Sleep deprivation (SD) causes alterations in the function of the endocannabinoid (EC) system and also results in alteration in many behaviors such as increased anxiety, deteriorated alertness, memory deficits, as well as sexual behaviors. Controversial data about the effects of SD on sexual response are provided. Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the enzymes involved in the degradation of the EC system play an important role in the function of the EC system. This study aimed to investigate the effect of REM SD (RSD) and total SD (TSD) on the sexual behaviors and FAAH expression in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of male rats. RSD was carried out through the flower pot technique for 24 h and 48 h, and TSD also was induced by keeping awake the rats by gentle handling for 6 h. Immediately after RSD and TSD, sexual behaviors were recorded for 45 minutes. Sexual behaviors were reduced by both types of RSD and TSD. The deleterious effects of 24 h RSD were more severe compared with 6 h of TSD. Serum testosterone concentration was significantly higher after TSD but not RSD compared to the normal sleep (NS) group. FAAH expression in the PFC was significantly reduced after both RSD and TSD compared to the NS group. Given that the function of the EC system has been previously shown to change different behaviors such as sexual activity, our results could suggest that behavioral effects of both types of SD on sexual behavior may partially result from activation of this signaling pathway by the reduction of FAAH in the PFC.

睡眠剥夺（SD）会导致内源性大麻素（EC）系统功能发生变化，并导致许多行为发生变化，例如焦虑增加，机敏性下降，记忆力减退以及性行为。提供了有关SD对性反应影响的有争议数据。脂肪酸酰胺水解酶（FAAH）是参与EC系统降解的酶，在EC系统的功能中起着重要作用。本研究旨在探讨REM SD（RSD）和总SD（TSD）对雄性大鼠前额叶皮层（PFC）性行为和FAAH表达的影响。RSD通过花盆技术进行24小时和48小时，并且通过轻柔处理保持清醒的大鼠6小时来诱导TSD。在RSD和TSD发生后，立即记录了45分钟的性行为。RSD和TSD都减少了性行为。与6小时的TSD相比，24小时的RSD的有害作用更为严重。与正常睡眠（NS）组相比，TSD后血清睾丸激素浓度显着升高，而RSD则没有。与NS组相比，RSD和TSD后PFC中FAAH的表达均显着降低。鉴于先前已证明EC系统的功能会改变不同的行为，例如性行为，我们的结果可能表明，两种SD对性行为的行为影响可能部分是由于FAAH的减少激活了该信号通路在PFC中。与正常睡眠（NS）组相比，TSD后血清睾丸激素浓度显着升高，而RSD未升高。与NS组相比，RSD和TSD后PFC中FAAH的表达均显着降低。鉴于先前已证明EC系统的功能会改变不同的行为，例如性行为，我们的结果可能表明，两种SD对性行为的行为影响可能部分是由于FAAH的减少激活了该信号通路在PFC中。与正常睡眠（NS）组相比，TSD后血清睾丸激素浓度显着升高，而RSD则没有。与NS组相比，RSD和TSD后PFC中FAAH的表达均显着降低。鉴于先前已证明EC系统的功能会改变不同的行为，例如性行为，我们的结果可能表明，两种SD对性行为的行为影响可能部分是由于FAAH的减少激活了该信号通路在PFC中。