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Assessment of Sexual Behavior of Male Mice
Published on: March 5, 2020
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Sexual behavior and testis morphology in the BACHD rat model
Arianna Novati1,2, Libo Yu-Taeger1,2, Irene Gonzalez Menendez3
1Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
Plos One
|June 9, 2018
Summary
Huntington disease (HD) rat models show altered sexual behavior in males at 3 months. While testes morphology is unaffected, mutated huntingtin (mHTT) is found in Sertoli cells, suggesting potential pathways for sexual disturbances in HD patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- Huntington disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by huntingtin (HTT) gene mutations.
- HD leads to brain and peripheral pathology, including potential testicular effects and reported sexual disturbances in patients.
- The BACHD rat model carries a mutated HTT (mHTT) gene and exhibits HD-like neuropathological and behavioral changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sexual behavior and performance in BACHD rats.
- To analyze testis morphology and the presence of mHTT in testicular tissue.
- To correlate findings with known sexual disturbances in Huntington disease.
Main Methods:
- Mating tests were conducted on 3- and 7-month-old BACHD rats to assess sexual behavior parameters.
- Histological and immunohistochemical analyses examined testis morphology and mHTT presence at various ages (1.5, 7, 12 months).
- Western blot analyzed HTT and mHTT expression in striatum and testis at 3 months.
Main Results:
- At 3 months, BACHD rats displayed altered sexual behavior, including reduced anogenital area exploration and increased mounting/ejaculation frequency.
- At 7 months, most sexual parameters normalized, except for decreased anogenital exploration.
- No testicular morphological alterations were found, but mHTT was detected in Sertoli cells; testicular mHTT expression was lower than in the striatum.
Conclusions:
- The BACHD rat model's testicular phenotype does not fully replicate human HD testis changes.
- Altered sexual behavior in 3-month-old BACHD rats may reflect pathways involved in human HD sexual disturbances.
- Further research into BACHD rat sexual phenotype mechanisms could elucidate sexual behavior changes in Huntington disease.
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