Evidence for Peripheral Effect of Serotonin on Ejaculatory Response.
- Author:
Jae Seung PAICK
1
;
Dal Woo PARK
;
Hwancheol SON
;
Sung Ho LEE
;
Soo Woong KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Urology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Clinical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea. jspaick@snu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:In Vitro ; Original Article
- Keywords:
Ejaculation;
Serotonin;
Peripheral
- MeSH:
Animals;
Brain;
Clomipramine;
Ejaculation;
Fluoxetine;
Humans;
Male;
Polymerase Chain Reaction;
Rats;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley;
Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A;
Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C;
RNA;
RNA, Messenger;
Seminal Vesicles;
Serotonin Agents;
Serotonin*;
Vas Deferens
- From:Korean Journal of Andrology
2001;19(3):163-171
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: Although serotonin (5-HT) has been implicated in central control of sexual desire, erection and ejaculation, its peripheral effect has been poorly studied. Here, we investigated the peripheral effects of 5-HT on ejaculation using in vivo and in vitro experiments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (weighed 250-300 g) were injected intravenously with serotonergic agents (serotonin, fluoxetine, clomipramine) at various concentrations 20 min before electrical nerve stimulation of the hypogastric nerve. Intraluminal pressure of seminal vesicle and vas deferens was measured on each side in the same animal and compared. Total RNA was isolated from brain, seminal vesicle and vas deferens. Expressions of mRNAs for 5-HT(1A), 5-HT(1B) and 5-HT(2C) receptors, which have been suggested for ejaculatory responses, were examined using semi-quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: All serotonergic agents caused dose-dependent inhibition of elevation in intraluminal pressure of the seminal vesicle. Vasal pressure responses were effectively inhibited by clomipramine and serotonin (clomipramine>serotonin), whereas no effect was seen by fluoxetine. There was no significant difference in relative expression levels of 5-HT(1A) receptor mRNAs between the seminal vesicle and vas deferens. However, the expression levels of 5-HT(1B) and 5-HT(2C) receptors mRNAs were lower in the vas deferens when comparing to those in the seminal vesicle. CONCLUSIONS: These results of in vivo and in vitro experiments provide evidence for the peripheral role of 5-HT in regulating ejaculatory response of male rats. Regional differences in distributions of 5-HT receptor subtypes between seminal vesicle and vas may contribute to the different response to serotonergic agents in these organs.
