Physiological and pharmacological impact of oxytocin on epididymal propulsion during the ejaculatory process in rodents and men.

ABSTRACT: During the emission phase of ejaculation, the sperm is driven from the cauda epididymidis, where it is stored, through the vas deferens by strong contractions. These contractions are thought of as being mainly induced by the sympathetic nervous system and the neurotransmitter noradrenaline. In the present study, we investigated the effect of oxytocin (suggested to exert effects during ejaculation as well) on defined segments of the rat and human epididymis using live imaging. Our results indicate that it is the very last part of the epididymis, segment 19 (S19) in rat and likewise segment 9 in human, which responds in a uniquely strong and rapid manner to oxytocin (similar to noradrenaline). Because of the complex nature of this contractile response, we developed an imaging analysis method

SUBMITTER: Stadler B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12315941 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature