**7. Correction of sexual dysfunction of the males subjected to influence of selective cholinolytics in the early prenatal period**

The studies showed that rat males characterized by low sexual activity, were very sensitive to effects of agonists of the cholinergic and dopaminergic systems. The correction of sexual activity was observed only during the period of action of these drugs and did not appear in delayed period after treatment.

Experimental researches have shown that the rats males subjected to prenatal exposure of a ganglerone and characterized by low sexual activity, have appeared sensitive to effects of cholinergic and dopaminergic (tab. 4).


\*-p < 0.05 compared with control group.

110 Sexual Dysfunctions – Special Issue

gestation, with lowest values seen in the offspring of group G13 (2.4-fold decrease). There was also a significant decrease in the testosterone level in offspring subjected to prenatal exposure to methylbenactyzine in group M18. The LH and FSH levels in the blood of all

The hormonal-motivational component of sexual behavior of male rats is known to controlled at the central level by testosterone, which is metabolized to estradiol, while ejaculation is controlled at the peripheral level by the non-aromatized dihydrotestosterone and only partially by testosterone (Lisk, 1983). Low testosterone levels in G10–G13 offspring could therefore facilitate alterations in both the central motivational and the peripheral ejaculatory components of sexual behavior. The reduced testosterone level in G10–G18 offspring correlated with low sexual activity and, conversely, numbers of the sexually more

active males of groups M10–M18 had higher testosterone levels.

**\***

groups were increased.

**G-10**

delayed period after treatment.

**G-13**

**Control**

**0**

**1**

**2**

**3**

**nmol/l**

**4**

**5**

**6**

**G-18**

**\***

**\* \***

**Testosterone**

ability of males to mate and produce offspring.

**selective cholinolytics in the early prenatal period** 

**М-10**

**М-13**

**М-18**

**Control**

Fig. 8. Serum Testosterone, LH and FSH levels in two-month-old rat offspring exposed to ganglerone or methylbenactyzine at different periods of prenatal development. \*p < 0.05

Thus, along with neuronal factors, changes in the hormonal background probably represent a further cause of impairments to sexual functions in offspring subjected to prenatal exposure to central cholinolytics. Reproductive impairments induced by damage to the neuroendocrine and neurotransmitter systems during the fetal period of ontogenesis due to prenatal exposure to cholinolytics may in later life become the cause of impairments to the

**7. Correction of sexual dysfunction of the males subjected to influence of** 

The studies showed that rat males characterized by low sexual activity, were very sensitive to effects of agonists of the cholinergic and dopaminergic systems. The correction of sexual activity was observed only during the period of action of these drugs and did not appear in

**0,0**

compared with control group. For further details see caption to Fig. 1.

**0,4**

**0,8**

**IU/l**

**1,2**

**1,6**

**2,0**

**G-10**

**G-13**

**G-18**

**М**

**-10**

**М-13**

**М-18**

**Control**

**LH FSH**

**G-10**

**G-13**

**G-18**

**М-10**

**М-13**

**М-18**

Note: The sexual activity is recorded in 1 hour after an injection and for 7 days of an afteraction of drugs.

Table 4. Parameters of sexual behavior in the mature male rats subjected to prenatal exposure to ganglerone on 12-14 day of gestation (G13 group) before and after application of the agents. (M±m).

Cholinomimetic drug arecoline (2 mg/kg), galantamine with a ganglerone (accordingly, 1mg/kg and 5 mg/kg) and agonist of D1,D2-dopaminergic receptors apomorphinum (1 mg/kg) considerably enhanced sexual function. Components of sexual function - mounts, intromissions and ejaculations after pharmacological correction were high enough though did not reach in certain cases indexes of sexual behavior of control offspring. On the contrary, time components of a sexual behavior specified about sufficient high degree of sexual activation, including motivation enchancement.

In spite of significant enchancement of the sexual function, the obtained data have shown that correction of sexual activity descended only during the period of drugs action - within 1 days. For 7 day after introduction of stimulating drugs quantitative and qualitative characteristics of rats male sexual behavior were reverted on initial level.

Development of Male Sexual Function After Prenatal Modulation of Cholinergic System 113

 The most significant effect of ganglerone administration on neurotransmitter development was noted on 10-13 days of gestation when it led to decrease of synaptic activity of transmitter systems and growth of dopaminergic activity in the hippocampus and hypothalamus of 2-month-old rats offspring in comparison with

 Change of hormonal background and significant decrease of the testosterone level in comparison with control offsprings' group is one of the causes of the reduced sexual function at the offspring subjected to prenatal ganglerone exposure. Low level of testosterone correlated with low sexual activity and high quantity of sexually inactive

 Pharmacological correction of the reduced sexual activity descends only during a period of action of stimulating drugs. For 7 days after administration of stimulating drugs quantitative and qualitative characteristics of sexuality of rats males were

Thus, administration of cholinergic drugs to rats in the prenatal period produces prolonged influence on the neurotransmitters level, sexual hormones and sexual activity in adulthood. The reproductive problems caused by injuries of neuroendocrine system during the fetal period can compromise the later success of mating as well as the capacity to generate

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was detected.

control group.

males in the same groups.

reverted on basic level.

descendants.

**9. References** 

121-125.

Vol.16, pp. 905–908..

Vol.917, No.2, pp. 225-229.

participating in regulation of behavioral and neuroendocrinal functions of organism

Prenatal exposure of cholinolytics also promoted appearance of high sensitivity of sexual function of offspring to effects of antagonists cholinergic and dopaminergic systems. The methylbenactyzine (3 mg/kg) and haloperidolum (0,5 mg/kg) in the doses depressing sexual activity of intact rats only to 50 %, completely quenched implication of sexual function at offspring G10, G13 and M10 groups.

Thus, the research results show that sexual dysfunction of the offspring subjected to prenatal exposure of M- and N-cholinolytics is a persistent sexual function abnormality that demands long courses of pathogenetic treatment.
