Document Detail


Ejaculatory abnormalities in mice lacking the gene for endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS-/-).
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  10549894     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Nitric oxide (NO) has been established as a neurotransmitter in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. Three isoforms of its synthetic enzyme, NO synthase (NOS), have been identified: 1) in the endothelial lining of blood vessels (eNOS), 2) an inducible form found in macrophages (iNOS), and 3) in neurons (nNOS). Previous studies using pharmacological agents that block all three isoforms of NOS have revealed that NO mediates several aspects of reproductive physiology and behavior, including anomalies in male sexual behavior and erectile function. To determine the specific contribution of the endothelial isoform of NOS in male reproductive behavior, we studied mice missing the gene for only eNOS (eNOS-/-). Wild-type (WT) and eNOS-/- animals were placed with an estrous WT female and observed for 45 min. Both WT and eNOS-/- mice displayed equivalent motivation to mount the stimulus female. However, eNOS-/- mice exhibited striking anomalies in ejaculatory function. A higher percentage of eNOS-/- than WT mice ejaculated during the testing period (p < 0.001). This increased propensity to ejaculate was apparently due to reduced stimulation required to elicit ejaculation; eNOS-/- mice required significantly fewer mounts (p < 0.003) and intromissions (p < 0.001) to ejaculate compared to WT mice. Taken together, these results suggest that NO synthesized by eNOS may be involved in ejaculatory physiology, but not sexual motivation.
Authors:
L J Kriegsfeld; G E Demas; P L Huang; A L Burnett; R J Nelson
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Physiology & behavior     Volume:  67     ISSN:  0031-9384     ISO Abbreviation:  Physiol. Behav.     Publication Date:  1999 Oct 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1999-12-13     Completed Date:  1999-12-13     Revised Date:  2007-11-14    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0151504     Medline TA:  Physiol Behav     Country:  UNITED STATES    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  561-6     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218-2686, USA.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Ejaculation / genetics*,  physiology*
Female
Male
Mice
Motivation
Mutation / physiology
Nitric Oxide Synthase / deficiency*,  genetics*
Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
Sexual Behavior, Animal / physiology
Grant Support
ID/Acronym/Agency:
DK02565-01/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS; MH57535/MH/NIMH NIH HHS; MH57760/MH/NIMH NIH HHS
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
EC 1.14.13.39/Nitric Oxide Synthase; EC 1.14.13.39/Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; EC 1.14.13.39/Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; EC 1.14.13.39/Nos3 protein, mouse

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