Effect of sexual excitation on testosterone and nitric oxide levels of water buffalo bulls ( Bubalus bubalis ) with different categories of sexual behavior and their correlation with each other

Factors Affecting the Re-Endothelialization of Endothelial Progenitor Cell

The vascular endothelium, which plays an essential role in maintaining the normal shape and function of blood vessels, is a natural barrier between the circulating blood and the vascular wall tissue. The endothelial damage can cause vascular lesions, such as atherosclerosis and restenosis. After the vascular intima injury, the body starts the endothelial repair (re-endothelialization) to inhibit the neointimal hyperplasia. Endothelial progenitor cell is the precursor of endothelial cells and plays an important role in the vascular re-endothelialization. However, re-endothelialization is inevitably affected in vivo and in vitro by factors, which can be divided into two types, namely, promotion and inhibition, and act on different links of the vascular re-endothelialization. This article reviews these factors and related mechanisms.

Effect of adding different concentrations of L-arginine to Tris-yolk extender on the quality of sub-fertile ejaculates in buffalo

To investigate the effect of supplementation of L-arginine (AR) on sub-fertile buffalo-bulls' ejaculates, 25 ejaculates of poor motility (40 to 55%) were collected by artificial vagina from 5 buffalo-bulls and extended with Tris-yolk extender (1:10) supplemented with different concentrations of AR (0, 3, 4, 5, and 6 mM). Semen was cooled gradually to 4 °C within 2 h and incubated at 4 °C for additional 2 h. Incubated semen samples were evaluated by computer-assisted semen analysis. Results showed that addition of 5 mM AR increased (P < 0.05) total sperm motility and rapid progressive motility percentages, while decreased (P < 0.05) non-motile sperm and static sperm percentages compared with AR-free (control) extender. Increasing the AR level to 6 mM increased (P < 0.05) the percentages of sperm progressive motility and rapid and slow progressive motilities, while decreased (P < 0.05) the non-progressive sperm motility percentages compared with AR-free extender. Supplementation of 5 mM AR improved (P < 0.05) sperm straight linear, curve linear, and average path velocities (36 ± 0.13, 20.6 ± 5.3, and 33.2 ± 8.5, respectively) in comparing with control and other AR treatments. Addition of AR (5 and 6 mM) improved (P < 0.05) the percentages of vitality (89.8 ± 1.9 and 80.0 ± 3.4, respectively), normality (44.3 ± 3.6 and 44.8 ± 1.5, respectively), and functional sperm (20.4 ± 8.6 and 21.0 ± 0.61, respectively), and decreased abnormal neck and tail percentages compared with AR-free extender. All AR levels decreased (P < 0.05) the abnormal neck and tail percentages. Addition of all AR levels had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on the activity of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase in semen extender. Supplementation of Tris-yolk extender with L-arginine (5 or 6 mM) can improve sperm motility, velocity, vitality, and functional sperm and can decrease tail and neck abnormalities of sub-fertile buffalo ejaculate after 4 h incubation at cool temperature.

Effects of combined extracts of Lepidium meyenii and Allium tuberosum Rottl. on erectile dysfunction

BACKGROUND

Sexual problems are widespread and adversely affect the interpersonal relationships and the quality of life. Currently, synthetic drugs improving sexual function are available, but expenditures for such agents are extremely high. To discover relatively inexpensive, widely available and effective natural drugs, we identified a combined extracts from Lepidium meyenii (maca) root and Allium tuberosum Rottl. (Chinese chive) seed, assessed the effects of this combined extracts on erectile dysfunction, and explored its potential mechanisms.

METHODS

The extracts were obtained via supercritical fluid extraction. Male BALB/c mice received doses of extract from single plant or the combined extracts (200 mg/kg) by gastric gavage for 14 d, and Viagra was used as the positive control drug. Sexual behaviour was observed, and concentrations of serum testosterone, nitric oxide (NO), and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in serum as well as in penis were measured. In addition, weights of genital organs were also measured.

RESULTS

The combined extracts of maca root and Chinese chive seed (1:1, w/w) had a 45-fold increase in macamide content compared with maca extract. It also led to significantly higher ejaculation frequency (P < 0.05) than single extract from maca root or Chinese chive seed, with no corresponding effect on genital indices. In addition, the NO level in serum (P < 0.01) and penis (P < 0.05) increased notably, as well as the level of cGMP in penis (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated that the combined extracts produced better synergistic effects on male sexual function than maca extract or Chinese chive extract alone. These positive effects may involve the upregulation of NO and cGMP concentrations in penis.

Isolation and identification of nucleosides/nucleotides raising testosterone and NO levels of mice serum from Chinese chive (Allium tuberosum) leaves

Our previous study found that Chinese chive could significantly (p < 0.01) raise testosterone and nitric oxide (NO) levels in mice serum. However, the specific functional components of this traditional remedy are still unknown. In order to isolate and identify the active constituents from Chinese chive for enhancing testosterone and NO levels, the Chinese chive leaves were extracted by petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water respectively. Results indicated that the n-butanol extract had a significant effect on NO and testosterone blood levels. Subsequently, n-butanol extract was further isolated by D101 macroporous adsorption and eluted with 50% ethanol and then isolated by Sephadex LH-20 and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography to obtain nucleosides. The fraction eluted with 70% ethanol was further isolated by RP-18 and pre-HPLC to obtain nucleotides. Four novel compounds were identified, and their effects on testosterone and NO levels of male mice were evaluated. Results showed that nucleotides, especially the adenosine in Chinese chive leaves, increased serum testosterone and NO levels in male mice, which had not been reported before. This finding might bring into perspective the treatment strategy for those doctors who treat hormone deficiencies, and might be suitable for using in functional food.