Spinal Contusion Injury-Induced Ejaculatory Dysfunction Is Reduced by Intrathecal Infusions of Gastrin Releasing...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Urology
• Reproductive Medicine

Background:

• Spinal cord injury (SCI) severely impacts urogenital functions, particularly ejaculation.
• The spinal ejaculation generator (SEG), involving lumbar spinothalamic (LSt) cells releasing gastrin releasing peptide (GRP), controls ejaculation.
• Reduced GRP expression in LSt cells is linked to ejaculatory dysfunction post-SCI.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if GRP infusions can restore ejaculatory reflexes in male rats with SCI.
• To determine the role of GRP in the spinal ejaculation generator (SEG) following SCI.

Main Methods:

• Male rats underwent spinal contusion (SCI) or sham treatment.
• Following SCI, intrathecal infusions of GRP or saline were administered.
• Ejaculatory reflexes were recorded, with and without dorsal penile nerve (DPN) stimulation at varying frequencies.

Main Results:

• GRP infusions, but not saline, triggered and facilitated ejaculatory reflexes in both SCI and sham groups.
• These effects were consistent regardless of whether supraspinal influence was removed via spinal transection.
• Results indicate reduced GRP contributes to ejaculatory dysfunction after SCI.

Conclusions:

• Gastrin releasing peptide (GRP) plays a crucial role in ejaculatory function.
• GRP administration shows potential for treating sexual dysfunction following spinal cord injury (SCI).