Possible alpha-adrenergic involvement in nicotine induced alteration of spermatogenesis in rat.
Nicotine caused a fall in primary spermatocyte number together with a retardation of spermatocyte to spermatid conversions process. These effects of nicotine were possibly secondary to increased activity of adrenomedullary catecholamines, since the antispermatogenic effect of nicotine was prevented by phentolamine, a known blocker of catecholamine action at the alpha-receptor level.
D000818:Animals; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000502:physiology*; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009538:Nicotine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010646:Phentolamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic / Q000187:drug effects; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000187:drug effects; D013087:Spermatids / Q000187:drug effects; D013090:Spermatocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects
D002395:Catecholamines; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D009538:Nicotine; D010646:Phentolamine