The effect of long-term castration on the histochemically demonstrable catecholamines in the hypogastric ganglion of the rat.
The effect of long-term castration on the hypogastric ganglion of the rat was studied using the formaldehyde-induced fluorescence (FIF) method. After castration the fluorescence intensity was lower and the size of the adrenergic neurons was smaller than in normal or in testosterone-treated castrated rats. The fluorescence profile of the ganglia of castrated rats differed from the profiles of control or testosterone-treated castrated rats. Vacuolated neurons were seen in the hypogastric ganglion of controls but not in the ganglia of castrated animals. After long-term castration the size of the ventral prostate was drastically reduced. The density of adrenergic nerves was similar in castrated, normal and testosterone-treated castrated rats. It is concluded that long-term castration has an effect on adrenergic neurons by decreasing the FIF and by producing other morphological changes. The effect can be reversed by testosterone treatment.
D000320:Adrenergic Fibers; D000818:Animals; D002369:Castration; D005728:Ganglia, Sympathetic / Q000378:metabolism*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D007001:Hypogastric Plexus / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D011467:Prostate / Q000294:innervation; D051381:Rats; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors
D013739:Testosterone