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•Chronic stress model was established by chronic CORT administration in adult male rats.•Chronic stress increased plasma CORT, decreased body weight, and increased anxiety ...behavior.•Chronic stress induced itch hypersensitivity and sexual dysfunction in rats similar to human.•We examined the association between chronic stress and two distinct spinal GRP systems.•Spinal somatosensory GRP system associated with chronic stress-induced itch hypersensitivity.
In today’s society, people are subjected to many social stressors, and excessive chronic stress causes functional disruption of the neuroendocrine system and many diseases. Although the exacerbation of atopic dermatitis with symptoms of itching and erectile dysfunction is induced by chronic stress, the details of the mechanisms are unknown. Here, we examined the effects of chronic stress on itch sensation and male sexual function at the behavioral and molecular levels, focusing on two distinct gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) systems that independently regulate itch transmission, i.e., the somatosensory GRP system, and male sexual function, i.e., the lumbosacral autonomic GRP system, in the spinal cord. In a rat model of chronic stress induced by chronic corticosterone (CORT) administration, we observed increased plasma CORT concentrations, decreased body weight, and increased anxiety-like behavior, similar to that observed in humans. Chronic CORT exposure induced hypersensitivity to itch and increased the Grp mRNA level in the spinal somatosensory system, but there was no change in pain or tactile sensitivity. Antagonists of the somatosensory GRP receptor, an itch-specific mediator, suppressed itch hypersensitivity induced by chronic CORT exposure. In contrast, chronic CORT exposure decreased male sexual behavior, ejaculated semen volume, vesicular gland weight, and plasma testosterone levels. However, there were no effects on the expression of Grp mRNA or protein in the lumbosacral autonomic GRP system, which regulates male sexual function. In summary, chronic stress model rats showed itch hypersensitivity and impaired sexual function in males, and the involvement of the spinal GRP systems was apparent in itch hypersensitivity.
Orgasm and ejaculation are two separate physiological processes that are sometimes difficult to distinguish. Orgasm is an intense transient peak sensation of intense pleasure creating an altered ...state of consciousness associated with reported physical changes. Antegrade ejaculation is a complex physiological process that is composed of two phases (emission and expulsion), and is influenced by intricate neurological and hormonal pathways. Despite the many published research projects dealing with the physiology of orgasm and ejaculation, much about this topic is still unknown. Ejaculatory dysfunction is a common disorder, and currently has no definitive cure. Understanding the complex physiology of orgasm and ejaculation allows the development of therapeutic targets for ejaculatory dysfunction. In this article, we summarize the current literature on the physiology of orgasm and ejaculation, starting with a brief description of the anatomy of sex organs and the physiology of erection. Then, we describe the physiology of orgasm and ejaculation detailing the neuronal, neurochemical, and hormonal control of the ejaculation process.
The development of aging-induced male-specific disorders is accelerated by impaired renal function. Although aging-induced male-specific disorders are clinically serious complications in individuals ...with reduced renal function, their practical management strategies remain obscure. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between daily behavioral and sleep patterns and aging-induced male-specific disorders in individuals with reduced renal function.
Eighty men with glomerular filtration rate stage 2–4 (age, 67 ± 9 years), sedentary behavior and physical activity were assessed using a triaxial accelerometer. The mean sleep time was calculated from the sleep time during the accelerometer measurement. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Aging-induced male-specific disorders were assessed using the Aging Males’ Symptoms Questionnaire (AMS).
A lower moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) time and a higher PSQI score were independently associated with a higher AMS score. Moreover, when the participants were divided into four groups according to the median MVPA values and the PSQI score (more or less than 6 points), the AMS score was the highest in those with a lower MVPA time and a higher PSQI score. In the mediation analysis, the PSQI score did not mediate a correlation between the MVPA time and AMS score. MVPA time also did not mediate a correlation between the PSQI and AMS scores.
Collectively, these findings suggest that increasing MVPA time and improving sleep quality may contribute to attenuating aging-induced male-specific disorders in individuals with reduced renal function.
•Aging-induced male-specific disorders are clinically serious complications in individuals with reduced renal function.•The physical activity time and sleep quality were independently associated with aging-induced male-specific disorders.•Our results may contribute to attenuating aging-induced male-specific disorders in those with reduced renal function.
Androgens/androgen receptor (AR) signaling is involved primarily in the development of male-specific phenotypes during embryogenesis, spermatogenesis, sexual behavior, and fertility during adult ...life. However, this signaling has also been shown to play an important role in development of female reproductive organs and their functions, such as ovarian folliculogenesis, embryonic implantation, and uterine and breast development. The establishment of the testicular feminization (Tfm) mouse model exploiting the X-linked Tfm mutation in mice has been a good in vivo tool for studying the human complete androgen insensitivity syndrome, but this mouse may not be the perfect in vivo model. Mouse models with various cell-specific AR knockout (ARKO) might allow us to study AR roles in individual types of cells in these male and female reproductive systems, although discrepancies are found in results between labs, probably due to using various Cre mice and/or knocking out AR in different AR domains. Nevertheless, no doubt exists that the continuous development of these ARKO mouse models and careful studies will provide information useful for understanding AR roles in reproductive systems of humans and may help us to develop more effective and more specific therapeutic approaches for reproductive system-related diseases.
