Prostate-derived IL-1β upregulates expression of NMDA receptor in the paraventricular nucleus and shortens ejaculation latency in rats with experimental autoimmune prostatitis / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP)-induced persistent inflammatory immune response can significantly upregulate the expression of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). However, the mechanism has not yet been elucidated. Herein, we screened out the target prostate-derived inflammation cytokines (PDICs) by comparing the inflammatory cytokine levels in peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) between EAP rats and their controls. After identifying the target PDIC, qualified males in initial copulatory behavior testing (CBT) were subjected to implanting tubes onto bilateral PVN. Next, they were randomly divided into four subgroups (EAP-1, EAP-2, Control-1, and Control-2). After 1-week recovery, EAP-1 rats were microinjected with the target PDIC inhibitor, Control-1 rats were microinjected with the target PDIC, while the EAP-2 and Control-2 subgroups were only treated with the same amount of artificial CSF (aCSF). Results showed that only interleukin-1β(IL-1β) had significantly increased mRNA-expression in the prostate of EAP rats compared to the controls (P < 0.001) and significantly higher protein concentrations in both the serum (P = 0.001) and CSF (P < 0.001) of the EAP groups compared to the Control groups. Therefore, IL-1β was identified as the target PDIC which crosses the blood-brain barrier, thereby influencing the central nervous system. Moreover, the EAP-1 subgroup displayed a gradually prolonged ejaculation latency (EL) in the last three CBTs (all P < 0.01) and a significantly lower expression of NMDA NR1 subunit in the PVN (P = 0.043) compared to the respective control groups after a 10-day central administration of IL-1β inhibitors. However, the Control-1 subgroup showed a gradually shortened EL (P < 0.01) and a significantly higher NR1 expression (P = 0.004) after homochronous IL-1β administration. Therefore, we identified IL-1β as the primary PDIC which shortens EL in EAP rats. However, further studies should be conducted to elucidate the specific molecular mechanisms through which IL-1β upregulates NMDA expression.

Risk factors of postoperative sexual function in patients with urethral diverticulum and their partners: A cohort study of 83 women

ABSTRACT Introduction and Objective: Several studies have focused on the treatment and recurrence of urethral diverticulum (UD). However, few investigations have addressed sexual function in patients with UD. Therefore, we sought to examine sexual function in women affected by UD. Materials and Methods: There were 108 accepted cases involving transvaginal diverticulectomy at our institution. Ultimately, 83 women were included for further analysis, only 61 of these women had sexual partners. We collected data for the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) from the female patients and the Male Sexual Health Questionnaire (MSHQ) from their male partners before and after surgery. Results: Preoperatively, the UD size affected the female patient's arousal and lubrication (p=0.04), and the UD location affected their satisfaction. However, no significant between-group differences were found in the total FSFI score. For all women, sexual activity improved after surgery (p=0.0087). In addition to improvements in arousal for women with a large UD, improvements in lubrication were affected by the UD size, number and shape, increases in satisfaction scores were impacted by the UD location and shape, and pain relief was linked to the UD number and shape. Analysis of the MSHQ results revealed no between-group differences among the male partners. Conclusion: Only the UD size and location affected sexual function in women with a small UD. Surgery could improve female sexual function but did not affect the sexual function of the patient's partners.

Impact of overactive bladder on retrograde ejaculation

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the impact of overactive bladder disorder on patients diagnosed with retrograde ejaculation. Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis of prospective collected database made. Questionnaires conducted in urology polyclinics in five different centers. Main Outcome Measure(s): International Index of Erectile Function - 5 (IIEF - 5), Overactive Bladder 8 - Question Awareness Tool (OAB - V8), urodynamics, semen analysis. The participants of the study were n = 120 patients. There was retrograde ejaculation (RE) in only n = 47 patients (non / minimal symptomatic patients), n = 73 patients had RE and overactive (OAB) complaints (symptomatic patients) and received anticholinergic treatment (trospium), n = 37 control group patients who only had OAB and received an anticholinergic. Results: While no difference was observed in overactive bladder examination and urodynamic values between the non / minimal symptomatic group and the symptomatic group (p > 0.05), sperm was detected and identified as fructose positive in post - ejaculation urine in the symptomatic group. Thus, it was possible to demonstrate the differences between symptomatic patients and non - symptomatic patients. Consequently, following three - month daily treatment with trospium 30 mg 2 x 1 in the control group and the symptomatic group, it was observed that an evident increase was observed in the sperm count and ejaculate volume in the symptomatic group and that no change was observed in the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This clinical study is the first of its kind in terms of revealing the coexistence of RE with OAB upon performing urodynamics and showing that treatment is possible in selected patients.

