Partial and generalized seizures affect reproductive physiology differentially in the male rat

Reproductive dysfunction and endocrine disorders occur frequently among men with epilepsy. This study tested the hypothesis that focal limbic seizures and generalized seizures may both contribute to reproductive dysfunction.

The rat kindling model was used to mimic focal limbic seizures. Kindling electrodes were placed in the basolateral amygdala. Male rats were either intact, gonadectomized (GDX) or GDX + testosterone (T) replaced and then kindled. Controls were left intact and sham-kindled. Maximal electroconvulsive shock (MES) treatment was used to model generalized seizures, by using eight stimulations, one every other day, for 2.5 weeks. Animals were killed either 3 h or 6 weeks after MES treatment to determine short- and long-term effects.

Kindled seizures resulted in an increase in serum testosterone, estradiol, and prolactin in intact males, accompanied by a significant increase in testis, epididymis, and pituitary weight, as well as a significant decrease in prostate weight. MES treatment caused a short-term reduction in serum testosterone and testis, epididymis, and prostate weight. All parameters were restored to control values within 6 weeks of the last MES seizure, with the exception of pituitary weight and serum prolactin, which remained significantly elevated 6 weeks after MES treatment.

Our results indicate that both focal limbic (amygdaloid) seizures and generalized MES seizures disturb normal reproductive physiology in the male rat. Amygdaloid-kindled seizures have mixed effects on different parameters of reproductive function, whereas MES seizures induce a transient hypogonadal state. These results suggest that reproductive dysfunction in men with epilepsy may result from seizure-related interference with the normal functions of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis.