for 32 days. Results showed that E. longifolia Jack produced a dose-dependent increase in sexual performance of the treated animals, but the E. longifolia Jack groups showed lower sexual performance in mounting, intromission and ejaculation than the testosterone group. Further results also showed that E. longifolia Jack promoted the growth of both ventral prostate and seminal vesicles as compared with the control, but the growth of sexual accessories at 800 mg/kg of butanol, methanol, water and chloroform fractions of E. longifolia Jack was less than that of testosterone treated group. The present study therefore gives further evidence of the folkuse of E. longifolia as an aphrodisiac.

Matched MeSH terms: Sexual Behavior, Animal/drug effects*
Citalopram (antidepressant) administration causes sexual dysfunction in male mice through RF-amide related peptide in the dorsomedial hypothalamus

Soga T, Wong DW, Clarke IJ, Parhar IS

Neuropharmacology, 2010 Jul-Aug;59(1-2):77-85.
PMID: 20381503 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2010.03.018

Citalopram is the most potent selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) which is used as an antidepressant but causes sexual dysfunction. Whether citalopram induced sexual dysfunction is a result of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), kisspeptin or RF-amide related peptide (RFRP) alteration is unknown. In this study, we tested mice for sexual behavior after vehicle (0.9% NaCl) and citalopram treatment (5 mg/kg) daily for 1 day (acute) and 21 or 28 days (chronic). Effects of acute and chronic treatments on neuronal numbers and mRNA expression of GnRH, kisspeptin and RFRP were measured. In addition, RFRP fiber projections to preoptic (POA)-GnRH neurons were analyzed using double-label immunohistochemistry. The expression of 14 different serotonin receptor types mRNA was examined in immunostained laser dissected single RFRP neurons in the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH), however only 11 receptors types were identified. Acute citalopram treatment did not affect sexual behavior, whereas, the total duration of intromission was reduced with chronic treatment. There was no effect in the expression of kisspeptin (neuronal numbers and mRNA) in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus and the arcuate nucleus and expression of GnRH (neuronal numbers and mRNA) in the POA after citalopram treatment. However, RFRP neuronal numbers in the DMH and fiber projections to the POA were significantly increased after chronic citalopram treatment, which suggests citalopram induced inhibition of sexual behavior involves the modulation of RFRP through serotonin receptors in the DMH.

Matched MeSH terms: Sexual Behavior, Animal/drug effects
Metformin mitigates impaired testicular lactate transport/utilisation and improves sexual behaviour in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Nna VU, Abu Bakar AB, Ahmad A, Mohamed M

Arch Physiol Biochem, 2021 Feb;127(1):51-60.
PMID: 31072137 DOI: 10.1080/13813455.2019.1610778

CONTEXT: Lactate is the preferred energy substrate for developing testicular germ cells. Diabetes is associated with impaired testicular lactate transport/utilisation, and poor sexual behaviour.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of metformin on parameters involved in testicular lactate production, transport/utilisation, and sexual behaviour in diabetic state.
METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned into normal control (NC), diabetic control (DC), and metformin-treated diabetic group (n = 6/group). Metformin (300 mg/kg b.w./day) was administrated orally for 4 weeks.
RESULTS: Intra-testicular glucose and lactate levels, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity increased, while the mRNA transcript levels of genes responsible for testicular glucose and lactate transport/utilisation (glucose transporter 3, monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4), MCT2, and LDH type C) decreased in DC group. Furthermore, penile nitric oxide increased, while cyclic guanosine monophosphate decreased, with impaired sexual behaviour in DC group. Treatment with metformin improved these parameters.
CONCLUSIONS: Metformin increases testicular lactate transport/utilisation and improves sexual behaviour in diabetic state.

Matched MeSH terms: Sexual Behavior, Animal/drug effects*
Effect of quercetin on cadmium chloride-induced impairments in sexual behaviour and steroidogenesis in male Wistar rats

Ujah GA, Nna VU, Agah MI, Omue LO, Leku CB, Osim EE

Andrologia, 2018 Mar;50(2).
PMID: 28703286 DOI: 10.1111/and.12866

Cadmium chloride (CdCl2 ) has been reported to cause reproductive toxicity in male rats, mainly through oxidative stress. This study examined its effect on sexual behaviour, as one of the mechanisms of reproductive dysfunction, as well as the possible ameliorative effect of quercetin (QE) on same. Thirty male Wistar rats (10 weeks old), weighing 270-300 g, were used for this study. They were either orally administered 2% DMSO, CdCl2 (5 mg/kg b.w.), QE (20 mg/kg b.w.) or CdCl2 +QE, once daily for 4 weeks, before sexual behavioural studies. The 5th group received CdCl2 for 4 weeks and allowed 4-week recovery period, before sexual behavioural test. Rats were sacrificed after sexual behavioural studies. The blood, testis and penis were collected for biochemical assays. Cadmium increased mount, intromission and ejaculatory latencies, but reduced their frequencies, compared to control. Serum nitric oxide increased, while penile cyclic guanosine monophosphate reduced in the CdCl2 -exposed rats, compared to control. CdCl2 increased testicular cholesterol, but reduced 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) and 17β-HSD activities, and testosterone concentration. QE better attenuated these negative changes compared to withdrawal of CdCl2 treatment. In conclusion, CdCl2 suppressed steroidogenesis, penile erection and sexual behaviour, with poor reversal following withdrawal, while QE attenuated these effects.

Matched MeSH terms: Sexual Behavior, Animal/drug effects
Early-life citalopram-induced impairments in sexual behavior and the role of androgen receptor

Soga T, Wong DW, Putteeraj M, Song KP, Parhar IS

Neuroscience, 2012 Dec 6;225:172-84.
PMID: 22960312 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.08.061

Postnatal treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) has been found to affect brain development and the regulation of reproduction in rodent models. The normal masculinization process in the brain requires a transient decrease in serotonin (5-HT) levels in the brain during the second postnatal week. Strict regulation of androgen receptor (AR) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) expression is important to control male reproductive activity. Therefore, this study was designed to examine the effects of a potent SSRI (citalopram) on male sexual behavior and expression levels of AR and GnRH in adult male mice receiving either vehicle or citalopram (10mg/kg) daily during postnatal days 8-21. The citalopram-treated male mice showed altered sexual behavior, specifically a significant reduction in the number of intromissions preceding ejaculation compared with the vehicle-treated mice. The citalopram-treated male mice displayed elevated anxiety-like behavior in an open field test and lower locomotor activity in their home cage during the subjective night. Although there was no change in GnRH and AR mRNA levels in the preoptic area (POA), quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunostained AR cell numbers in the medial POA were decreased in the citalopram-treated male mice. These results suggest that the early-life inhibition of 5-HT transporters alters the regulation of AR expression in the medial POA, likely causing decreased sexual behavior and altered home cage activity in the subjective night.

Matched MeSH terms: Sexual Behavior, Animal/drug effects*

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