Differences in sympathetic nervous system activity and NMDA receptor levels within the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus in rats with differential ejaculatory behavior / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Differences in intravaginal ejaculation latency reflect normal biological variation, but the causes are poorly understood. Here, we investigated whether variation in ejaculation latency in an experimental rat model is related to altered sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity and expression of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN). Male rats were classified as "sluggish," "normal," and "rapid" ejaculators on the basis of ejaculation frequency during copulatory behavioral testing. The lumbar splanchnic nerve activity baselines in these groups were not significantly different at 1460 ± 480 mV, 1660 ± 600 mV, and 1680 ± 490 mV, respectively (P = 0.71). However, SNS sensitivity was remarkably different between the groups (P < 0.01), being 28.9% ± 8.1% in "sluggish," 48.4% ± 7.5% in "normal," and 88.7% ± 7.4% in "rapid" groups. Compared with "normal" ejaculators, the percentage of neurons expressing NMDA receptors in the PVN of "rapid" ejaculators was significantly higher, whereas it was significantly lower in "sluggish" ejaculators (P = 0.01). In addition, there was a positive correlation between the expression of NMDA receptors in the PVN and SNS sensitivity (r = 0.876, P = 0.02). This study shows that intravaginal ejaculatory latency is associated with SNS activity and is mediated by NMDA receptors in the PVN.

Effect of tadalafil 5mg daily treatment on the ejaculatory times, lower urinary tract symptoms and erectile function in patients with erectile dysfunction

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the effect of a 5mg daily tadalafil treatment on the ejaculation time, erectile function and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in patients with erectile dysfunction. Materials and Methods A total of 60 patients diagnosed with erectile dysfunction were retrospectively evaluated using the international index of erectile function questionnaire-5 (IIEF-5), intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) and international prostate symptoms scores (IPSS). After the patients were treated with 5mg tadalafil once a day for three months, their erection, ejaculation and LUTS were assessed again. The fasting levels of blood glucose, total testosterone, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol were measured. The independent-samples t-test was used to compare the pre- and post-treatment scores of the patients. Results The mean age of the 60 participants was 50.4±7.9 and the mean baseline serum total testosterone, total cholesterol, and fasting blood sugar were 444.6±178.6ng dL-1, 188.7±29.6mg/dL-1,104 (80-360) mg dL-1, respectively. The mean baseline scores were 2.2±1.4 min for IELT, 9.5±3.7 for IIEF-5 and 14.1±4.5 for IPSS. Following the three-month daily 5mg tadalafil treatment, the scores were found to be 3.4±1.9 min, 16.1±4.7, and 10.4±3.8 for IELT, IIEF and IPSS, respectively. When the baseline and post-treatment scores were compared, a statistically significant increase was observed in the IELTs and IIEF-5 values whereas there was a significant decrease in IPSS (p<0.01). Conclusion A daily dose of 5mg tadalafil can be safely used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction and LUTS, that prolongs the ejaculatory latency time.

Effect of ejaculation on serum prostate-specific antigen concentration

ABSTRACT Abstract Purpose:To evaluate the effect of ejaculation on serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentrations in patients with lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS). Materials and Methods Our study includes 98 men (62 study and 36 control). After three days of sexual abstinence, blood samples were drawn for the measurement of baseline PSA levels. Then the patients were told to ejaculate. One, 5, 24 and 72 hours after ejaculation, serum total (tPSA), free (fPSA) and complexed PSA (cPSA) levels were measured. Serum PSA sampling was performed at the same intervals in the control group without ejaculation. Results The mean age in study and control groups patients were 59.03±0.99 years, 61.14±1.30 years, respectively. In the study group, changes in tPSA and fPSA levels after ejaculation were found statistically significant while changes in cPSA levels and f/tPSA ratios were not significant (p=0.016, p=0.0003, p=0.176, and p=0.173, respectively). Baseline values showed significant differences with 1st and 5th hours. No significant changes in tPSA, fPSA, cPSA levels and f/tPSA values were found in control group (p=0.223, p=0.224, p=0.444, and p=0.718, respectively). The changes in the number of patients exceeding the cutoff values after ejaculation were not statistically significant for tPSA, cPSA, and f/tPSA ratio. Conclusions In this study, ejaculation increased tPSA and fPSA concentrations but it didn’t have a significant effect on serum cPSA levels and f/tPSA ratios. However, recent ejaculation may affect the biopsy indication at least near cut off PSA values. Further studies are needed to explain the mechanisms of alterations in the concentration of PSA.

