Animal Models for the Study of Female Sexual Dysfunction

Abstract

Introduction Significant progress has been made in elucidating the physiological and pharmacological mechanisms of female sexual function through preclinical animal research. The continued development of animal models is vital for the understanding and treatment of the many diverse disorders that occur in women. Aim To provide an updated review of the experimental models evaluating female sexual function that may be useful for clinical translation. Methods Review of English written, peer-reviewed literature, primarily from 2000 to 2012, that described studies on female sexual behavior related to motivation, arousal, physiological monitoring of genital function and urogenital pain. Main Outcomes Measures Analysis of supporting evidence for the suitability of the animal model to provide measurable indices related to desire, arousal, reward, orgasm, and pelvic pain. Results The development of female animal models has provided important insights in the peripheral and central processes regulating sexual function. Behavioral models of sexual desire, motivation, and reward are well developed. Central arousal and orgasmic responses are less well understood, compared with the physiological changes associated with genital arousal. Models of nociception are useful for replicating symptoms and identifying the neurobiological pathways involved. While in some cases translation to women correlates with the findings in animals, the requirement of circulating hormones for sexual receptivity in rodents and the multifactorial nature of women’s sexual function requires better designed studies and careful analysis. The current models have studied sexual dysfunction or pelvic pain in isolation; combining these aspects would help to elucidate interactions of the pathophysiology of pain and sexual dysfunction. Conclusions Basic research in animals has been vital for understanding the anatomy, neurobiology, and physiological mechanisms underlying sexual function and urogenital pain. These models are important for understanding the etiology of female sexual function and for future development of pharmacological treatments for sexual dysfunctions with or without pain.

The rodent vaginal microbiome across the estrous cycle and the effect of genital nerve electrical stimulation

“…Using a non-invasive approach, we sought to bridge a potential relationship between our clinical findings and blood flow changes observed in rodents. Although rats are a standard model for sexual function research [25], it is not clear if they are a relevant animal model for the vaginal microbiome of women. Little is known about the rat vaginal microbiota.…”

The rodent vaginal microbiome across the estrous cycle and the effect of genital nerve electrical stimulation

“…Using a non-invasive approach, we sought to bridge a potential relationship between our clinical findings and blood flow changes observed in rodents. Although rats are a standard model for sexual function research (25), it is not clear if they are a proper animal model for the vaginal microbiome of women. Little is known about the general diversity of bacterial species in the rat vaginal microbiome.…”

Vulvodynia: Current state of the biological science

“…Compared to other chronic pain conditions, very few animal models have been developed to replicate relevant clinical pain conditions from the urogenital tract [27,40]. Translation of findings in these models to sexual pain in women might be more difficult than in other pain models because of the requirement of circulating hormones for sexual receptivity in rodents and the multifactorial nature of women's sexual function.…”