The role of extracellular ATP in the male reproductive tract.
In addition to its well established role as a neurotransmitter, extracellular ATP has been considered as a paracrine/autocrine factor, either released from sperm or epithelial cells, in the male reproductive tract and shown to play a versatile role in modulating various reproductive functions. This review summarizes the signal pathways through which ATP induces anion secretion by the epithelia of the epididymis, as well as its epithelium-dependent modulation of smooth muscle contraction of the vas deferens. Finally, the overall role of ATP in coordinating various reproductive events in the male genital tract is discussed.
Zhou
Wen-Liang
WL
Department of Physiology, School of Life Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China. billzhou200588@yahoo.com.cn
Zuo
Wu-Lin
WL
Ruan
Ye-Chun
YC
Wang
Zhe
Z
DU
Jian-Yang
JY
Xiong
Yuan
Y
Chan
Hsiao-Chang
HC
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D004822:Epididymis / Q000502:physiology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014566:Urogenital System / Q000502:physiology*; D014649:Vas Deferens / Q000502:physiology
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate