Electroacupuncture facilitates recovery of male sexual behavior in morphine withdrawal rats.
The effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the sexual behavior of male rats undergoing morphine withdrawal was studied by measuring various parameters of sexual behavior. In addition, the total serum testosterone (TST) concentrations in male rats at different times of morphine administration and abstinence were measured. Acute and chronic administration of morphine severely inhibited the sexual behavior of the rats and lowered their TST concentrations. TST concentrations recovered to normal within 24 h after the last morphine injection, while sexual behavior remained suppressed for at least 7 days. Electroacupuncture (2/100 Hz alternately) administered once daily for 7 days during morphine withdrawal facilitated the recovery of male sexual behavior and increased TST concentrations to above normal. The effect of EA on sexual behavior may involve both neuronal and hormonal pathways.
Cui
Guo-Hong
GH
Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University and Department of Neurobiology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.
Ren
Xiao-Wei
XW
Wu
Liu-Zhen
LZ
Han
Ji-Sheng
JS
Cui
Cai-Lian
CL
D000818:Animals; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D008297:Male; D009020:Morphine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D009294:Narcotics / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D009294:Narcotics; D013739:Testosterone; D009020:Morphine