Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Mechanism of Social Stress-Related Erectile Dysfunction in Mice: Impaired Parasympathetic Neurotransmission and Ketamine

Version 1 : Received: 4 June 2023 / Approved: 5 June 2023 / Online: 5 June 2023 (08:41:13 CEST)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Wu, S.-Y.; Chao, T.-C.; Hsu, C.-K.; Chang, H.-H.; Yang, S.S.-D. Mechanism of Social Stress-Related Erectile Dysfunction in Mice: Impaired Parasympathetic Neurotransmission and Ketamine. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, 11973. Wu, S.-Y.; Chao, T.-C.; Hsu, C.-K.; Chang, H.-H.; Yang, S.S.-D. Mechanism of Social Stress-Related Erectile Dysfunction in Mice: Impaired Parasympathetic Neurotransmission and Ketamine. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, 11973.

Abstract

We aimed to investigate the mechanism underlying social stress (SS)-induced erectile dysfunction (ED) and evaluate the effects of a single sub-anesthetic dose of ketamine on SS-related ED. Male FVB mice were exposed to retired male C57BL/6 mice for 60 minutes daily over a 4-week period. In the third week, SS mice received intraperitoneal injections of either saline (SSS group) or ketamine (SSK group). Erectile function was assessed by measuring intra-cavernosal pressure (ICP) during electrical stimulation at the major pelvic ganglia. Corpus cavernosum (CC) strips were utilized for wire myography to assess their reactivity. Both SSS and SSK mice exhibited significantly lower ICP in response to electrical stimulation than control. SS mice showed increased contractility of CC induced by phenylephrine. Acetylcholine-induced relaxation was significantly reduced in SSS and SSK mice. Sodium nitroprusside-induced relaxation was higher in SSS mice compared to control and SSK mice. Nicotine-induced neurogenic and nitric oxide (NO)-dependent relaxation was significantly impaired in both SSS and SSK mice. Immunohistochemically analysis revealed co-localization of tyrosine hydroxylase and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-immunoreactive fibers in the CC. These findings highlight the complex nature of SS-related ED and suggest the limited efficacy of ketamine as a therapeutic intervention in this condition.

Keywords

erectile dysfunction; social stress; ketamine; sexual dysfunction

Subject

Medicine and Pharmacology, Urology and Nephrology

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