Influencia de la abstinencia eyaculatoria en las características del espermiograma: revisión sistemática / Relationship between the duration of ejaculatory abstinence and sperm characteristics: systematic review of the literature

Antecedentes: La Organización Mundial de la Salud propone que el tiempo de abstinencia eyaculatorio óptimo para evaluar los parámetros seminales del espermiograma sea entre 2 y 7 días. Objetivo: Evaluar la evidencia científica para esta recomendación. Método: Se realizó esta revisión sistemática con el fin de evaluar la relación entre la duración de la abstinencia sexual y las características del espermiograma. Se realizó una búsqueda en las bases MEDLINE y PUBMED incluyendo artículos prospectivos y retrospectivos donde se informara la abstinencia eyaculatoria y que el informe del espermiograma cumpliera con los criterios de la OMS. Se descartaron aquellos que incluyera hombres con tratamientos hormonales o con diabetes mellitus. Resultados: Encontramos cuatro trabajos que cumplieron los criterios de selección. De su análisis se desprende que tanto el volumen seminal como la concentración espermática varió con el tiempo de abstinencia, pero no se encontraron diferencias significativas en los parámetros de motilidad ni en la frecuencia de morfologías normales. Conclusión: No encontramos evidencia que apoye la política actual de abstinencia eyaculatoria previo a la evaluación del espermiograma...

Background: The World Health Organization proposed an ejaculatory abstinence to evaluate seminal parameters of 2 to 7 days. Objective: Evaluate the scientific evidence for this recommendation. Methods: We performed a systematic review of the literature, in order to assess whether there is a relationship between the duration of ejaculatory abstinence and sperm characteristics. We performed a search in databases MEDLINE and PUBMED including articles reporting ejaculatory abstinence and that met the WHO criteria for seminal analysis. Exclusion criteria included hormonal treatment or diabetes mellitus. Results: Four articles met the inclusion criteria. They reported that both semen volume and sperm concentration differed significantly according to ejaculatory abstinence, however we found no evidence that neither motility parameters nor normal morphology depended on ejaculatory abstinence. Conclusion: We found no evidence to support 2-7 days ejaculatory abstinence prior to perform a semen analysis...

Intervenções psicossociais para ejaculação precoce / Psychosocial interventions for premature ejaculation

Introdução: Ejaculação precoce (EP) é uma disfunção sexual muito comum e com diferentes estimativas de prevalência, que variam de 3% a 20%. Apesar de problemas psicológicos estarem presentes na maioria dos casos de EP, como causa ou como consequência, pesquisas sobre os efeitos das abordagens psicológicas para EP não têm sido em geral controladas ou randomizadas e não têm tido acompanhamentode longo prazo.

Rat dorsal prostate is necessary for vaginal adhesion of the seminal plug and sperm motility in the uterine horns

The rat prostate comprises dorsal, ventral and lateral lobes that are morphologically and biochemically distinct. Lesions to these structures are expected to affect the quality of the ejaculate and male fertility. In experiment 1, we analyzed ejaculate parameters of males that had chemical lesions of the dorsal or ventral lobes. At pre-lesion and at 5 and 20 days post-lesion males were mated, and after ejaculation, seminal fluid and seminal plug were obtained from the mated females. In experiment 2, the ventral lobes were ablated, and the ejaculate was analyzed. In experiment 3, the fertility of males with chemically-lesioned dorsal lobes or ablation of the ventral lobes was evaluated. Chemical lesion of the dorsal lobe prevented the adhesion of the seminal plug to vaginal walls. When these males were tested at 5-days postlesion, no sperm were found in uterus, and at 20-days post-lesion, the few sperm encountered showed slow progressive motility. None of the females that mated with dorsal lobe-lesioned males became pregnant. However, chemical lesion or ablation of the ventral lobes did not affect ejaculate or fertility. Our results indicate that the dorsal prostatic lobes are indispensable for reproductive success in males, and define parameters of ejaculate with which fertility can be estimated.

