Localization of Androgen Receptor in Nitric Oxide Synthase- and Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide-Containing Neurons of the Major Pelvic Ganglion Innervating the Rat Penis

Neurons of the rat major pelvic ganglia provide innervation to the pelvic organs and external genitalia. In these ganglia, a subpopulation of neurons containing either nitric oxide synthase or vasoactive intestinal peptide or both molecules, is involved in penile erection. The androgen dependence of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of neuroendocrinology 1997-02, Vol.9 (2), p.141-150
Main Authors: Schirar, A., Chang, C., Rousseau, J. P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amidines
Animals
Axonal Transport
Fluorescent Dyes
Ganglia - chemistry
Immunohistochemistry
Life Sciences
Male
Neurons - chemistry
Nitric Oxide Synthase - analysis
Penis - innervation
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Receptors, Androgen - analysis
Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide - analysis
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Summary:Neurons of the rat major pelvic ganglia provide innervation to the pelvic organs and external genitalia. In these ganglia, a subpopulation of neurons containing either nitric oxide synthase or vasoactive intestinal peptide or both molecules, is involved in penile erection. The androgen dependence of penile erection is a well established fact. After castration, decreased testosterone levels have been documented to produce erectile dysfunction possibly resulting from functional alterations in major pelvic ganglion neurons. It was therefore of interest to investigate the presence of androgen receptor within these ganglionic neurons.
ISSN:0953-8194
1365-2826
DOI:10.1046/j.1365-2826.1997.00557.x