Formaldehyde Inhibits Sexual Behavior and Expression of Steroidogenic Enzymes in the Testes of Mice.

Background: Formaldehyde, a ubiquitous environmental pollutant, is used extensively and has been proved to impair male reproduction in mammals. However, no trials have explored whether formaldehyde affects sexual function.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of long-term formaldehyde exposure on sexual behavior and to investigate the potential mechanism.

Effects of Saikokaryukotsuboreito on Spermatogenesis and Fertility in Aging Male Mice.

Background: Aspermia caused by exogenous testosterone limit its usage in late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) patients desiring fertility. Saikokaryukotsuboreito (SKRBT) is reported to improve serum testosterone and relieve LOH-related symptoms. However, it is unclear whether SKRBT affects fertility.

Effects of velvet antler polypeptide on sexual behavior and testosterone synthesis in aging male mice.

Twenty-four-month-old male C57BL/6 mice with low serum testosterone levels were used as a late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) animal model for examining the effects of velvet antler polypeptide (VAP) on sexual function and testosterone synthesis. These mice received VAP for 5 consecutive weeks by daily gavage at doses of 100, 200, or 300 mg kg-1 body weight per day (n = 10 mice per dose). Control animals (n = 10) received the same weight-based volume of vehicle.

A herbal medicine, saikokaryukotsuboreito, improves serum testosterone levels and affects sexual behavior in old male mice.

Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) is a clinical syndrome characterized with aging and declined serum testosterone levels. Sexual symptoms are also essential for the diagnosis of LOH. Testosterone replacement therapy is used widely to treat LOH.

Anti-fibrotic effects via regulation of transcription factor Sp1 on hepatic stellate cells.

Background: Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the central cells in hepatic fibrosis, are characterized by sustaining activation, a process that consists in increased proliferation and over-expression of fibrotic genes. Transcription factor Sp1 mediates the expression of a variety of fibrotic genes expression and thereby play an important role in fibrosis. In addition, previous reports have indicated that Sp1 binding activity is greatly increased in activated HSCs.