Autonomic nerves versus prostaglandins in the control of rat and rabbit testicular capsular contractions in vivo and in vitro

Journal Article · Tue Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1976 · Biol. Reprod.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod14.5.651· OSTI ID:7240301

Hargrove, J L; Ellis, L C

The tonus and rate of spontaneous contractions measured in vivo from the tunica albuginea of rabbit testes were augmented by epinephrine, acetylcholine and prostaglandin (PG)F/sub 2 alpha/. Neither reserpine, dibenamine nor atropine decreased autorhythmic contractility. Indomethacin injections ip significantly decreased the mean amplitude of testicular contractions. This treatment effaced motility in two of eleven preparations. Injections of 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid (TYA) did not significantly decrease the amplitude of contraction. Electrical stimulation of the spermatic artery (site of the spermatic nerve) in rabbits and in rats failed to alter testicular tonus or motility. The above evidence suggests that local factors such as PGs may contribute more to smooth muscle activity in the tunica albuginea of rabbit testes than do autonomic nerves. The rhythmical contractions observed in vivo, however, continued in the presence of indomethacin in the bathing medium, and may not require stimulation by PGs for their origination. Rat testes, unlike rabbit testes, did not contract rhythmically in vivo. Isolated rat testes contracted in response to administered PGF/2 alpha/, while PGE/sub 1/ abolished the induced contraction. Such modulators of muscular tonus feasibly could alter intratesticular pressure for the intact animal.

• Research Organization: Utah State Univ., Logan
• OSTI ID: 7240301
• Journal Information: Biol. Reprod.; (United States), Journal Name: Biol. Reprod.; (United States) Vol. 14:5; ISSN BIREB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

551000* -- Physiological Systems
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ACETYLCHOLINE
ADRENAL HORMONES
ADRENALINE
ALKALOIDS
AMINES
AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS
ANIMALS
ARTERIES
ATROPINE
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
AZOLES
BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS
BLOOD VESSELS
BODY
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
CONTRACTION
DRUGS
ELECTRICITY
ESTERS
GONADS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
HORMONES
IN VITRO
IN VIVO
INDOLES
MALE GENITALS
MAMMALS
MOTION
MUSCLES
NERVOUS SYSTEM
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PARASYMPATHOLYTICS
PARASYMPATHOMIMETICS
PROSTAGLANDINS
PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS
PYRROLES
QUATERNARY COMPOUNDS
RABBITS
RATS
RESERPINE
RODENTS
STEROID HORMONES
SYMPATHOMIMETICS
TESTES
TRANQUILIZERS
VERTEBRATES