Occurrence of priapism after transient right MCAO in Swiss albino mice

Abstract

Introduction: There are few reports about sexual problems in animal models after stroke. The aim of this paper is to report the occurrence of priapism after right MCAO in Swiss albino mice. In addition, we compared neurological score and apoptosis between the priapism-affected and unaffected mice.

Methods: Swiss albino mice were subjected to 45 min’ MCAO and 7 days’ reperfusion. Mice were observed before MCAO, then daily for 7 days to assess priapism. Neurological status and apoptosis (TUNEL assay) were assessed and compared in priapism and non-priapism mice.

Results: The results showed that the incidence of priapism after MCAO in Swiss albino mice were 65%. Priapism was detectable often at day 2 after stroke. Priapism-affected group had more severe behavioural deficits after stroke compared to non-priapism stroke mice.

Conclusion: Priapism after right MCAO is not rare in albino mice and could be considered as a marker of stroke severity. Further studies are needed to assess the incidence of priapism after stroke in other animal species used for stroke studies such as rat.

Keywords:

• Priapism
• hypersexuality
• cerebral ischaemia
• neurological assessment
• apoptosis

Acknowledgements

The authors appreciate Dr. Alireza Sameni for his help and support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.