Neuropeptides in the human penis: an immunohistochemical study.
In the present study, the distribution of neuropeptides in the human penis is demonstrated by immunohistochemistry (IHC). IHC screening detected a complex network of nerve fibers containing vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), peptide histidine-methionine (PHM), prepro-VIP (111-122), neuropeptide Y (NPY), C-flanking peptide of NPY (C-PON), calcitonin gene-related peptide, substance P, and galanin immunoreactivities. Special attention was also given to the recently isolated, VIP-related lizard peptide helospectin, which could also be detected in neuronal elements in the penis. Colocalization studies showed the coexistence of VIP, PHM, and partly helospectin, and of NPY with C-PON within nerve fibers in the cavernous and spongious body, the glans penis, and the urethra.
Hauser-Kronberger
C
C
Institute of Pathological Anatomy, Salzburg General Hospital, Austria.
Hacker
G W
GW
Graf
A H
AH
Mack
D
D
Sundler
F
F
Dietze
O
O
Frick
J
J
D000328:Adult; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000032:analysis; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000032:analysis; D019004:Galanin; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000032:analysis; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000032:analysis*; D010413:Penis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000294:innervation; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000032:analysis; D010455:Peptides / Q000032:analysis; D013373:Substance P / Q000032:analysis; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000032:analysis
D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D009479:Neuropeptides; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010455:Peptides; C048612:neuropeptide Y C-terminal flanking peptide; C091796:helospectin; D013373:Substance P; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D019004:Galanin; D002116:Calcitonin; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide