Effects of renovascular hypertension on reproductive function in male rats.
OBJECTIVE
The present study investigated the effects of renovascular hypertension (2K/1C model) on the reproductive function of male rats, represented by sexual behavior, plasma prolactin (PRL), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone, and spermatogenesis.


METHODS
The present experiments were performed to investigate the reproductive function of 2K/1C male Wistar rats and compare with 2K/1C male rats successfully treated for hypertension with nifedipine and was divided in the following groups: (1) Sham+V (n=10): Sham-operated males with vehicle used; (2) Sham+N (n=13): Sham-operated males treated with nifedipine (10 mg/kg/day); (3) 2K/1C+V (n=14): 2K/1C-operated males with vehicle used; and (4) 2K/1C+N (n=16): 2K/1C-operated males treated with nifedipine.


RESULTS
The data indicated an association between hypertension induced by the 2K/1C model and reduction of reproductive function, as demonstrated by an impairment of sexual behavior, higher plasma PRL and lower plasma testosterone and FSH. The treatment with nifedipine prevented the reduction of sexual behavior and the increase of plasma PRL, but did not alter the reduction of plasma testosterone and FSH and spermatogenesis of 2K/1C rats.


CONCLUSIONS
Reproductive function is adversely affected in the 2K/1C animal model, and high blood pressure plays a role in the modulation of plasma PRL and sexual behavior. Moreover, other events, without high blood pressure, but with high plasma renin activity associated with the 2K/1C model, contribute directly to the reduction of plasma testosterone and FSH and impaired spermatogenesis.
Breigeiron
Márcia Koja
MK
Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
Lucion
Aldo Bolten
AB
Sanvitto
Gilberto Luiz
GL
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006978:Hypertension, Renovascular / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D013739:Testosterone; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D009543:Nifedipine