O ejaculador precoce por ele mesmo: um estudo piloto / The premature ejaculator by himself: a pilot study

Objetivo: Avaliar autopercepção de portadores de ejaculação precoce (EP), repercussão da disfunção sobre desempenho e satisfação sexual do casal e benefícios esperados com o tratamento.Métodos: Foi desenvolvido instrumento para acessar os objetivos do estudo. Ejaculadores precoces maiores de 18 anos foram recrutados, até completar amostra. Testes qui-quadrado e exato de Fisher verificaram associações entre EP e variáveis categóricas. Teste ?t de Student? comparou médias das variáveis contínuas. Valores de p£0,05 foram considerados estatisticamente significantes.Resultados: A amostra foi constituída por 32 indivíduos, 53,1% com EP ao longo da vida (EPL) e 46,9% EP adquirida (EPA), para os quais a EP se caracteriza por: falta de controle (100,0% dos EPL 70,6% dos EPA), breve tempo intravaginal (66,7% e 52,9%) e preocupação em satisfazer a parceira (33,3% e 64,7%). Impactam a vida do paciente: falta de controle da ejaculação para 100,0% dos EPL e 94,2% dos EPA (p=0,53) pouco tempo de penetração 93,4% e 88,2% (p=0,63) sofrimento pessoal 86,7% e 94,1% (p = 0,45) insatisfação pessoal com o intercurso 86,7% e 76,5% (p=0,76) insatisfação da parceira 86,7% e 88,2% (p=0,99). Medicamento associado a psicoterapia foi o tratamento preferencial para 40,0% (EPL) e 35,3% (EPA). Mais controle ejaculatório, tempo dentro da vagina e satisfação da parceira são as principais expectativas quanto ao tratamento.Conclusão: Para portadores de EPL, controle e tempo intravaginal são as características mais importantes de EP, enquanto aqueles com EPA valorizam controle e satisfação da parceira. Os dois grupos preferem tratamento combinado (medicação e psicoterapia), ainda que essa preferência não seja consenso.

Ejaculação precoce ou rápida

É importante ressaltar que o tempo não é o único aspecto a ser considerado.A EP promove uma sensação de descontrole e causa um impacto negativo na vida do casal.O diagnóstico baseia-se no autorrelato e na história clínica.Na maior parte dos casos, a EP está relacionada a causas psicológicas:ansiedade,depressão,deficiência no apredizado sexual,temor de perder a ereção e etc.

Impact of infection on the secretory capacity of the male accessory glands

INTRODUCTION: Studies that compare the impact of different infectious entities of the male reproductive tract (MRT) on the male accessory gland function are controversial. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Semen analyses of 71 patients with proven infections of the MRT were compared with the results of 40 healthy non-infected volunteers. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to their diagnosis: chronic prostatitis NIH type II (n = 38), chronic epididymitis (n = 12), and chronic urethritis (n = 21). RESULTS: The bacteriological analysis revealed 9 different types of microorganisms, considered to be the etiological agents, isolated in different secretions, including: urine, expressed prostatic secretions, semen and urethral smears: E. Coli (n = 20), Klebsiella (n = 2), Proteus spp. (n = 1), Enterococcus (n = 20), Staphylococcus spp. (n = 1), M. tuberculosis (n = 2), N. gonorrhea (n = 8), Chlamydia tr. (n = 16) and, Ureaplasma urealyticum (n = 1). The infection group had significantly (p < 0.05) lower: semen volume, alpha-glucosidase, fructose, and zinc in seminal plasma and, higher pH than the control group. None of these parameters was sufficiently accurate in the ROC analysis to discriminate between infected and non-infected men. CONCLUSION: Proven bacterial infections of the MRT impact negatively on all the accessory gland function parameters evaluated in semen, suggesting impairment of the secretory capacity of the epididymis, seminal vesicles and prostate. These findings were associated with an infectious related significant increase of semen pH. None of the semen parameters evaluated can be suggested as a diagnostic tool for infection.

