title: Physiology of the vas deferens.
abstract: Seminal emission occurs in response to rhythmic contractions of male secondary sex organs, including the vas deferens. Although contraction of the vas is directly due to adrenergic mechanisms, numerous substances modulate the release of norepinephrine from sympathetic pathways. These substances include local endogenous factors and neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine and NPY. Many substances are capable of altering the contractility of the vas deferens by modulating neural transmitter release or the basal tone of this smooth muscle. Because multiple pathways and substrates are capable of affecting its contractility, it is not surprising that drugs and metabolic disorders influence the function of the vas deferens and, ultimately, male fertility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University of Virginia, School of Medicine, Charlottesville 22908.
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Steers
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D019004:Galanin; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000502:physiology*; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D010191:Pancreatic Polypeptide / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D010455:Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D013373:Substance P / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission; D014649:Vas Deferens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D009479:Neuropeptides; D010455:Peptides; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin; D013373:Substance P; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D010191:Pancreatic Polypeptide; D019004:Galanin; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide