title: The role of AT1 receptor-mediated reproductive function in renovascular hypertension in male rats.
abstract: There is an association between hypertension and reproductive dysfunction. Angiotensin II (Ang II) is involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension and the regulation of reproduction. The present study aimed to determine whether the angiotensinergic system mediates the effects of hypertension on reproductive function in male rats subjected to a two-kidney, one-clip (2K1C) model. Sexual behavior parameters, gametogenesis and plasma concentrations of Ang II, testosterone, prolactin and corticosterone were evaluated in male rats 28days after 2K1C or sham surgery and losartan (Los) treatment (a type 1 angiotensin II (AT1) receptor antagonist) or vehicle (V) treatment. The animals were divided into Sham+V, 2K1C+V, Sham+Los and 2K1C+Los groups. The 2K1C+V group showed a hypertensive response, inhibition of sexual behavior, spermatogenesis dysfunction, and increases in plasma Ang II and prolactin. Conversely, plasma testosterone decreased, and plasma corticosterone remained constant. Losartan treatment normalized blood pressure and prevented the changes in plasma testosterone and prolactin, sexual behavior and spermatogenesis in the 2K1C+Los group. In addition, losartan treatment caused an additional increase in circulating Ang ll in both groups (Sham+Los and 2K1C+Los). Together, these results suggest that Ang ll, acting through the AT1 receptor, modulates behavioral and endocrine parameters of reproductive function during renovascular hypertension. In addition, the effects of circulating Ang II on plasma testosterone and prolactin seem to contribute to the spermatogenic and sexual dysfunctions in hypertensive rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Sarmento Leite 500, Porto Alegre, RS 90050-170, Brazil. karinvweissh@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Karin Viana
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Weissheimer
authors.forename: Celso Rodrigues
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Franci
authors.forename: Aldo Bolten
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Lucion
authors.forename: Gilberto Luiz
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Sanvitto
mesh_terms: D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000097:blood; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D006978:Hypertension, Renovascular / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019808:Losartan / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 / Q000502:physiology*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1; D000804:Angiotensin II; D013739:Testosterone; D011388:Prolactin; D019808:Losartan; D003345:Corticosterone