Background
Obesity is a worldwide prevalent problem which negatively affects most of the human body systems. Male sexual dysfunction is a frequent problem in obese individuals. Nowadays, bariatric ...surgery is the most successful way for the management of morbid obesity. Recent research has concluded that it has a significant improving effect on sexual function.
Aim of the Study
This study aimed to assess the long-term effect of bariatric surgery on male sexual function.
Patients and Methods
Sixty-six male patients indicated for bariatric surgery were enrolled in this prospective study. Only forty-eight of them completed the study. Patients were invited to fill the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire twice, preoperatively (T1) and 12 months postoperatively (T2). Simultaneously, patients’ serum testosterone levels were assayed.
Results
At T2, the patients showed highly significant increase in the IIEF scores and the serum testosterone levels (p<0.001). Only weight and BMI were significant predictors of the IIEF scores. The same factors as well as the patients’ age were predictors of the serum testosterone levels.
Conclusion
Bariatric surgery improves male sexual health. It is associated with significant increase in IIEF score and serum testosterone levels.
Graphical abstract
Circumcision of males is commonly carried out worldwide for reasons of health, medical need, esthetics, tradition, or religion. Whether circumcision impairs or improves male sexual function or ...pleasure is controversial.
The study aims to conduct a systematic review of the scientific literature.
A systematic review of published articles retrieved using keyword searches of the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases was performed.
The main outcome measure is the assessment of findings in publications reporting original data relevant to the search terms and rating of quality of each study based on established criteria.
Searches identified 2,675 publications describing the effects of male circumcision on aspects of male sexual function, sensitivity, sensation, or satisfaction. Of these, 36 met our inclusion criteria of containing original data. Those studies reported a total of 40,473 men, including 19,542 uncircumcised and 20,931 circumcised. Rated by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network grading system, 2 were 1++ (high quality randomized controlled trials) and 34 were case-control or cohort studies (11 high quality: 2++; 10 well-conducted: 2+; 13 low quality: 2−). The 1++, 2++, and 2+ studies uniformly found that circumcision had no overall adverse effect on penile sensitivity, sexual arousal, sexual sensation, erectile function, premature ejaculation, ejaculatory latency, orgasm difficulties, sexual satisfaction, pleasure, or pain during penetration. Support for these conclusions was provided by a meta-analysis. Impairment in one or more parameters was reported in 10 of the 13 studies rated as 2−. These lower-quality studies contained flaws in study design (11), selection of cases and/or controls (5), statistical analysis (4), and/or data interpretation (6); five had multiple problems.
The highest-quality studies suggest that medical male circumcision has no adverse effect on sexual function, sensitivity, sexual sensation, or satisfaction. Morris BJ and Krieger JN. Does male circumcision affect sexual function, sensitivity, or satisfaction?—A systematic review. J Sex Med 2013;10:2644–2657.
In recent years, the assessment of erectile dysfunction (ED) has experienced a paradigm shift from objective, quantitative methods to subjective, qualitative patient-reported outcomes. Facilitated by ...this shift is the ongoing debate on questionnaire selection and need for standardization, particularly among sexual medicine specialists.
To review current literature on assessment of erectile function via patient-reported outcomes and discuss the context, advantages, and limitations of currently available questionnaires.
A thorough literature search of erectile function questionnaires developed from 1990 through 2019 was carried out using 3 methods: a search of the MedLine databases; hand-search of peer-reviewed urologic, sexual medicine, and health policy journals; and expert review. The following keywords were used: assessment of, inventory, questionnaire, or validated measure; in combination with: sexual function or erectile function. Measures were stratified into one of the following 3 groups: screening, outcome, or disease-specific. 3 screening measures (International Index of Erectile Function, the Male Sexual Health Questionnaire, and Brief Male Sexual Inventory); 5 outcome measures (Sexual Health Inventory for Men, Erection Hardness Score, Erectile Dysfunction Inventory for Treatment and Satisfaction, and Treatment Satisfaction Scale); and 3 categories of disease-specific measures (cancer, Peyronie's disease, and spinal cord injury) were included.
Strengths, limitations, and valid uses of each erectile function questionnaire.
There currently exists a wide variety of screening, outcome, and disease-specific measures for ED diagnosis, assessment, and treatment. Rigor of psychometric validation varies greatly across studies. However, depending on purpose of use, all abovementioned questionnaires have merit for use in clinical practice, are nonredundant, and can complement and supplement one another.
Before choosing a specific measure for ED diagnosis, assessment, or treatment, there must be careful consideration of the questionnaire's psychometric properties, context of validation, and its possible limitations.
The patient reported outcome measures highlighted in this article complement and supplement one another, as each emphasizes a related yet distinct central theme. During selection for use in clinical practice and research studies, special attention needs to be paid to the context, strengths, and weaknesses of each measure.
When used conscientiously, patient-reported questionnaires can significantly optimize patient management. Yafi FA, Huynh LM, Ahlering T, et al. What Is a "Validated Questionnaire"? A Critical Review of Erectile Function Assessment. J Sex Med 2020;17:849-860.
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