The major pelvic ganglion is the main source of nitric oxide synthase-containing nerve fibers in penile erectile tissue of the rat.
The possible implication of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in penile erection was examined by utilizing NADPH histochemistry in the rat. NADPH histochemistry indicated that the major pelvic ganglion (MPG), a well-known origin of nerve fibers supplying the external genitalia, contained many NOS-positive neurons. On the other hand, NOS-positive nerve fibers in penile erectile tissue observed in the walls of both arteries and veins, as well as in intrinsic smooth muscles. The retrograde tracing study with Fluoro-Gold (FG) in combination with NADPH histochemistry revealed that almost all MPG neurons which were retrogradely labeled with FG injected into the penile crura were NOS-positive. Thus, the MPG was considered to be the main source of NOS-positive nerve fibers in penile erectile tissue.
Ding
Y Q
YQ
Department of Anatomy, Fourth Military Medical University, People's Republic of China.
Wang
Y Q
YQ
Qin
B Z
BZ
Li
J S
JS
D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D005725:Ganglia, Autonomic / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D008297:Male; D009249:NADP / Q000378:metabolism; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000201:enzymology*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000502:physiology*; D010413:Penis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000294:innervation*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013266:Stilbamidines
C049774:2-hydroxy-4,4'-diamidinostilbene, methanesulfonate salt; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D013266:Stilbamidines; D009249:NADP; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases