title: Characterization of immunoreactive arginine vasopressin (AVP) in and effects of AVP on isolated human penile erectile tissues.
abstract: Arginine vasopressin (AVP), which has been shown to have a marked contractant effect on human penile erectile tissues, particularly the corpus spongiosum (CS), was demonstrated to occur in these tissues. Out of nine CS samples, eight contained vasopressin-like immunoreactivity in concentrations ranging from 3.5 to 107.2 fmol./gm. wet weight. These amounts suggest that the hormone is taken up and/or synthesized locally. The effects of four different vasopressin antagonists were characterized on human CS strips, and they were found to effectively inhibit the contractile response to exogenous AVP. However, none of these antagonists had any effects on electrically induced contractions in penile erectile tissues. These results do not favour the view that AVP is released on electrical stimulation in amounts that contract the erectile tissues. Whether or not the peptide is involved in the mechanisms controlling penile erection remains unclear.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects*; D010413:Penis / Q000032:analysis* / Q000187:drug effects; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D011945:Receptors, Angiotensin / Q000187:drug effects; D017483:Receptors, Vasopressin; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D011945:Receptors, Angiotensin; D017483:Receptors, Vasopressin; D014667:Vasopressins; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin