Erectile dysfunction is an extremely prevalent condition globally and is estimated to have doubled since 1995. Although several risk factors including ageing, genetic mutation, and environmental factors (such as smoking) play a role, they do not fully account for this rapid increase. Thus, we must identify novel risk factors for erectile dysfunction. The corpus cavernosum (CC) is a critical vascular structure which mediates erection via relaxation of the smooth muscle, which in turn engorges the penis with blood. Given that vascular physiology and developmental patterning of the CC are exceptionally sensitive to endocrine signaling, endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may alter these pathways to increase the risk of erectile dysfunction.
We exposed isolated adult mouse CC samples to the potent estrogenic-EDC diethylstilbestrol (DES) and the phytoestrogen genistein. In addition, male mice were subjected to systemic DES exposure via drinking water at environmentally relevant levels during sexual development. Using our optimized ex vivo wire myography protocol, we examined contractility and relaxation of treated CC samples and mesenteric arteries.
Isolated and systemic EDC exposure significantly altered CC relaxation and constriction, respectively. Systemic DES exposure also significantly altered constriction of the mesenteric arteries. These results suggest that EDC exposure is a likely risk factor for erectile dysfunction and that dietary EDC exposure impacts not only erectile function but the cardiovascular system. Indeed, erectile dysfunction is a well-established symptom of cardiovascular disease, a leading cause of death globally. Our study is one of few addressing these links, thus it is critical to continue these experiments to further elucidate the impacts of EDCs on sexual and cardiovascular health.