Women and diabetes

Chronic moderate hyperglycemia does not alter sexual motivation in the female rat

The relationship between diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) and sexual desire in women has not been systematically studied, therefore, animal models have been used for this purpose. When streptozotocin (STZ) is administered in the neonatal stage, the rat shows moderate chronic hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance in adulthood, resembling a DM2 model. These females show less alterations of sexual behavior (a slight decreased proceptivity and loss of paced mating) than their counterpart with severe hyperglycemia. However, the motivational components of copulation in female rats in this DM2 model have not been examined. The aim of this study was to evaluate female sexual motivation in a model of DM2 in three behavioral paradigms: the partner preference (PP), the sexual incentive motivation (SIM) and the odor preference test (OPT) tests. Neonatal females (3-4 days) were administered with streptozotocin (STZ, 70 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) or citrate buffer. At week 8, a glucose tolerance test was performed, females with blood glucose levels ≥ 250 mg/dl 60 min after a sucrose load (2 g/kg) were considered for the study. Behavioral tests were conducted at week 12, when the females were in natural proestrus. For PP we registered the time in each compartment and the sexual behavior, while in the SIM test, we calculated the time the females remained in each incentive zone. In these tests a castrated male and a sexually experienced male were used as stimuli. In OPT we evaluated the time the females spent sniffing the sawdust coming from cages housing these stimuli. In the PP and OPT hyperglycemic females behave similarly than controls, i.e., they retain a preference for sexually active males. In the SIM test there was a decrease in the time the hyperglycemic females remain in the vicinity of the sexually expert male. Data are discussed on the bases of the accessibility of the females to the stimuli.

Does Chronic Hyperglycemia Affect Female Rat Sexual Behavior? Differences in Paced and Non-Paced Mating

INTRODUCTION

Diabetes mellitus has been associated with sexual dysfunction; however, in women this relationship is controversial. A study using a model of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) failed to find a reduced receptivity in the non-paced mating (NPM), but the appetitive aspects of female sexual behavior have not been evaluated, for example, in the paced mating (PM) paradigm.

AIM

To evaluate all components of female sexual behavior (in NPM and PM) in a model of DM2 using ovariectomized (OVX) (treated with steroids) or intact female rats (non-OVX) in natural proestrus.

METHODS

Neonatal females (3-4 days) were administered streptozotocin (STZ, 70 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) or citrate buffer. At week 8, a glucose tolerance test was performed. At week 10, half of the females were OVX, and in the other half (non-OVX) the estrous cycle was monitored. At the twelfth week, the sexual behavior tests were conducted; OVX females were treated with estradiol benzoate (10 μg, -24 hours) and progesterone (3 mg, -4 hours), whereas the non-OVX were evaluated on vaginal proestrus.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

We registered in NPM and PM receptivity (lordosis quotient and intensity), as well as the number of proceptive and aggressive behaviors. Additionally, in PM we calculated the percentage of exits and the return latencies after receiving stimulation and the time the female remained in the male's compartment.

RESULTS

The STZ-treated females presented glucose intolerance and were hyperglycemic. Neonatal STZ treatment provoked changes in the females' sexual behavior depending on the paradigm and the hormonal condition. In the NPM, STZ-OVX females had decreased lordosis quotient and intensity and increased aggression, whereas, in the STZ-non-OVX females, there was a decrease in proceptivity; such changes were not observed in PM. Regardless of whether the STZ-treated females were OVX, they failed to perform the pacing behavior.

CLINICAL IMPLICATION

These data support the idea that chronic mild hyperglycemia, like that observed in DM2 (which represents 90% of the clinical cases), provokes marginal changes in most aspects of female sexual behavior.

STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS

The main strength of this work is the evaluation of consummatory and motivational aspects of female sexual behavior in a model of DM2. The main limitation is the duration of the experimental design that does not resemble the course of the disease in humans. No histologic or biochemical analyses were performed.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that chronic hyperglycemia produces decreases in sexual behavior. Hernández-Munive AK, Rebolledo-Solleiro D, Fernández-Guasti A. Does Chronic Hyperglycemia Affect Female Rat Sexual Behavior? Differences in Paced and Non-Paced Mating. J Sex Med 2019;16:1130-1142.

The Relationship between Physical Activity and General Health among Menopausal Women in Ahvaz, Iran

Introduction

Most women experience significant changes in their general health status during menopause, which negatively affects their quality of life. Physical activity has also been shown to enhance quality of life. However, little is known about the effect of physical activity on women’s health during the menopausal transition. This study aimed to determine the relationship between physical activity and general health among menopausal women in Ahvaz, Iran.

Methods

This cross sectional study was carried out on 600 menopausal women using cluster random sampling during 2013–2014. Data collection tools were three questionnaires; women’s demographic characteristics, the Goldenberg’s questionnaire, and International physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics through SPSS version 19. The statistical tests were performed at the 95% confidence interval.

Results

There was a significant relationship between the total score of physical activity and physical health, social functioning, anxiety and depression (p<0.05), but no significant relationship was found between subscales related to physical activity and general health (p>0.05).

Conclusion

Physical activity is effective in improving general health in menopausal women. Proper training and effective interventions for regular physical activity can be important steps to promote the general health of menopausal women.

Physical activity, menopause, and quality of life: the role of affect and self-worth across time

OBJECTIVE

Physical activity has been shown to enhance quality of life (QOL); however, few investigations of these effects exist in women undergoing the menopausal transition. The present study examined the long-term effects of physical activity on menopause-related QOL and tested the mediating effects of physical self-worth and positive affect in this relationship.

METHODS

Middle-aged women previously enrolled in a 4-month randomized controlled trial involving walking and yoga, and a control group completed a follow-up mail-in survey 2 years after the end of the trial. The survey included a battery of psychological and physical activity measures, including measures of menopausal symptoms and menopause-related QOL. Longitudinal linear panel analysis was conducted within a covariance modeling framework to test whether physical self-worth and positive affect mediated the physical activity-QOL relationship over time.

RESULTS

At the end of the trial, physical activity and menopausal symptoms were related to physical self-worth and positive affect, and in turn, greater levels of physical self-worth and positive affect were associated with higher levels of menopause-related QOL. Analyses indicated that increases in physical activity and decreases in menopausal symptoms over the 2-year period were related to increases in physical self-worth (betas = 0.23 and -0.52, physical activity and menopausal symptoms, respectively) and, for symptoms, also to decreased positive affect (beta = -0.47), and both physical self-worth (beta = 0.34) and affect (beta = 0.43) directly influenced enhancements in QOL (R = 0.775).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings support the position that the effects of physical activity on QOL are mediated, in part, by intermediate psychological outcomes and that physical activity can have long-term benefits for women undergoing the menopausal transition.