Effect of Androgen on Nitric Oxide Synthase Positive Neurons in the Medial Preoptic Area

    January 2003 in “ Zhonghua shiyan waike zazhi ”
    HU Li-qua
    TLDR Androgen, especially DHT, is crucial for erectile function in rats by affecting specific brain neurons.
    The study investigated the effect of androgen on erectile function and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) positive neurons in the medial preoptic area (MPOA) using male Sprague-Dawley rats divided into four groups. Results showed that castration and finasteride administration significantly reduced non-contact erection times compared to sham-operated and testosterone-replenished groups. Two months after castration and finasteride treatment, NOS positive neurons in the MPOA were significantly reduced, while no significant differences were observed in other brain regions. The study concluded that erectile function in rats was dependent on androgen, with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) being the major androgen responsible for these effects, potentially through actions on NOS positive neurons in the MPOA.
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