Sucrose exposure during gestation lactation and postweaning periods increases the pubococcygeus muscle reflex activity in adult male rats.

Erectile dysfunction is related to metabolic alterations produced by a high carbohydrate diet, which may affect muscle activity during penile reflex in adulthood. We determined whether sucrose water consumption during gestation lactation and postweaning affects pubococcygeus muscle (Pcm) activity during urethrogenital reflex in adult male rat offspring. Twelve female rats were mated and grouped in control mothers consumed tap water and sucrose mothers consumed sucrose water during gestation lactation. Male pups were weaned and assigned into four groups (n = 6 each): those from control mothers who continued drinking tap water (CM-CO group) or sucrose water (CM-SO group) until adult life, and those from sucrose mothers who drank tap water (SM-CO group) or continued drinking sucrose water (SM-SO group) until adult life. Body weight, Pcm activity during penile stimulation by bipolar electrodes and urethrogenital reflex were analyzed. A catheter was placed into the urethra to record variations in urethral pressure after mechanical stimulation. Two-way ANOVA followed by post hoc tests were used considering P ≤ 0.05 as a significant difference. Males from the SM-SO group showed weight gain compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Also, sucrose intake promoted high Pcm activity (P < 0.0001) but reduced urethrogenital reflex duration CM-CO vs CM-SO (P = 0.02); CM-CO vs SM-CO (P = 0.01); CM-SO vs SM-SO (P < 0.003); and SM-CO vs SM-SO (P < 0.002). Our results suggest that a combination of a sucrose-rich diet during gestation lactation and postweaning modifies Pcm activation during penile reflex. The urethrogenital reflex is a spinal ejaculatory-like reflex, these rats could have penile dysfunction equivalent to premature ejaculation in men.

Histomorphological testicular changes and decrease in the sperm count in pubertal rats induced by a high-sugar diet.

BACKGROUND: During childhood and adolescence, excessive food consumption stimulates adipose tissue expansion promoting overweight in humans, and mice. A high-sucrose diet is related to obesity and metabolic syndrome. Infertility is commonly related to these pathologies. We aim to evaluate possible histomorphological testicular changes induced by a high-sucrose diet on sperm count during the post-weaning period. METHODS: Wistar male rats aged 21 days, weaned, were randomly assigned into two groups: control (fed and hydrated normally) and sugar group (fed normally but hydrated with a solution containing 30% of diluted sucrose during 30 days). At the pubertal age of 51 days, animals were killed and blood samples were taken to measure testosterone and leptin. Testicles were collected and gonadal adipose tissue and semen samples from the epididymis were excised. Testicle samples were used for morphological description using H&E staining, as well as to quantify the triacylglycerol content and the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) expression. Semen samples were used to assess motility, viability, and sperm count. RESULTS: The sugar group presented an increase in the testicular weight, but a reduction in the cross-sectional area of seminiferous tubules. Moreover, disorganization of Sertoli cells and spermatogonia, an increase in the LDH expression within the entire seminiferous tubule, and a reduced sperm count and spermatozoid motility were found. These alterations were accompanied by high serum levels of testosterone and leptin. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate strong damage of testis by sugar consumption during early life that may lead to the onset of infertility in adulthood.

Hormonal Treatment Effects on the Cross-sectional Area of Pubococcygeus Muscle Fibers After Denervation and Castration in Male Rats.

We explore the interaction of muscle innervation and gonadal hormone action in the pubococcygeus muscle (Pcm) after castration and hormone replacement. Male Wistar rats were castrated and the Pcm was unilaterally denervated; after 2 or 6 weeks, the cross-sectional area (CSA) of Pcm fibers was assessed. Additional groups of castrated rats were used to examine the effects of hormone replacement. At 2 weeks post surgeries, rats were implanted with Silastic capsules containing either dihydrotestosterone (DHT), estradiol benzoate (EB) or both hormones, and the CSA of Pcm fibers was assessed after 4 weeks of hormone treatment. At 2 weeks post surgeries, gonadectomy without hormone replacement resulted in reductions in the CSA of Pcm fibers, and denervation combined with castration increased the magnitude of this effect; further reductions in CSA were present at 6 weeks post surgeries, but again denervation combined with castration increased the magnitude of this effect. Hormone replacement with DHT resulted in hypertrophy in the CSA of nondenervated muscles compared to those of intact normal males, but this effect was attenuated in denervated muscles. Hormone replacement with EB treatment prevented further castration-induced reductions in CSA of nondenervated muscles, but denervation prevented this effect. Similar to that seen with treatment with EB alone, combined treatment with both DHT and EB prevented further reductions in CSA of Pcm fibers in nondenervated muscles, but again denervation attenuated this effect. Thus, while hormone replacement can reverse or prevent further castration-induced atrophy of Pcm fibers, these effects are dependent on muscle innervation. Anat Rec, 300:1327-1335, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.