Evidence for centrally initiated genital vasocongestive engorgement in the female rat: findings from a new model of female sexual arousal response

Beharry, R K S; Hale, Taben M.; Wilson, Emery A.; Heaton, Jeremy P.W.; Adams, Michael

doi:10.1038/sj.ijir.3900980

Cited by 20 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Assessment of GVA responses and yawns in the various groups was also conducted after the administration of normal saline (0.9% NaCl, 1 mL/kg) to confirm the specificity of the APO response. As previously established, saline administration did not produce a significant GVA response rate [6]. Specifically, in enalapril-treated rats, there were no recorded GVA responses during seven separate saline testing sessions, whereas in the same animals, there were 100 total GVAs observed during 18 APO testing sessions.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 66%

Restoration of Female Genital Vasocongestive Arousal Responses in Young and Aged Rats

Beharry

Hale

Heaton

et al. 2008

The Journal of Sexual Medicine

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Introduction Treatments of aged, male hypertensive rats that induce vascular remodeling or that normalize endothelial function are known to produce sustained improvements in erectile function. Whether the treatments targeting these processes benefit female genital vasocongestive arousal (GVA) responses is currently not known. Aim To determine whether the actions of nitric oxide (NO) are critical to the apomorphine (APO)-generated GVA responses in both intact and ovariectomized OVX young adult female rats (before any aging-associated decreases in the responses). In addition, we also investigated whether the diminished GVA responses in aged rats could be restored, at least in part, using an antihypertensive treatment, which is known to enhance erectile responses and improve general vascular function in male rats. Methods In female Wistar rats, APO-induced GVA responses (80 µg/kg, subcutaneously [sc], 30 minutes) were assessed by videomonitoring following various treatments. Young adult females were ovariectomized or were treated with the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (30 mg/kg, iv), followed by an NO mimetic, sodium nitroprusside (10 µg/kg/minute, intravenous). Aged females (18 months) were treated for 2 weeks with the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, enalapril (30 mg/kg/day, orally) plus low sodium (0.04%). Main Outcome Measures APO-induced GVA responses in female rats. Results There was an age-associated reduction in sexual responses in normotensive rats that was greatly enhanced (fourfold) by brief, aggressive antihypertensive treatment. The enhanced vasocongestive responses persisted for a 5-week off-treatment. Both OVX and NOS inhibition significantly decreased sexual responses by approximately 80% in young female rats. Systemic administration of an NO mimetic recovered vasocongestive responses in the NOS-blocked rats, but not in OVX animals. Conclusions Although mechanisms were not established, the major findings were that brief aggressive ACE inhibitor treatment markedly improved sexual responses in aged female rats, and systemic delivery of an NO mimetic recovered sexual responses in globally NOS-blocked animals.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 66%

Restoration of Female Genital Vasocongestive Arousal Responses in Young and Aged Rats

Beharry

Hale

Heaton

et al. 2008

The Journal of Sexual Medicine

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“…Data suggest that dopamine is involved in the regulation of sexual desire and arousal [82,83] . The physiological effects of this drug are currently being tested in women with sexual dysfunction.…”

Section: Apomorphinementioning

confidence: 99%

Progress in Female Sexual Dysfunction

Verit¹,

Yeni²,

Kafalı³

2006

Urol Int

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Introduction: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a significant age-related, progressive and highly prevalent problem that affects a substantial number of women that causes personal distress and has negative effects on quality of life and interpersonal relationships. Definitions: The female sexual response cycle consists of three phases: desire, arousal, and orgasm, and is initiated by non-adrenergic/non-cholinergic, e.g. vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and nitric oxide, neurotransmitters that maintain vascular and non-vascular smooth muscle relaxation resulting in increased pelvic blood flow, vaginal lubrication, and clitoral and labial engorgement. Furthermore, hormonal status may influence female sexual function. For the diagnosis of FSD, a detailed history should be taken initially, followed by a physical examination and laboratory studies. Conclusion: Due to the fact that there has been little research and attention on FSD, our knowledge in this field is quite limited and there is still no approved therapy. Future advances in evaluation and treatment of female sexual problems are forthcoming.

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“…4 This model is based on the apomorphine (APO)-induced sexual response originally seen in male rats. APO is a dopamine receptor agonist (D 1 /D 2 ), and when administered at low doses acts as a central initiator of penile erections and yawns by binding somewhat selectively to the D 2 receptors of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus.…”

Section: Apomorphine-induced Model Of Fsadmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Female sexual function in terms of physiological and psychological mechanisms appears to parallel male sexual function in many general respects (eg, clitoral physiology), 3 yet remains clearly distinct in terms of many of the specifics (eg, vasocongestive arousal) 4 and completely different in critical areas (eg, the importance of orgasm and pain). While the physiology of a female sexual response has not yet been fully elucidated, evidence to date suggests that nitric oxide (NO) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) play critical roles.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Accordingly, in addition to behavioral models, a conscious model has been developed in which changes in genital morphology are induced via a centrally acting dopaminergic agent. 4 In addition, anaesthetized preparations have been established in which nerve stimulation produces changes in vaginal and clitoral blood flow 17,18 Froughly paralleling the nerve stimulation experiments in ED research. While the conscious models allow for investigation of the overall changes in sexual function and behavior, the anesthetized models provide the means to further assess the physiology of the response at the tissue level.…”

Section: In Vivofintroductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A framework for the present and future development of experimental models of female sexual dysfunction

2003

Self Cite

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Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is currently categorized according to disorders of (i) desire, (ii) arousal, (iii) orgasm and (iv) sexual pain. The advancement of research defining the physiological, pathophysiological and psychological mechanisms of these disorders, and to develop treatments for FSD, has been hampered by the paucity of experimental paradigms and animal models. It may be that animal models of FSD are best suited to address arousal disorders that include persistent or routine inability to attain or maintain genital lubrication or engorgement. Although still limited in scope, experimental models of FSD have involved a range of in vitro to in vivo methodologies. Specifically, the in vitro and in situ models include vaginal or clitoral smooth muscle preparations, histological evaluation and vaginal blood flow assessments. Previously, in vivo studies of sexual responses focussed on behavioral paradigms involving lordotic posturing and receptivity, as well as indices of motivation using a dual chamber pacing method. Recently, a new model of female sexual arousal was developed using pharmacological CNS stimulation; responses that were found to be sensitive to cardiovascular status, aging and hormonal conditions. It is important that a wide variety of animal models continue to be developed to reflect the multifactorial basis of the condition.

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Evidence for centrally initiated genital vasocongestive engorgement in the female rat: findings from a new model of female sexual arousal response

Cited by 20 publications

References 31 publications

Restoration of Female Genital Vasocongestive Arousal Responses in Young and Aged Rats

Restoration of Female Genital Vasocongestive Arousal Responses in Young and Aged Rats

Progress in Female Sexual Dysfunction

A framework for the present and future development of experimental models of female sexual dysfunction

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