Authors: YingLi Lu B R Jiang F Z Xia H L Zhai Y Chen J Yu L J Zhao N J Wang J Qiao L Z Yang
Publish Date: 2010/04/30
Volume: 34, Issue: 2, Pages: 111-116
Abstract
Aim To investigate the influence of low androgen levels and highfat diet on the structure of pituitary and penis in male rats Methods Tenweekold adult male SpragueDawley rats were randomly divided into 2 groups one fed a highfat diet the other fed a normal diet each group consisted of 3 subgroups controls castrated rats with low androgen and castrated rats given undecanoate replenishment After 11 weeks the structure of pituitary and penis were observed under light microcopy Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the expression of FSH in pituitary and cyclooxygenase2 COX2 in corpora cavernosa penis Results The structures of pituitary and penis in castrated rats were injured and were more damaged in castration together with highfat diet Immunohistochemistry showed FSH expression in castrated rats pituitary while castrated rats on a highfat diet had less positive staining than those on a normal diet Vascular structure of corpora cavernosa penis showed a strongly positive COX2 expression in highfat diet rats Conclusions Castration and highfat diet could induce structural damages of pituitary and penis in male rats Replacement with testosterone could partially restore the impaired structure The positive expression of COX2 implied inflammatory pathway existence on vascular structure of penis in highfat diet and lowandrogen male rats
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