(054) Erectile Dysfunction in Young Adulthood as a Consequence of Early Childhood Obesity
Authors: Rodrigues Dos Passos Junior R , Moura K , Vieira Dos Santos C , Townsend P , Wilson E , Torres Uchoa E , Mccarthy C , Wenceslau C , Ceravolo G , Webb RC , Priviero F 
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Childhood obesity is a worrisome health concern for children and teenagers, as it can contribute to several health issues in adulthood, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. These conditions have been associated with sexual dysfunction. However, the precise impact of early childhood obesity on erectile function in adult males remains uncertain.

Objective

We hypothesized that overfeeding during early childhood can have lasting effects on body fat distribution, blood pressure, and erectile function in young adult males.

Methods

On postnatal day (PND 1), Wistar rats were separated into two groups: normal litter (NL) with 10 pups per dam, or small litter (SL) with 3 pups per dam. Male rats (n = 8-10 per group) were then assessed at two different time points: during the prepubertal stage (PND 40) and in adulthood (PND 120). Erectile function was assessed only after sexual maturation (i.e., on PND 120). Body weight, retroperitoneal and perigonadal adipose tissue (fat pad weight/100g of the body) were evaluated. The mean blood pressure (MBP) was recorded in conscious rats using the indirect tail-cuff method. Following euthanasia at PND 120, the corpus cavernosum was removed to perform functional studies using a strip myograph. Contractile and relaxation responses were evaluated by electrical field stimulation (EFS) and concentration-response curves (CRC) to phenylephrine [Phe, 1nM-30μM, millinewton (mN)] or acetylcholine (Ach 1nM-30μM, % relaxation) were performed.

Results

At the prepubertal stage, SL rats had higher body weight (NL 149±3 vs. SL 186±5, g, p&lt;0.05), and increased retroperitoneal (NL 0.17±0.01 vs. SL 0.32±0.03, g, p&lt;0.05) and perigonadal (NL 0.38± 0.02 vs. SL 0.45±0.03, g, p&lt;0.05) adipose tissue. At PND 120, SL group presented increased body weight (NL 534±13vs. SL 631.6±10, g/100g, p&lt;0.05), retroperitoneal (NL 1.31±0.11vs. SL 1.82±0.14, g/100g, p&lt;0.05) and perigonadal (NL1.74±0.10vs. SL 2.18±0.15, g/100g, p&lt;0.05) adipose tissue when compared with NL group. Moreover, SL rats presented increased MBP (NL 114.9±0.58 vs SL 120.5±1.2, mmHg). The corpus cavernosum of SL rats at PND 120 had increased contraction induced by EFS for all frequencies (1 Hz: NL 0.5 ± 0.2 mN vs SL 0.9 ± 0.2 mN; 4 Hz: NL 1.2 ± 0.3 mN vs SL 1.8 ± 0.2 mN; 16 Hz: NL 1.9 ± 0.4 mN vs SL 3 ± 0.4 mN), whereas the relaxation was decreased (1 Hz: NL 0.77 ± 0.18% vs SL 0.27 ± 0.09%; 4 Hz: NL 2.48 ± 0.26% vs SL 1.36 ± 0.41%; 16 Hz: NL 3.06 ± 0.28% vs SL 2.39 ± 0.53%). CRC showed increased contractile response to Phe (Emax NL 2.3±0.3 vs. SL 3.8± 0.6, mN, p=0.05) and reduced potency of ACh (pEC50 NL 6.4±0.6 vs SL 4.9±0.7, mN, p=0.1) in the corpus cavernosum of SL. Incubation with indomethacin (10uM) abolished the differences in the contractile response induced by EFS or Phe between SL and NL, suggesting a heightened inflammatory response.

Conclusions

These data suggest that early childhood obesity has long-lasting negative implications on sexual function in adulthood.

Disclosure

No.