[Relationship between ethanol intake and sexual function in rats].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between the intake of ethanol and sexual function of rats.


METHODS
Sixty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: the control, 10% , 20% , 30% and 40 ethanol groups, which received. . 9% sodium chloride, 10% , 20% , 30% and 40% ethanol solutions respectively at a dose of 2 ml through gastric tubes once a day. Three months later, we observed the effects of ethanol on the sexual function of the rats by their sexual behaviors, the number of apomorphine-induced penile erections, and the content of testosterone in the serum and nitric oxide synthase ( NOS) in the penis.


RESULTS
Compared with the control group, the number of apomorphine-induced penile erections in the 10% and 20% ethanol groups was not inhibited significantly (P > 0.05), but the latent period of mounting and intromission in the 10% ethanol group was prolonged and the sexual behaviors in the 20% ethanol group were inhibited except the latent period of ejaculation. The sexual behaviors and the number of apomorphine-induced penile erections of the 30% and 40% ethanol groups were inhibited significantly (P < 0.05). Testosterone in the serum and NOS activity in the penis of the experimental groups were reduced (Pat < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
An adequate volume of ethanol does not induce sexual dysfunction in rats, but long term and excessive intake of ethanol may cause penile erectile dysfunction.
Gan
Xiu-guo
XG
Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, China. ganxiuguo@yahoo.com.cn
An
Rui-hua
RH
Wang
Yong-quan
YQ
D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects*; D010413:Penis / Q000378:metabolism; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D000431:Ethanol; D013739:Testosterone; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase