Administration of acetylcholine to the spermatic nerve plexus inhibits testosterone secretion in an in vitro isolated rat testis-nerve plexus system.

Strong evidence indicated that spermatic nerves are involved in the regulation of testosterone secretion. Our previous work showed that the inferior spermatic nerves play a more significant role than the superior ones in the regulation of testosterone secretion. However, it is unknown whether traditional neurotransmitters are involved in this regulation. In order to evaluate this point, the present experiments were carried out in an in vitro system where an isolated testis-spermatic nerve plexus preparation was incubated in two separate containers, one for the testis and the other for the nerve plexus and both interconnected by the inferior spermatic nerves. Both tissues were maintained in the same environmental conditions except for the neurotransmitter treatment, applied only to the nerve plexus. Acetylcholine can significantly inhibit the secretion of testosterone until the end of incubation. The present experiments suggest that the secretion of testosterone could be regulated, at least in part, by acetylcholine through the inferior spermatic nerves.

[1]  B. D. Sloley,et al.  Regional distribution of dopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and noradrenaline in the rat vas deferens , 1988, Neurochemical Research.

[2]  M. Casais,et al.  Coeliac ganglion adrenergic activity modifies ovarian progesterone during pregnancy: its inter-relationship with LH. , 2001, The Journal of endocrinology.

[3]  A. Suburo,et al.  Differential Effects of Superior and Inferior Spermatic Nerves on Testosterone Secretion and Spermatic Blood Flow in Cats. , 1999, Endocrinology.

[4]  J. C. Cavicchia,et al.  Testicular denervation-induced nuclear changes in Leydig cell of hemicastrated adult rats. , 1998, Tissue & cell.

[5]  D. Stocco.  A StAR search: implications in controlling steroidgenesis. , 1997, Biology of reproduction.

[6]  W. Kempinas,et al.  Effects of guanethidine‐induced sympathectomy on the spermatogenic and steroidogenic testicular functions of prepubertal to mature rats , 2009, Andrologia.

[7]  Z. Csaba,et al.  Involvement of a direct neural mechanism in the control of gonadal functions , 1995, The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

[8]  A. Suburo,et al.  Monoaminergic and peptidergic contributions of the superior and the inferior spermatic nerves to the innervation of the testis in the rat. , 1995, Journal of andrology.

[9]  A. Rogol,et al.  Role of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein in adrenal and gonadal steroidogenesis. , 1995, Science.

[10]  M. Ritta,et al.  Catecholamine distribution in adult rat testis , 2009, Andrologia.

[11]  S. Ojeda,et al.  Guanethidine-mediated destruction of ovarian sympathetic nerves disrupts ovarian development and function in rats. , 1990, Endocrinology.

[12]  M. B. Campos,et al.  Serotonergic innervation of the rat testis. , 1990, Journal of reproduction and fertility.

[13]  S. Ojeda,et al.  Role of the Sympathetic Nervous System in the Regulation of Ovarian Function , 1989 .

[14]  P. Poyet,et al.  Characterization of beta-adrenergic receptors in dispersed rat testicular interstitial cells. , 1987, Journal of andrology.

[15]  W. H. Moger,et al.  Catecholamine stimulation of androgen production by rat Leydig cells. Interactions with luteinizing hormone and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone. , 1986, Biology of reproduction.

[16]  L. Pon,et al.  Acute cAMP stimulation in Leydig cells: rapid accumulation of a protein similar to that detected in adrenal cortex and corpus luteum. , 1986, Endocrine research.

[17]  P. Murphy,et al.  Characterization of beta-adrenergic binding sites on rodent Leydig cells. , 1985, Biology of reproduction.

[18]  S. Ojeda,et al.  OVARIAN ADRENERCIC NERVES PLAY A ROLE IN MAINTAINING PREOVULATORY STEROID SECRETION1 , 1984 .

[19]  J. C. Chapman,et al.  Hypophysectomy and hemivasectomy can inhibit the testicular hemicastration response of the mature rat. , 1984, Biology of reproduction.

[20]  S. Ojeda,et al.  Prepubertal ovarian function is finely regulated by direct adrenergic influences. Role of noradrenergic innervation. , 1984, Endocrinology.

[21]  S. Mccann,et al.  Effect of unilateral orchidectomy on plasma FSH concentration: evidence for a direct neural connection between testes and CNS. , 1983, Neuroendocrinology.

[22]  C. Dix,et al.  Catecholamine stimulation of testosterone production via cyclic AMP in mouse leydig cells in monolayer culture , 1982, Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology.

[23]  S. Ojeda,et al.  Ovarian beta-adrenergic receptors during the onset of puberty: characterization, distribution, and coupling to steroidogenic responses. , 1982, Endocrinology.

[24]  W. Wright,et al.  The hemicastrated rat: definition of a model for the study of the regulation of testicular steroidogenesis. , 1982, The Journal of endocrinology.

[25]  A. I. Frankel,et al.  A study of the first eight hours in the stabilization of plasma testosterone concentration in the hemicastrated rat. , 1982, The Journal of endocrinology.