Co-localization of nitric oxide synthase, neuropeptides and tyrosine hydroxylase in nerves supplying the human post-natal vas deferens and seminal vesicle.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the distribution and patterns of co-localization of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), neuropeptides and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in intrinsic nerves of the human post-natal vas deferens and seminal vesicle.


METHODS
Double and triple immunolabelling methods were used in tissue from 10 male infants and children (age range 2 months to 3 years) obtained at post-mortem examinations carried out within 12 h of death.


RESULTS
Most nerves supplying the muscle coat of either organ were TH-immunoreactive (-IR), most of which also contained neuropeptide Y (NPY) while a smaller proportion contained both NPY and NOS. Minor populations of the TH/NPY-IR intramuscular nerves contained calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), galanin (GAL), met-enkephalin (m-ENK) or vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). Non-TH-IR intramuscular nerves were relatively infrequent and most contained NPY and either VIP or NOS. Presumptive secretomotor nerves formed subepithelial plexuses in both organs, most of which contained NPY co-localized with either VIP or NOS, with minor populations containing CGRP and/or GAL. TH- and substance P (SP) -IR nerves were not observed subepithelially. Perivascular nerve plexuses were mainly formed by TH-IR varicose nerves, most of which contained co-localized NPY and CGRP, with a smaller proportion containing NPY and NOS and minor populations containing VIP, m-ENK, SP or GAL.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that the autonomic control of the human vas deferens and seminal vesicle is provided by several immunohistochemically distinct nerve populations. Furthermore, NOS is present in a proportion of both the noradrenergic and non-noradrenergic nerves. Pharmacological studies are now required to elucidate the precise roles of nitric oxide and neuropeptides in the functional control of these organs.
Jen
P Y
PY
Department of Anatomy, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin.
Dixon
J S
JS
Gosling
J A
JA
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000032:analysis; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine / Q000032:analysis; D019004:Galanin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000032:analysis; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000032:analysis*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000032:analysis*; D012669:Seminal Vesicles / Q000294:innervation*; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000032:analysis; D014649:Vas Deferens / Q000294:innervation*; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000032:analysis
D015415:Biomarkers; D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D009479:Neuropeptides; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine; D019004:Galanin; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide