The role of extracellular ATP in the male reproductive tract.
- Author:
Wen-Liang ZHOU
1
;
Wu-Lin ZUO
;
Ye-Chun RUAN
;
Zhe WANG
;
Jian-Yang DU
;
Yuan XIONG
;
Hsiao-Chang CHAN
Author Information
1. Department of Physiology, School of Life Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China. billzhou200588@yahoo.com.cn
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Adenosine Triphosphate;
physiology;
Animals;
Epididymis;
physiology;
Epithelium;
physiology;
Humans;
Male;
Muscle Contraction;
Muscle, Smooth;
physiology;
Signal Transduction;
Urogenital System;
physiology;
Vas Deferens;
physiology
- From:
Acta Physiologica Sinica
2007;59(4):487-494
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
In addition to its well established role as a neurotransmitter, extracellular ATP has been considered as a paracrine/autocrine factor, either released from sperm or epithelial cells, in the male reproductive tract and shown to play a versatile role in modulating various reproductive functions. This review summarizes the signal pathways through which ATP induces anion secretion by the epithelia of the epididymis, as well as its epithelium-dependent modulation of smooth muscle contraction of the vas deferens. Finally, the overall role of ATP in coordinating various reproductive events in the male genital tract is discussed.
