trans-Resveratrol relaxes the corpus cavernosum ex vivo and enhances testosterone levels and sperm quality in vivo.
We examined the effects of trans-resveratrol on male reproductive functions; ex-vivo penile erection and in-vivo sperm counts and quality. For the ex-vivo study, the relaxation effects of resveratrol on isolated New Zealand white rabbit corpus cavernosum, precontracted by phenylephrine (5x10(-5) M) were measured. The in-vivo study measured reproductive organ weights, blood testosterone levels, testicular histopathology, sperm counts, as well as the epididymal sperm motility and deformity of male ICR mice given an oral dose of resveratrol (50 mg/ kg) for 28 days. Resveratrol elicited a concentration-dependent relaxing effect on corpus cavernosum, leading to a median effective concentration (EC50) of 0.29 mg/mL. Repeated treatment with resveratrol (50 mg/kg) did not cause an increase in body weight, reproductive organ weight or testicular microscopic findings; however, resveratrol did elicit an increase in blood testosterone concentration, testicular sperm counts and epididymal sperm motility by 51.6%, 15.8% and 23.3%, respectively, without influence on sperm deformity. In conclusion, we propose that resveratrol has a positive effect on male reproductive function by triggering a penile erection, as well as enhancing blood testosterone levels, testicular sperm counts, and epididymal sperm motility.
Shin
Sunhee
S
College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju, Chungbuk 361-763, Korea.
Jeon
Jeong Hee
JH
Park
Dongsun
D
Jang
Min-Jung
MJ
Choi
Jae Hong
JH
Choi
Bong-Ho
BH
Joo
Seong Soo
SS
Nahm
Sang-Seop
SS
Kim
Jong-Choon
JC
Kim
Yun-Bae
YB
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000187:drug effects; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects; D019055:No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects*; D011817:Rabbits; D000077185:Resveratrol; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013267:Stilbenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism*
D013267:Stilbenes; D013739:Testosterone; D000077185:Resveratrol