Proerectile effects of apomorphine in mice

Dopaminergic pathways play a key role in the central control of sexual behavior. Stimulation of central dopaminergic receptors elicits penile erection in a variety of species and has been proposed as a treatment option for erectile dysfunction in humans. The present study investigated the proerectile effects of apomorphine in mice. In this species, subcutaneous injection of apomorphine (range: 0.11-110 mug/kg sc) elicited three different behavioral responses: erection, erection-like responses and genital grooming. Proerectile effects of apomorphine were dose-dependent. More than 50% of mice displayed erections after administration of 1.1-11 mug/kg of apomorphine sc. Proerectile effects of apomorphine were blocked by haloperidol, a central D2 antagonist, but not by domperidone, a peripherally active dopaminergic antagonist. We conclude that apomorphine elicits erection in mice. This effect is dose-dependent and due to activation of central D2 dopaminergic receptors. The mouse model may be useful for pharmacological approaches designed to provide a better understanding of the central mechanisms of penile erection and sexual behavior. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Science Inc.