Trastornos de la conducta eyaculatoria (Tce) en una consulta privada de urosexología / Alterations of the ejaculatory behavior in a private urological practice

Objetivo: describir los trastornos de la conducta eyaculatoria que se presentan en una consulta urológica orientada a la sexología y unificar en grupos los diagnósticos relacionados con la eyaculación en la denominación única "Trastornos de la conducta eyaculatoria"(TCE). Materiales y métodos: estudio descriptivo a partir de una base de datos de 3460 pacientes atendidos entre el 8 de agosto de 1994 y el 3 de abril del 2008 en Medellín. Se dividió la población en tres grupos de TCE según el motivo de su consulta: trastornos eyaculatorios de volumen (hipoespermia vs hiperespermia), trastornos eyaculatorios de tiempo (eyaculación precoz vs retardada o aneyaculación), trastornos eyaculatorios de sensación (anorgasmia o eyaculación anhedónica vs eyaculación dolorosa). Adicionalmente el grupo de pacientes con eyaculación precoz se subdividió en eyaculación precoz primaria y secundaria según el momento en que comenzó su disfunción en la vida sexual. La investigación se hizo respetando los principios éticos, se guarda confidencialidad de la información y no se identifica a los pacientes. Los resultados se presentan en número absoluto y proporción y en media y desviación estándar según el tipo de variable. Conclusión: "Trastornos de la conducta eyaculatoria (TCE)" es un concepto apropiado para englobar diferentes diagnósticos relacionados con alteraciones de la eyaculación que se pueden dividir en tres grupos para su estudio: TCE de volumen, TCE de tiempo y TCE de sensación. Es posible que un grupo de TCE esté relacionado con un síndrome de isquemia o ateroesclerosis pélvica que tiene como componentes adicionales la disfunción eréctil (DE) y los síntomas urinarios bajos (SUBS). De los pacientes con eyaculación precoz, los secundarios tienen mayor posibilidad de pertenecer a los TCE relacionados con la edad como la isquemia pélvica. Para el futuro son necesarios estudios adicionales con diseñosmetodológicos más estrictos para comprender mejor esta enfermedad

Effect of sildenafil (Viagra®) on the genital reflexes of paradoxical sleep-deprived male rats

Since there is evidence that paradoxical sleep deprivation (PSD) elicits penile erection (PE) and ejaculation (EJ), and that the erectile response of rats is mediated by nitric oxide, the present study sought to extend the latter finding by assessing the effects of sildenafil on the genital reflexes of male Wistar rats subjected to PSD. We also determined the influence of sildenafil on hormone concentrations. In the first experiment, sildenafil at doses ranging from 0.08 to 0.32 mg/kg was administered intraperitoneally to rats that had been deprived of sleep for 4 days and to home cage controls (N = 8-10/group). The frequency of PE and EJ was measured for 60 min. PSD alone induced PE in 50 percent of the animals; however, a single injection of sildenafil did not significantly increase the percentage of rats displaying PE compared to PSD-saline or to home cage groups. PSD alone also induced spontaneous EJ, but this response was not potentiated by sildenafil in the dose range tested. Testosterone concentrations were significantly lower in PSD rats (137 ± 22 ng/dL) than in controls (365 ± 38 ng/dL), whereas progesterone (0.9 ± 0.1 vs 5.4 ± 1 ng/mL) and plasma dopamine (103.4 ± 30 vs 262.6 ± 77 pg/mL) increased. These changes did not occur after sildenafil treatment. The data show that although sildenafil did not alter the frequency of genital reflexes, it antagonized hormonal (testosterone and progesterone) and plasma dopamine changes induced by PSD. The stimulation of the genital reflexes by sildenafil did not result in potentiating effects in PSD rats.

Brain areas activated after ejaculation in healthy young human subjects.

Brain mechanisms for the refractory period that characteristically follows ejaculation in animals and human are poorly understood. The possibility of active inhibition of brain areas being responsible for the post-ejaculatory inhibitory state has not been ruled out. Using Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) we have mapped brain areas in healthy young volunteers immediately after ejaculation. Functional imaging of the brain for 30 minutes beginning after three minutes of ejaculation induced by masturbation showed spatio-temporal activation in amygdala, temporal lobes and septal areas. The septal areas were observed to be active for a shorter duration than the amygdala and the temporal lobe. Thus the temporal sequence of involvement of the above neural structures may contribute to temporary inhibition of sexual arousal/penile erection during the post-ejaculatory refractory period in humans.

