Hyperprolactinemia preferentially inhibits erectile function in adrenalectomized male rats.

Hyperprolactinemia preferentially inhibits erectile function in adrenalectomized male rats.

Doherty P C; Wu D E; Matt K S

Life sciences

1990

1905-6

To determine if the inhibitory effects of hyperprolactinemia on sexual arousal and serum LH levels could be dissociated from those on erectile function, copulatory behavior was examined in pituitary-grafted, adrenalectomized male rats that had been castrated and given 20mm subcutaneous testosterone implants. Whereas transplantation of three pituitaries under the kidney capsules inhibited mounting rates in intact animals, pituitary grafting did not significantly reduce mounting rates in the adrenalectomized group beyond the effect of adrenalectomy alone. In contrast, the effects of pituitary grafting on erectile function were enhanced in the adrenalectomized animals. Hyperprolactinemia also caused a significant reduction in serum LH, but only in the intact animals. These results suggest that: 1. the effects of hyperprolactinemia on erectile function occur independently from those on sexual arousal, and 2. the inhibitory effects of hyperprolactinemia on sexual arousal are linked to the effects of hyperprolactinemia on LH release.

Male; Animals; Chronic Disease; Body Weight; Rats; Testosterone/pharmacology; Adrenalectomy; Prolactin/blood/metabolism; *Penile Erection/drug effects; Hyperprolactinemia/*physiopathology; Luteinizing Hormone/blood/*metabolism; Pituitary Gland/transplantation; Inbred F344

Article information provided for research and reference use only. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).

141–148

2

47