Genes that regulate male sexual desire are discovered, which may help treat decreased libido and sex addiction
Studies in mice reportedly identified genes that regulate male libido. It is hoped that this discovery will lead to the emergence of treatments for
Brain Aromatase and the Regulation of Sexual Activity in Male Mice | Endocrinology | Oxford Academic
https://academic.oup.com/endo/article/161/10/bqaa137/5895007
Site of male sexual desire uncovered in brain | EurekAlert! Science News
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-09/nu-som091120.php
Mens' Sex Drive May Rise and Fall Due to One Brain Enzyme | Psychology Today
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/202009/mens-sex-drive-may-rise-and-fall-due-one-brain-enzyme
Gene in the brain of men controls sex drive, study finds | Daily Mail Online
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8734801/Gene-brain-men-controls-sex-drive-study-finds.html
Previous studies have shown that an enzyme called aromatase is involved in the process of converting testosterone , a male hormone, to estrogen , a female hormone, but the role of aromatase in the brain is well understood. I didn't.
Therefore, a research team led by Serdar Bulun, a gynecologist at Northwestern University in the United States, removed ' CYP19A1 ', a genome involved in aromatase synthesis, from the brains of male mice and female mice. I conducted an experiment to put it in a cage with a mouse.
As a result, male mice from which CYP19A1 was removed had a 50% reduction in sexual behavior compared to normal male mice, even though their blood testosterone levels were high.
'When you combine a normal male mouse with a female mouse, they try to chase and mate with the female, but when you genetically knock out the brain aromatase gene, CYP19A1, they try to mate,' said Bulun. Sexual behavior has decreased significantly and mating frequency has decreased. '
by NIMR London
'Aromatase is a key enzyme in estrogen production, and estrogen works in both men and women. Our study shows that aromatase can stimulate male libido,' said Hong Zhao, co-author of the paper. Found that testosterone needs to be converted to estrogen, 'said Estrogen, which is historically called the female hormone for the development of male libido. He said that conversion is essential.
The researchers believe that this finding will help treat a variety of libido-related symptoms. According to Bulun, by strengthening the action of aromatase and improving libido, it may be possible to treat the impaired libido caused by the side effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors used in the treatment of depression. thing.
In addition, systemic aromatase inhibitors can be used to treat compulsive libido, but aromatase inhibitors are known to have side effects such as osteoporosis, which reduces bone strength. 'Currently, new drugs are under development that only suppress the action of the aromatase gene in the brain. This new drug will not have the side effects of current aromatase inhibitors,' said Bulun. Did.
In the future, the research team will investigate whether inhibitors and activators of aromatase that act only on the brain will be realized, and whether drug therapy using them will be effective not only for mice but also for human males. It is planned to proceed.
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