Disfunção erétil: resultados do estudo da vida sexual do brasileiro / Erectile dysfunction: results of the Brazilian sexual life study

OBJETIVO: Estimar a prevalência da disfunção erétil (DE) e fatores de risco associados em amostra da população brasileira. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com amostra de conveniência de 2.862 homens, maiores de 18 anos, por meio de questionário anônimo e auto-responsivo. A prevalência de DE na amostra foi obtida mediante questão global derivada diretamente da definição de DE. Os dados foram submetidos a testes Qui-quadrado e t de Student. Foram utilizadas análises de regressão logística para cálculos dos riscos. RESULTADOS: A prevalência encontrada de DE foi 45,1 por cento (31,2 por cento mínima, 12,2 por cento moderada e 1,7 por cento completa). Indivíduos com DE apresentaram comprometimento da auto-estima, dos relacionamentos interpessoais, menos relações sexuais por semana, mais relações extraconjugais, queixas de falta de desejo sexual e ejaculação rápida. Comparados aos homens com idades entre 18 e 39 anos, aqueles com 60 a 69 têm 2,2 (95 por cento IC; 1,4-3,4; p < 0,01) mais risco para DE, enquanto para aqueles com 70 anos ou mais, a chance triplica (95 por cento IC; 1,4-6,3; p < 0,01). Houve associação inversa entre nível educacional e risco para DE. Raça amarela, desemprego, alguma afiliação religiosa, história de tumor de próstata, hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS) e depressão aumentaram a chance para DE. CONCLUSÃO: A prevalência de DE é alta e comparável à de outros estudos. Homens com DE apresentam menos atividade sexual e prejuízo da qualidade de vida. Idade e condição socioeconômica precária agravam o risco para DE. Ações terapêuticas e preventivas devem ser implementadas para minimizar o impacto negativo desta condição, particularmente em países em desenvolvimento.

OBJETIVE: To estimate the prevalence of ED and related risk factors in a sample of the Brazilian male population. METHODS: Cross-sectional study was carried out with a convenience sample of 2,862 men, 18 years of age or older, using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. ED prevalence in the sample was obtained by a general question which was directly derived from the ED definition. Data were submitted to chi-square or Student's t tests. Logistic regression analyses were used for risk factor calculations. RESULTS: The prevalence of ED was 45.1 percent (31.2 percent mild, 12.2 percent moderate and 1.7 percent complete). Subjects with ED presented lower self-esteem, hindered interpersonal relationships, fewer sexual intercourses per week, more extra-marital relationships, complaints of lack of libido and premature ejaculation. When compared with men aged 18-39 years, men aged 60-69 presented 2.2 higher risk of ED (95 percent CI; 1.4-3.4; p < 0.01), whereas men aged 70 or older presented 3.0 higher risk of ED (95 percent CI; 1.4-6.3; p < 0.01). Level of education was inversely proportional to risk of ED. Yellow race, unemployment, religious affiliation, prostate tumor, hypertension and depression were variables that increased ED risk. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of ED was high and comparable to that found in other studies. Subjects with ED suffer from less sexual activity and poorer quality of life. Age and lower socioeconomic level are directly proportional to ED risk. Therapeutic and preventive measures should be implemented to minimize the negative impact of this condition, especially in developing countries.

Changes in the fecal concentrations of cortisol and androgen metabolites in captive male jaguars (Panthera onca) in response to stress

In the present study we determined the efficacy of the measurement of fecal cortisol and androgen metabolite concentrations to monitor adrenal and testicular activity in the jaguar (Panthera onca). Three captive male jaguars were chemically restrained and electroejaculated once or twice within a period of two months. Fecal samples were collected daily for 5 days before and 5 days after the procedure and stored at -20ºC until extraction. Variations in the concentrations of cortisol and androgen metabolites before and after the procedure were determined by solid phase cortisol and testosterone radioimmunoassay and feces dry weight was determined by drying at 37ºC for 24 h under vacuum. On four occasions, fecal cortisol metabolite levels were elevated above baseline (307.8 ± 17.5 ng/g dry feces) in the first fecal sample collected after the procedure (100 to 350 percent above baseline). On one occasion, we did not detect any variation. Mean (± SEM) fecal androgen concentration did not change after chemical restraint and electroejaculation (before: 131.1 ± 26.7, after: 213.7 ± 43.6 ng/g dry feces). These data show that determination of fecal cortisol and androgen metabolites can be very useful for a noninvasive assessment of animal well-being and as a complement to behavioral, physiological, and pathological studies. It can also be useful for the study of the relationship between adrenal activity and reproductive performance in the jaguar.