L-arginine, the substrate of nitric oxide synthase, inhibits fertility of male rats |
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Authors: | Ratnasooriya W D Dharmasiri M G |
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Affiliation: | Department of Zoology, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. dappvr@sltnet.lk |
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Abstract: | AIM: To examine the effect of L-arginine, the substrate of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, on reproductive function of male rats. METHODS: Male rats were gavaged with either L-arginine (100 or 200 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), D-arginine (200 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) or vehicle (0.9% NaCl) for seven consecutive days. Their sexual behaviour and fertility were evaluated using receptive females. RESULTS: L-arginine (200 mg/kg) had no significant effect on sexual competence (in terms of sexual arousal, libido, sexual vigour and sexual performance). In mating experiments, the higher dose of L-arginine effectively and reversibly inhibited fertility, whilst the lower dose and the inactive stereoisomer D-arginine had no significant effect. The antifertility effect caused by L-arginine was due to a profound elevation in the preimplantation loss mediated possibly by impairment in epididymal sperm maturation, hyperactivated sperm motility and sperm capacitation. CONCLUSION: Elevated NO production may be detrimental to male fertility. |
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Keywords: | L-arginine nitric oxide fertility libido sex behavior pre-implantation loss sperm motility contraceptives |
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