Abstract
We recently reported a previously unknown peptidergic system within the lumbosacral spinal cord that uses gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) to trigger erection and ejaculation inmale rats. Many men suffering from stress, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder, report sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction in men suffering from stress and major depressive disorder is traditionally treated via psychological counseling. To determine whether acute severe stress could alter the male-specific GRP system, we used single prolonged stress (SPS) exposure in a putative rat model for PTSD. Exposure of male rats to SPS decreases the local content and the axonal distribution of GRP in the lower lumbar spinal cord and results in an attenuation of penile reflexes in vivo. Pharmacological stimulation of GRP receptors remarkably restores penile reflexes in SPS-exposed male rats and in castrated male rats. The administration of a GRP agonist to these animal models interestingly induces spontaneous ejaculation in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, although the circulating level of androgens is normal 1 week after SPS exposure, there is a significant decrease in the expression of androgen receptor protein in lumbar segments 3 and 4 of the spinal cord. This might make the spinal center less responsive to androgens. In this report, I review findings on a recently identified spinal GRP systemthat could be vulnerable to stress and that controls male reproductive function. This system provides new insights into the clinical treatment of psychogenic erectile dysfunction triggered by stress and psychiatric disorders.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 519-526 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Journal of Andrology |
| Volume | 31 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Nov 2010 |
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Keywords
- Ejaculation
- Erection
- Gastrin-releasing peptide
- Lumbar spinal cord
- Posttraumatic stress disorder
- Testosterone
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Urology
- Reproductive Medicine
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
- Endocrinology
Cite this
The neurobiology of psychogenic erectile dysfunction in the spinal cord. / Sakamoto, Hirotaka.
In: Journal of Andrology, Vol. 31, No. 6, 11.2010, p. 519-526.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The neurobiology of psychogenic erectile dysfunction in the spinal cord
AU - Sakamoto, Hirotaka
PY - 2010/11
Y1 - 2010/11
N2 - We recently reported a previously unknown peptidergic system within the lumbosacral spinal cord that uses gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) to trigger erection and ejaculation inmale rats. Many men suffering from stress, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder, report sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction in men suffering from stress and major depressive disorder is traditionally treated via psychological counseling. To determine whether acute severe stress could alter the male-specific GRP system, we used single prolonged stress (SPS) exposure in a putative rat model for PTSD. Exposure of male rats to SPS decreases the local content and the axonal distribution of GRP in the lower lumbar spinal cord and results in an attenuation of penile reflexes in vivo. Pharmacological stimulation of GRP receptors remarkably restores penile reflexes in SPS-exposed male rats and in castrated male rats. The administration of a GRP agonist to these animal models interestingly induces spontaneous ejaculation in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, although the circulating level of androgens is normal 1 week after SPS exposure, there is a significant decrease in the expression of androgen receptor protein in lumbar segments 3 and 4 of the spinal cord. This might make the spinal center less responsive to androgens. In this report, I review findings on a recently identified spinal GRP systemthat could be vulnerable to stress and that controls male reproductive function. This system provides new insights into the clinical treatment of psychogenic erectile dysfunction triggered by stress and psychiatric disorders.
AB - We recently reported a previously unknown peptidergic system within the lumbosacral spinal cord that uses gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) to trigger erection and ejaculation inmale rats. Many men suffering from stress, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder, report sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction in men suffering from stress and major depressive disorder is traditionally treated via psychological counseling. To determine whether acute severe stress could alter the male-specific GRP system, we used single prolonged stress (SPS) exposure in a putative rat model for PTSD. Exposure of male rats to SPS decreases the local content and the axonal distribution of GRP in the lower lumbar spinal cord and results in an attenuation of penile reflexes in vivo. Pharmacological stimulation of GRP receptors remarkably restores penile reflexes in SPS-exposed male rats and in castrated male rats. The administration of a GRP agonist to these animal models interestingly induces spontaneous ejaculation in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, although the circulating level of androgens is normal 1 week after SPS exposure, there is a significant decrease in the expression of androgen receptor protein in lumbar segments 3 and 4 of the spinal cord. This might make the spinal center less responsive to androgens. In this report, I review findings on a recently identified spinal GRP systemthat could be vulnerable to stress and that controls male reproductive function. This system provides new insights into the clinical treatment of psychogenic erectile dysfunction triggered by stress and psychiatric disorders.
KW - Ejaculation
KW - Erection
KW - Gastrin-releasing peptide
KW - Lumbar spinal cord
KW - Posttraumatic stress disorder
KW - Testosterone
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=78649415161&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=78649415161&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.2164/jandrol.110.010041
DO - 10.2164/jandrol.110.010041
M3 - Article
C2 - 20539039
AN - SCOPUS:78649415161
VL - 31
SP - 519
EP - 526
JO - Journal of Andrology
JF - Journal of Andrology
SN - 0196-3635
IS - 6
ER -