Regulatory peptides in the mammalian urogenital system.
By immunocytochemistry a number of the gut/brain peptides have been demonstrated in nerve fibers of the mammalian urogenital tract. These peptides are localized to large vesicles in nerve terminals of afferent fibers or efferent nerves innervating blood vessels, non-vascular smooth muscle, lining epithelium and glands. There is evidence that some neuropeptides (VIP, NPY) participate in the local non-cholinergic, non-adrenergic nervous control of smooth muscle activity and blood flow, while other peptides (substance P, CGRP) seem to be sensory transmitters. It is likely that impaired function of the peptidergic nerves is involved in sexual dysfunction such as male impotence.
Fahrenkrug
J
J
Palle
C
C
Jørgensen
J
J
Ottesen
B
B
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000502:physiology*; D014566:Urogenital System / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*
D009479:Neuropeptides