Reduction in libido and fertility of male rats by administration of the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester.

The role of nitric oxide (NO) in libido and fertility of male rats was investigated by administration of the NO synthase inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (25 or 50 mg/kg/day). L-NAME caused marked reduction of precoital sexual behaviour, and a failure of most rats to mount or ejaculate during the test interval. In most matings that were successful, recovered spermatozoa were present in normal numbers. In mating experiments, L-NAME profoundly reduced the fertility of male rats. In those animals that did succeed in mating, the quantal pregnancy and the number of implants were reduced. After cessation of treatment with L-NAME, the fertility parameters returned close to normal. The inactive stereoisomer, D-NAME, caused none of the above effects when administered to rats. The results suggest that NO is essential for the expression of normal libido and fertility in male rats. It is likely that NO is required both in the male reproductive tract and in the brain.