Korean J Urol.  2003 Sep;44(9):924-928.

The Role of beta-Adrenergic Receptor in the Seminal Vesicle Contraction

• Ahn JH
• Myung SC
• Kim SC

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the role of beta-adrenergic receptors, and the relevance of NO-mediated & calcium channel-mediated signal transduction in seminal vesicle contractions.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Rabbit seminal vesicle strip preparations were applied to an organ bath system under standard condition. Smooth muscle contractions were induced by alpha and/or beta-adrenergic agonists (norepinephrine, phenylephrine, isoproterenol), and blocked by alpha (prazosin) and/or beta (propranolol)-blocker, an NO donor (sodium nitroprusside) and calcium channel blocker (verapamil). The contractility of the smooth muscle was measured by EC50.
RESULTS
Norepinephrine, phenylephrine and isoproterenol produced a sudden increase in the contractions of the smooth muscle. The order of the adrenergic agonists in relation to increases in the contractility was norepinephrine>phenylephrine>isoproterenol. The contractions induced by norepinephrine and phenylephrine were partially blocked by prazosin, and those by isoproterenol were completely blocked by propranolol. The contraction induced by norepinephrine was partially blocked by sodium nitroprusside and verapamil, in dose dependant manners.
CONCLUSIONS
Seminal vesicle contractions are mediated mostly by alpha-adrenergic receptors, and seem to be partly mediated by beta-adrenergic receptors. The contractility of seminal vesicle seems to be partly regulated by the NO-cGMP-cascade and calcium channel mediated signal transduction.

Keyword

Seminal vesicles; Adrenergic receptor; Nitroprusside; Verapamil

MeSH Terms

Adrenergic Agonists
Adrenergic beta-Agonists
Baths
Calcium
Calcium Channels
Humans
Isoproterenol
Muscle, Smooth
Nitroprusside
Norepinephrine
Phenylephrine
Prazosin
Propranolol
Receptors, Adrenergic
Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha
Receptors, Adrenergic, beta
Seminal Vesicles*
Signal Transduction
Tissue Donors
Verapamil
Adrenergic Agonists
Adrenergic beta-Agonists
Calcium
Calcium Channels
Isoproterenol
Nitroprusside
Norepinephrine
Phenylephrine
Prazosin
Propranolol
Receptors, Adrenergic
Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha
Receptors, Adrenergic, beta
Verapamil